DULUTH, Ga. (February 24, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm and Albany FireWolves go head-to-head for the first time this season on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 P.M. ET. This matchup sees Lyle Thompson and Jeremy Thompson in Swarm threads face their other brother Hiana Thompson who plays for the FireWolves.
The Georgia Swarm (0-7) are still on the hunt for their first win of the season as they last fell, 16-7 to the Toronto Rock. The Albany FireWolves (2-6) also look to turn things around as they are on a four-game losing streak, most recently dropping, 12-10 to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs.
The Swarm hold a 27-17 advantage over the FireWolves in the all-time series, marking 15 wins at home. Last season, Georgia posted a 2-1 record against Albany, winning one at home and away, recording a 15-12 comeback victory on the road.
After a five-point effort last week, Thompson is second on the team in points (34) and assists (17) while ranking first in goals (17). Andrew Kew continues to top the team in points (38) and assists (25) while following Lyle Thompson in goals with 13.
Georgia’s offense ranks first in power-play record, landing 17-of-27 (63 percent) man-up opportunities between the pipes. Last game, Georgia went 4-for-4 on power plays while leaving Toronto unsuccessful on 2-of-3 man-up attempts. Albany’s forwards have been struggling on power plays, converting 14-of-35 (40 percent) while their defense ranks ninth, killing 14-of-27 (52 percent) power plays.
Albany’s top offensive threat this season is Kieran McArdle, totaling 39 points (14G, 25A). Following McArdle in points but leading the pack in goals is Connor Kelly with 35 and 15, respectfully. Former Swarm forward Ethan Walker returns to Gas South Arena ranking fourth in Albany points (24), third in goals (13), and fourth in assists (11).
Brett Dobson and Craig Wende continue to share time between the pipes as Dobson logs 240 minutes and Wende totals 181 minutes this season. Over the course of seven games Dobson posts 150 saves, a .730 save percentage, and a 13.79 goals against average. Wende records 115 saves, a .740 save percentage, and a 13.29 goals against average. The starting netminder for Albany is Doug Jamieson who registers 252 saves, a .770 save percentage, and a 12.47 goals against average across seven games played.
Georgia welcomed back John Ranagan to the squad this week after an exchange with the Philadelphia Wings. Ranagan suited up with the Swarm from 2017-2019 winning on NLL Champions Cup (2017) and a Teammate of the Year accolade (2019). This season, Ranagan has played four games with the Wings, recording nine points (5G, 4A), 56 loose balls, and nine forced turnovers
This Saturday, the Georgia Swarm debut their School Spirit Night jerseys, honoring local high school and lacrosse programs. 20 local program logos are displayed on the back of our in game jersey and after the game, Swarm players will give their game worn jersey back to the organizations so they can hang it in their schools and locker rooms.
The Swarm and FireWolves play each other back-to-back, hitting the road to play in MVP Arena next Saturday, March 4 at 7:00 P.M. ET. This marks the third back-to-back series against the same team Georgia has faced this season, seeing Buffalo and Toronto twice in a row earlier this year.
Where to Watch:
- Watch LIVE and in person for tickets as low as $15 a seat at georgiaswarm.com/tickets
- ESPN+ – Use your ESPN+ account (or create a new one) to watch the game live Saturday, February 25, 2023, and all season long
- Watch in person at six Gwinnett County Taco Mac locations: Buford, Cumming, Duluth, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville & Suwanee
- TSN – If located in Canada, you can log into your TSN account to watch the game live Saturday, February 25, 2023, and all season long
Milestones:
- Brendan Bomberry needs three loose balls to reach 200 in his career.
- Shayne Jackson needs eight goals to reach 300 in his career.
- Jeremy Thompson needs 25 faceoff wins to pass Jamie Hanford for third place in league history with 2092.
- Adam Wiedemann needs 14 loose balls to reach 300 in his career
Swarm Spotlight:
- Georgia totals the least penalty minutes in the league, averaging 8.4 per game this season
- The Swarm’s offense ranks number one in league power play record, sinking 17-of-27 ( 63 percent) man-up opportunities
- Georgia’s defense ranks 12th in NLL power play kills, stopping 8-of-17 (47 percent) man-up advantages
- The Swarm ranks third in shorthanded goals against, holding foes to two
- Georgia added familiar face, John Ranagan to the lineup after a trade deal with the Philadelphia Wings
- Andrew Kew leads the team in points (38) and assists (25) while sitting second in goals (13)
- Lyle Thompson tops the team in goals with 17 while ranking second in points (34) and assists (17)
- Mike Manley and Adam Wiedemann blocked the most shots this season, tying each other with seven a piece
- Jeremy Thompson totals 63 loose balls most recently passing Steven Toll for eighth place all-time in NLL career loose balls with 1,565
- Adam Wiedemann ranks second in NLL defenseman goals with six while sitting tied for sixth place in defenseman points, totaling eight
- Brett Dobson posts a .730 save percentage, 150 saves, and a 13.79 goals against average
- Craig Wende records a .740 save percentage, 115 saves, and a 13.29 goals against average
- TJ Comizio leads the team in caused turnovers, forcing 13; Comizio ranks seventh in NLL defenseman points with seven (1G, 6A)
Eyes on the FireWolves:
- Albany ranks ninth in penalty killing record, stopping 14-of-27 (52 percent) man-up opportunities
- The FireWolves have scored on 14-of-35 (40 percent) power plays, ranking 13th in the NLL
- Both of Albany’s wins this season have been clinched on the road
- Albany ranks 12th in goals for (10.38) and goals against (12.88) per game
- Doug Jamieson posts a .770 save percentage, 252 saves, and a 12.47 goals against average
- John Piatelli ranks third among NLL rookies in assists, totaling 12 while ranking fifth in rookie points with 16
- Patrick Kaschalk ranks 11th in NLL rookie points, recording six (1G, 5A)
- Kieran McArdle leads the team in points (39) and assists (25) while sitting second in goals (14)
- Connor Kelly follows McArdle in points (35) while topping the squad in goals (15)
- Nick Chaykowsky picked up 47 loosies this season and caused 11 turnovers, ranking first in both categories on the team
- Aaron Forster and Kaschalk are tied with six blocked shots which leads the team
