DULUTH, Ga. (April 30, 2022) – It was a heartbreaking night in Gas South Arena as the Georgia Swarm were eliminated from the 2021-22 NLL Playoffs.The Swarm took the Philadelphia Wings into overtime for the third time this season, falling 11-10 in front of a raucous crowd at Gas South Arena.
The Swarm failed to make the postseason for the first time in five seasons, since relocating from Minnesota to Georgia in 2016. The Wings clinched the fourth seed in the West Division and will play either Colorado, Calgary, or San Diego on the road in a single elimination quarterfinal round.
Tonight’s matchup was familiar to the Swarm and Wings as it was the fifth-straight meeting where the final score was within one goal. Philly has now won five of the last eight meetings between the two bitter rivals.
Both teams combined for 106 shots with Georgia outshooting Philadelphia 63-43. Ben McIntosh and Corey Small both notched hat tricks for the Wings, while former Swarm transition standout Kiel Matisz paced all scorers with six points (on six assists).
Lyle Thompson led the Swarm in points after landing two goals between the pipes and dishing out three assists. With both of Lyle Thompson’s goals, he set a new season-best record with 47, topping his 46-goal affair back in 2018. He is now in a three-way tie for first place in NLL goals along with Joe Resetarits (Albany) and Tom Schreiber (Toronto).
Multiple defenders notched points this evening in Bryan Cole (1A), Ryan MacSpadyen (1A), and TJ Comizio (1G). The Swarm were successful on 2-of-4 power-play opportunities with Brendan Bomberry and Jordan Hall clinching them back-to-back. Miles Thompson played in his 100th NLL game and finished with an assist. Bomberry had two early goals to match his two assists on the night.
Goalies Mike Poulin for the Swarm and Zach Higgins for the Wings turned in respectable outings, with the former saving 32 of 43 shots, and Higgins smothering 53 of 63 Swarm salvos.
The Swarm head into the off-season with a solid veteran core and a group of high draft picks who showed tremendous promise as the season wore on. The future is bright for this perennial playoff challenger, and the addition of more high-round draft picks from last season’s College Entry Draft (who didn’t immediately join the Swarm to play one more collegiate season due to the Covid eligibility rules) should only bolster an already lethal Swarm offensive attack.
To get in on Atlanta’s Best Kept Sports Secret and the legendary Swarm in-game experience, you can now sign up for a full-season membership for the upcoming year. The secret is starting to get out, and the best seats are going fast.
Season Memberships for the 2022-23 season are on sale now, and next season we’re introducing the new 777 Club – a full season membership for just $77.70. Watch the fastest game on two feet for just $7.77 a seat by heading to GeorgiaSwarm.Com/Tickets or by calling 844-4-GASWARM. Many other membership options, fan experiences, and group ticket options are available at GeorgiaSwarm.com.
