The Georgia Swarm and Rochester Knighthawks met in a home-and-home doubleheader on the final weekend of the regular season. Rochester had already been eliminated from playoff contention; however, they had the chance to play spoiler not only to Georgia, but Las Vegas and San Diego as well, with their games impacting playoff chances for both the Desert Dogs and Seals. Meanwhile, the Swarm came into the weekend with an outside chance at a Top 4 seeding, which would earn them their first home playoff game since 2019.
Swarm use two second half runs to win front end at The Hive
The first game at Gas South Arena on Saturday afternoon started out close, as Rochester got out to a 2-0 lead, but trailed 4-3 at halftime. The Swarm outscored the Knighthawks 5-0 in the third quarter, and a four-goal run in the fourth quarter iced the 13-6 victory. Rookies Nolan Byrne (3g, 1a) and Richie Connell (2g, 2a) led the way for the Swarm. Kaleb Benedict (2g, 2a), Lyle Thompson (2g, 1a), and Shayne Jackson (1g, 5a) also played significant roles in the win.
On the back end, Brett Dobson continued to make his case for both Goaltender of the Year and League MVP, posting 50 saves on 56 Rochester shots. Connor Fields was held to just one goal and three assists, while Ryan Lanchbury managed just one goal and one assist. Zed Williams, Ryan Smith, and Graydon Hogg each had a goal, and Taylor Jensen scored in transition in an otherwise forgettable offensive outing for the Knighthawks. Georgia improved to 11-6 with the win, while the loss dropped Rochester to 6-11. The result also eliminated Las Vegas from playoff contention.
Swarm clinch first round home playoff after shootout win in back end
On Sunday, the teams met again at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. With Buffalo losing their final regular season game the night before, the Swarm had an opportunity to clinch a Top 4 seed with a win, and a first round playoff game at home as a result. Georgia wasted no time, getting out to a 5-2 lead after one quarter and a 9-3 lead at halftime. The Swarm led by as many as eight in the fourth quarter of a 17-12 victory that swept the series.
Top scorers for the Swarm were Richie Connell (4g, 1a), Lyle Thompson (3g, 5a), Nolan Byrne (3g), Shayne Jackson (2g, 5a), Kaleb Benedict (2g, 2a), and Kean Moon (2g). Brett Dobson was stellar once again, allowing only 8 goals while making 47 saves. He was pulled late in the fourth quarter, just before Rochester attempted to rally from a 16-8 deficit. The Knighthawks countered with Ryan Smith (4g, 1a), Zed Williams (3g, 3a), Thomas McConvey (3g, 3a), Connor Fields (1g, 6a), Jacob Piseno (1g, 1a), and Ryan Lanchbury (6a). Riley Hutchcraft got the start in net for the Knighthawks in the second game, making 34 saves in the loss. The Swarm finish the regular season with a 12-6 record; they will host Buffalo in a first round playoff game this coming weekend. Rochester finishes with a record of 6-12, tied for 11th place.
