Compiled and Written by “Muffler” Mike Kostiuk
RIPTIDE DROP SECOND GAME OF WEEKEND, FALL TO 0-3
The New York Riptide returned to Nassau Live Center for their second game this weekend, looking to salvage a split doubleheader less than 48 hours after pushing the Wings to the brink in a 14-12 loss in Philadelphia Friday night. Their opponent, the visiting Georgia Swarm (1-1), used a 4-0 second quarter and a 10-point effort from Lyle Thompson to propel themselves to a 14-10 victory over New York, dropping the Riptide to 0-3 on the season.
First Quarter
Kieran McArdle (3g, 3a) and Thompson (5g, 5a) traded goals within the first minute of play. Ryan MacSpadyen (1g) made it 2-1 Swarm less than two minutes later.
Riptide captain Dan MacRae scored in transition at 7:39 to tie the game at 2, before the teams traded goals again, with Jordan MacIntosh (2g, 1a; 10:29) and Connor Kearnan (1g, 2a; 10:56) finding the back of the net. Kearnan’s goal was a sight to behold, as he took a feed from Tyson Gibson and dove across the crease from right to left, fully extending his stick with his off-hand to beat Swarm goalie Mike Poulin.
Brendan Bomberry (1g, 2a) then put a feed from 2019-2020 MVP Shayne Jackson past New York goaltender Steven Orleman at 14:43 to start a 5-goal run and close the quarter with Georgia leading 4-3.
Second Quarter
The second quarter proved to be the difference in the game, as Georgia would shut New York out with four more unanswered goals.
Jackson (3g, 2a) and Thompson with power play goals at 1:58 and 3:34, Thompson again with his hat trick goal at 6:39, and MacIntosh at 8:25 stretched the Swarm’s lead to 8-3.
With the game looking like it might become a blowout as halftime approached, forward Jake Fox tried to light a fire under the Riptide, getting into a brawl with Georgia defenseman Robert Hudson. Following the fight, MacRae had some choice words with the officials, resulting in him being assessed a 10-minute game misconduct penalty at the same time as Fox’s 5-minute fighting major, leaving New York down two runners for an extended timeframe to start the second half. Including the game misconduct, MacRae racked up a total of 18 penalty minutes in the quarter.
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Third Quarter
New York would win this quarter 4-3, with Callum Crawford (3:43) and McArdle (5:28) each netting their second, Larson Sundown (1g, 2a; 11:12) on a power play, and Gibson (2g, 4a; 14:28) beating Poulin.
Georgia countered with Jordan Hall (2g, 2a) at 4:01 and 5:10 (power play), and Thompson’s fourth of the day at 11:37. Tempers continued to flare as former Swarm defenseman Leo Stouros got into it with Thompson and Joel White at the same time, sending all three players to the penalty box at the 7:19 mark.
Fourth Quarter
Two minutes into the quarter, Crawford closed the gap to 11-8. Gibson followed up with his second goal of the day at 5:46 to make it a 2-goal game. The teams once again traded goals – Jackson’s second at 8:41, McArdle’s hat trick goal at 8:49 – to make it 12-10 Swarm with 6 minutes left to play.
But the Riptide could get no closer, with Thompson’s fifth goal at 11:02 and Jackson’s hat trick goal at 14:09 shutting the door on the Riptide comeback.
3 Stars of the Game
1st Star: Thompson
2nd Star: McArdle
3rd Star: Gibson
Other Stats of Note
Power Play: GA 3 of 7; NY 1 of 7
Adam Wiedemann (GA) and Matt Marinier (NY) led all players with 7 loose balls each
Jay Thorimbert (NY): 19 of 28 on faceoffs
Poulin: 37 saves; Orleman: 32 saves
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.
