Georgia Swarm (8-10) at New England Black Wolves (10-8)
When: 4/30/2016 – 7:00 pm ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
Watch: NLLtv.com
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 3rd Seed in Eastern Conference
Points Leader: Randy Staats – 36 goals, 59 assists
Where are they?
The Georgia Swarm finished the season at 8-10, but it was one win enough to clinch the third seed in the East over Rochester.
How’d the get here?
The Swarm had some terrible games (scoring four points against Rochester) and some great games (14-6 over Vancouver), but almost all of their games were kept to a small margin.
What’s next?
Georgia’s success hinges in their rookie forwards and their ability to overcome New England in their first game. Overall, the Swarm were 3-9 against other playoff teams, but two of those were in the month of April when they had big seven point wins over New England and Colorado. They also handily beat Vancouver and Rochester in the span, but lost to New England in a second match by 10.
Georgia can absolutely play with any team in the league. They have wins over both Eastern opponents, which will provide them with plenty of confidence. Rookie forward Randy Staats is coming off a season where he broke the NLL Rookie scoring record. Staats does not do it alone, though. Joining him in the top 25 scorers in the league are fellow Swarm members Shayne Jackson, Jesse King, and Johnny Powless. No other team has more than three in the top 25, and the four names listed don’t even contain Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson, or Kiel Matisz who actually comes in at number 27. This diversified and dangerous attack can morph to whatever the defense gives it. If someone has the hot hand, they’ll get the ball. Sometimes it’s Staats, sometimes it’s Jackson, Powless, or King. This offense is very tough to play for.
The defense for the Swarm has also make your day miserable. Jordan MacIntosh and Joel White are both in the top five in loose balls for the season. Those two with rookie Chad Tutton have the proven ability to push the ball up the floor and put it in the net as well. Behind them, things can be a little more confusing. Both Brodie MacDonald and Zach Higgins saw time in every game this season, but this was not a first-half/second-half split thing. MacDonald typically got the start and Higgins would come in when needed. Both had fantastic moments that made them virtual walls. Both could also seem lost for small, but crucial stretches. If the keepers are having more good moments than bad, the Swarm defense should hold tight and make any game tough. If the defense is letting the other team’s shooters get right on top of them or have open looks? Summer leagues will be starting a little earlier for Swarm players.
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 2nd Seed in Eastern Conference
Points Leader: Shawn Evans – 50 goals, 68 assists
Where are they?
The New England Black Wolves finished the season with a record of 10-8, good enough for the #2 seed in the East.
How’d they get here?
The Black Wolves were actually very consistent this year early on. That changed a little bit as the lost four out of their last six games.
What’s next?
First thing first for the Black Wolves is hosting the Georgia Swarm on Friday. The two teams are very evenly matched, each taking shots at each other through the regular season. New England won their last meeting 21-11, but head coach Glenn Clark was saying after their final game that the previous meeting might as well have never happened. They know they can’t rely on a similar performance and are gearing up for a true battle. A win there would send them on to face Buffalo in a two game series to decide the Eastern Champion.
For New England to be able to play games in June, they will need Shawn Evans to be 100%. Shawn Evans being 100% doesn’t mean that he has to score every goal, but it does mean that he needs to be a shooting and passing threat while playing his usual high-tempo physical style. He led the team in loose balls, making him the only forward in the league to do so. He was also second in the league in short-handed goals and since their penalty kill was the worst in the league, that can really matter in the playoffs.
Defensively, the Black Wolves were hit or miss through the season. They started out as one of the best units in the entire league. Evan Kirk played outstanding all year-long. He finished the season with the most saves and the second best save percentage in the league. When the defense is doing their job well, Kirk sees only the shots he wants. This is what they did in the second half against Georgia. He has the ability to make multiple outstanding saves when the defense shows a lapse, but no goalie can be expected to do that repeatedly. If the early season defense shows up, the Black Wolves have a great chance to push for the Cup.
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