The Oshawa FireWolves traveled to Gas South Arena for a Week 3 showdown with the Georgia Swarm. The FireWolves, who are the only team to have played in each of the first three weeks of the season, were looking to bounce back from a Week 2 loss to Halifax in which they tied the NLL record for fewest goals scored in a game. The Swarm kept it close for almost three quarters against Buffalo in Week 1, but fell short following a controversial application of the rules after a major penalty on their goaltender.
On a history-making night in which the first female official took the floor in an NLL game, there would be no such penalty issues for Georgia. But Oshawa’s offense would continue their struggles from last week, managing just five goals in a 9-5 loss. The FireWolves drop to 1-2, while Georgia evens their record at 1-1.
Photo Credit: Victoria Adkins; photo courtesy of the National Lacrosse League
FireWolves break long scoring drought in tight first half
A tight defensive first quarter nearly ended scoreless, but for Shayne Jackson’s power play goal at the 14:53 mark to give Georgia a 1-0 lead. The second quarter opened with Colton Watkinson finding Alex Simmons (5:44) in transition to tie the game 1-1. The goal broke a scoring drought of over 67 minutes for the FireWolves, going back to the end of the first quarter in their game against Halifax last week. Richie Connell scored on a crease dive (10:25) to restore a lead for Georgia, but Simmons netted his second (13:35) to level the game at 2-2 going into halftime.
Swarm pick up scoring pace (and win) as FireWolves offense struggles
Georgia struck quickly to start the second half, with Jackson’s second goal (1:09) and top 2024 draft pick Michael Grace’s first career goal (1:51) pushing the Swarm to a 4-2 lead. Simmons scored his hat trick goal (11:38) to pull the FireWolves within one, but Jeff Henrick scored on a breakaway (13:36) to put the Swarm up 5-3 going into the fourth quarter.
The FireWolves put themselves in a deeper hole to start the fourth, taking two penalties within the first 15 seconds of the quarter, including an illegal substitution penalty. Georgia capitalized, with power play goals form Kaleb Benedict (0:38) and Lyle Thompson (1:20) extending the lead to 7-3. Patrick Kaschalk cut Oshawa’s deficit to three (8:53), but Nolan Byrne pushed the lead to 8-4 just two minutes later. A goal from Tye Kurtz (13:42) made it 8-5 before Jackson closed the game with an empty-netter (14:18) for his hat trick.
Other Stats of Note
FireWolves: Simmons (3g, 1a); Kurtz (1g, 1a); Kaschalk (1g); Watkinson (1a); Taggart Clark (1a); Will Johansen (1a); Jaxon Fridge (1a); Kyle Jackson (1a)
Swarm: Jackson (3g); Thompson (1g, 3a); Byrne (1g, 1a); Grace (1g, 1a); Henrick (1g); Connell (1g); Benedict (1g); Bryan Cole (1a); Kason Tarbell (1a); Jordan MacIntosh (1a); Kean Moon (1a)
Oshawa’s power play woes continued as well, going 0 for 5. The Swarm went 3 for 5 on power plays.
Faceoffs: OSH 13 of 18; GA 5 of 18
Doug Jamieson (OSH): 37 saves, 8 GA; Brett Dobson (GA): 51 saves, 5 GA
