Justin Ivey, NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Featured Image Photo Credit: Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock (8-4) visited the Georgia Swarm (11-4) with the hopes of clinching a playoff berth. With a win in either of their two games this weekend, they’re in. The two-day stretch couldn’t have started any worse. Toronto struggled mightily and Georgia led from start to finish in a blowout as Randy Staats finished with 10 points. Not only did the Rock not clinch, but they have now lost the season series to the Swarm. It doesn’t get any easier for the Rock as tonight the play the other team ahead of them in the East, the Buffalo Bandits. Final Score: Toronto-5, Georgia-14
The Swarm started the scoring early when Jordan MacIntosh (1G) picked up the opening face off loose ball and scored unassisted just nine seconds in. Kieran McArdle (1G) quickly answered for the Rock 39 seconds later, but that would be their only tally of the first quarter. Georgia went on to score four more. Zed Williams (1G, 1A) scored 2:08 in; and Adam Wiedemann (1G) 6:22 in. Randy Staats (5G, 5A) scored the final two goals of the quarter, the second on the Swarm’s first power play opportunity of the game. Georgia scored five goals on their first eleven shots of the game, a ridiculous percentage. At the end of the first quarter, Georgia led Toronto 5-1.
Georgia opened the scoring in the second quarter too, but this time it took 4:36 before Shayne Jackson (3G, 2A) found the back of the net. Toronto’s Challen Rogers (1G) quickly answered in transition, but off the ensuing faceoff the Swarm were again able to quickly scoop the ground ball and score. This time it was Brendan Bomberry (1G) gathering the loose ball and diving across the crease for his lone goal of the game. Johnny Powless (1G) scored 6:44 in to bring Toronto again within four, but then Toronto couldn’t capitalize with a man advantage and Georgia’s Jackson scored his second of the quarter with 3:33 remaining in the half. With time winding down Toronto had a power play opportunity and elected to bring on an extra attacker for the final possession. Rob Hellyer (1G) scored during the six on four with four seconds on the clock. At the half, Georgia led Toronto 8-4.
Whatever hope Toronto had entering the second half was quickly squashed. Georgia scored three goals in the first five minutes stretching the lead to seven goals and chasing starting goaltender Nick Rose from the net. Staats scored 3:29 in, and after an elbowing major on Toronto’s Rogers, Lyle Thompson (1G, 7A) and Miles Thompson (1G, 2A) both scored on the power play. Substitution goaltender Riley Hutchcraft halted the onslaught for a bit, but Staats scored two more in succession to really make the lead insurmountable. Toronto’s Brandon Slade (1G) scored just 11 seconds after the second goal from Staats, but that was the only offense the Rock could come up with. At the end of three quarters, Georgia led Toronto 13-5.
Only one goal was scored, and one penalty called in the fourth quarter. Both happened to Georgia. Chad Tutton was called for a five-minute illegal cross check 2:59 in, but Jackson scored shorthanded 5:16 in to stretch the lead to nine. With the game out of reach the Swarm were content to waste clock the rest of the game while Toronto struggled to beat Mike Poulin from anywhere on the turf. Final Score: Toronto-5, Georgia-14
Up Next:
The Toronto Rock (8-4) travel to play the Buffalo Bandits (11-4) on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM EST. With a win, the Rock can clinch a playoff berth.
The Georgia Swarm (11-4) have a week off before hosting the San Diego Seals (8-4) on Friday, April 5 at 7:35 EST.
Justin Ivey, NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©