In an absolute classic, the Georgia Swarm (3-3) on a three-game losing streak going into the Mohegan Sun Arena to battle the unbeaten Division rival, New England Black Wolves (4-1) in a Sunday matinee.
Two legitimate championship competitors went toe to toe in a playoff-type encounter.
An even first period saw New England strike first when Rookie, Andrew Kew (2g,3a) converted a nice set up from Joe Resetarits (3a) and Callum Crawford on the man up to boost the ‘Wolves to a 1-0 edge at the 3:49 Mark.
Georgia returned the favor with a man advantage tally of their own furnished by Jordan Hall and Miles Thompson setting up Shayne Jackson (3g,4a, and 9 shots) and things were even.
Georgia Swarmed 5:36 later when the other Thompson, Lyle (2g) converted slick passes from Hall and Jackson at the 10:46 mark to give Georgia a 2-1 advantage.
New England regrouped and ended the first period with a Tony Malcolm (1g) lamplighter with help from Creighton Reid and Joe Nardella (1a) and the squads went to the second tied at 2-2.
The forth and back continued with Andrew Kew assisting on another man-up goal, this one from Callum Crawford before Miles Thompson and Jordan Hall helped Zack Miller (1g,1) get on the board.
The battle continued with Georgia nabbing two more twine ticklers thanks to Hall (1g,3a) and Randy Staats (2g,1) to make it a 5-3 Georgia edge with 7:56 left in the half.
The counter-punching continued with New England putting an end to the Swarm uprising fueled by Adam Bomberry (1a) setting up Reid (1g,1a) to bring the curtain down on the half with Georgia in front, 5-4.
Things opened up in the second half with a flurry of goals, started by New England’s Reilly O’ Connor (1g,1a) who beat Swarm netminder, Mike Poulin just :19 in.
Lyle Thompson received a set up from Jackson and Miles and Lyle put on a great fake at the edge of the crease to re-establish a Georgia lead, 6-5.
Callum Crawford responded at 6:38 and we were in familiar territory, tied up. 6-6.
Jackson, once again put Georgia up by one with 4:43 in the quarter.
Stephan Leblanc (1g) at 12:04 and Colton Watkinson (1g) 1:03 later closed the third with New England up by two at 9-7. The goal came with a New England player in the penalty box.
Could the Black Wolves push their win streak to five?
Just :39 in, Kew converted a Resetarits pass for a power-play goal that gave the home team a three-goal lead.
Swarm Captain, Jordan MacIntosh stepped up by winning the ensuing face off and Randy Staats converted just eight seconds after the Kew marker.
MacIntosh (3a) and Jordan Hall kept working and found Miles Thompson who made it a one-goal game at 2:53.
Fast forward to the 5:39 mark and Jackson fought through traffic and, that quick, it was, once again, a tie game, 10-10.
No one could find the net in the final 9 minutes so, for the second consecutive game, New England had to stay late at the office.
The Georgia losing streak and the New England winning streak went by the boards when Miles Thompson gathered ina rebound off a Zed Williams shot and blistered a shot behind the unsettled Doug Jamieson after 3:52.
Dis and Dat: The East Division has tightened up with New England dropping to 4-1, Philadelphia at 5-2, Georgia at 3-3 and New York at 1-7
Georgia visits Philadelphia next week.
Mike Poulin stopped 37 of the 47 shots he faced in his 63:52 while Doug Jamieson continues to shine in the New England nets and tuned aside 44 of 55 he faced.
Loose Balls went to Georgia, 79-63.
Face offs were one-sided for New England, 18 of 25.
On the man advantage, the Black Wolves were 3 for 5 while the Swarm was 1 of 4.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
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