(Photo courtesy of Nick Iwanyshyn NLL)
The Georgia Swarm (4-3) visited the Toronto Rock (3-3) at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario in front of 6,774 fans.
Georgia had a breakout game last week against the Calgary Roughnecks winning 19-9, getting the offense back on track. Lyle Thompson was his old self with 10 points, while Toron Ecclestone (4g,1a) & Bryan Cole (3g,5a) had big outings as well.
Toronto beat the Rochester Knighthawks coming from behind last week with Owen Hiltz (3g,1a), Mark Matthews (2g,3a) and Dan Craig (2g,a) leading the way. In that game Nick Rose was injured, having to leave. Troy Holowchuk was exceptional in relief, allowing only goals in over 22:00 of work.
The goaltending match-up had Brett Dobson in net for the Swarm facing Troy Holowchuk in net for the Rock.
The Rock came out on a mission in this game getting quality opportunities throughout the first quarter. Toronto Swarmed Brett Dobson with lots of in close shots to grab a 4-1 lead after one quarter. Georgia got close with a pair of quick goals in the second quarter, but Owen Hiltz’s back to back power-play tallies kept the Rock in control. Shane Jackson brought the Swarm within two with a blast from the outside near the end of the half. Toronto took a 6-4 lead to the dressing room.
The second half had Georgia’s transition game wake up with three goals in the third quarter. Although Toronto’s power-play kept rolling, the Rock only took a one goal lead heading to the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the Swarm put more pressure on the Rock tying the game, then grabbing their first lead of the night. Toronto was finally rewarded with a goal late in the frame, when Challen Rogers finished a Josh Dawick pass from the top of the crease sending the game to overtime.
Overtime didn’t last long as Lyle Thompson scored just 0:30 seconds into the extra frame off a Shayne Jackson feed to send Georgia home victorious. The Swarm win 10-9.
To The Game:
On a delayed penalty, CJ Kirst quick sticked a pass from Josh Dawick at 5:39 to open the scoring, but an unassisted shot from Jacob Hickey to the stickside of Troy Holowchuk at 8:59 tied the game.
Owen Hiltz gave the Rock the lead once again on the power-play converting a Challen Rogers pass diving from behind the net at 10:20, followed by Chris Boushy from in front also off a Rogers pass at 11:44. Josh Dawick then increased the lead with a howitzer from the side that squirted through Brett Dobson off a Chris Weier pass at 14 :19.
After one quarter, Toronto 4 Georgia 1.
Second Quarter:
Jacob Hickey opened the second quarter scoring for Georgia going coast to coast with a blast to the shortside unassisted at 6:23. Ben Trumble scored next with a shot from the outside off a Kean Moon pass at 8:14.
The Rock answered with a pair of power-play goals from Owen Hiltz. The first was from in close off a Challen Rogers pass at 9:19, followed by a great individual effort coming across the crease unassisted at 13:21.
Shane Jackson got the Swarm within two with an outside shot that stung the top corner off a Bryan Cole pass at 13:53.
At the half, Toronto 6 Georgia 4.
Third Quarter:
CJ Kirst opened the second half scoring falling to the turf on a great individual effort off a Mark Matthews feed at 0:38 seconds, but Nolan Byrne in transition got it back with a shot to the shortside at 2:18.
Toronto increased their lead to three on the power-play when CJ Kirst fired a laser from the top of the crease off a Challen Rogers pass at 3:58, but a late goals from Jeff Henrick off a Jacob Hickey pass in transition, followed by a blast from Jordan MacIntosh at 14:57, set up a nail-biting fourth quarter.
After three quarters, Toronto 8 Georgia 6.
Fourth Quarter:
Lyle Thompson tied the game on the power-play with a laser to the shortside from the outside off a Shayne Jackson pass at 1:20, followed by Jackson himself with a bounced shot from the top of the crease off a Bryan Cole pass at 4:38.
The Rock tied the game with Challen Rogers converting a pass from Josh Dawick from in close at 11:04, sending this game to overtime.
After regulation, Toronto 9 Georgia 9
Overtime:
In the extra period Lyle Thompson fired a laser.tonthe corner off a Shayne Jackson pass at 0:30 seconds.
Final score, Georgia 10 Toronto 9.
The Three Stars:
1. Lyle Thompson
2. Owen Hiltz
3. Brett Dobson
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored Toronto 57-49.
- The faceoff battle was won by the Swarm 13-10.
- The loose ball battle went to the Rock 87-57.
- Georgia went 1 for 3 on the power-play, while Toronto went 4 for 5.
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