Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Oshawa Firewolves (1-2) visited the Georgia Swarm (1-1) on Saturday night for an Eastern Division matchup at Gas South Arena. The Oshawa defense has been lights out around goalie Doug Jamieson (8GA, 37SV), but the offense has struggled to find an identity. After being held to a franchise low two goals last week, the Firewolves hoped for a better showing in Georgia. The defense showed up again, holding a potent Swarm offense to just nine goals, but the offense continued to struggle. Alex Simmons (3G, 1A) was the only Firewolves player to score through the first three quarters and despite a close game late, the offense could only muster five goals on Georgia netminder Brett Dobson (5GA, 51SV). Georgia was led by Shayne Jackson (3G) and Lyle Thompson (1G, 3A) in the winning effort. Final Score: Oshawa Firewolves – 5, Georgia Swarm – 9.
Both defenses started the game with active sticks, disrupting any flow either offense tried to establish. The first goal of the game came in the waning seconds of the quarter. On a power play fast break, Jackson found the opening for the game’s first goal with just seven seconds remaining. At the end of the first quarter, Georgia led Oshawa 1-0.
The Firewolves would strike first in the second quarter. Colton Watkinson (1A) found a cutting Simmons who scored jumping through the crease to tie the game with 9:16 left in the half. Richie Connell (1G) would give the lead back to the home team with 4:35 on the clock, but Simmons would strike again just over three minutes later to tie the game once more. At the end of the first half, Georgia and Oshawa were tied 2-2.
The pace of play continued to accelerate in the second half, as transition seemed to be the best opportunity to score on the stalwart defenses. Jackson found an opening just 1:09 into the third quarter to restore the Swarm lead, and rookie Michael Grace (1G, 1A) scored his first NLL goal just 42 seconds later, stretching the lead to two. Scoring took a long break before Simmons notched his hat trick goal with 3:22 remaining. Unfortunately, the Swarm would find another in transition before the quarter ended. Jeff Henrick (1G) scored with 1:24 left to end the quarter. At the end of the third quarter, Georgia led Oshawa 5-3.
Two early fourth quarter penalties on the Firewolves allowed the Swarm to score early. Kaleb Benedict (1G) and Thompson both notched goals in the first minute and a half to stretch the lead to four. Finally, the transition worked in favor of Oshawa as Patrick Kaschalk (1G) scored with 6:07 left in the game. Momentum swung back to Georgia two minutes later when Nolan Byrne (1G, 1A) scored in transition. With time winding down, Tye Kurtz (1G, 1A) scored Oshawa’s fifth and final goal with 1:18 left in the game before Jackson scored the empty netter with under a minute remaining. Final Score: Oshawa Firewolves – 5, Georgia Swarm – 9.
Up Next:
The Oshawa Firewolves (1-2) host the Vancouver Warriors on Friday, December 19 at 7:30 PM EST.
The Georgia Swarm (1-1) travel to play the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday, December 20 at 8:00 PM EST.