Toronto Rock vs. Georgia Swarm: NLL East Division Final Series Preview
By Austin Owens
The Toronto Rock showed that they were ready for the playoffs, handily beating New England. However, the next round brings new challenges as they get set to battle the NLL’s best in the Georgia Swarm.
It all comes down to this. Who will be representing the Eastern Division in the Champions Cup Final? Will it be the Toronto Rock? A team that made it into playoffs on the last day, but are no strangers to the playoffs. Or the Georgia Swarm, who have only been to the East Finals twice, but have steadily dominated the league this season.
The Rock and Swarm have been one of the closest matchups in the NLL this season, with both teams splitting the season series, with one overtime win apiece.
The first game in the series saw the Swarm score a last second goal, before Johnny Powless secured the game winner 46 seconds into overtime.
The second game saw the same comeback, but from the Rock instead. Reid Reinholdt scored the tying goal with 1:02 left in the fourth quarter, before walking off the Swarm with his second of the game 44 seconds into the extra frame.
Here’s how both teams stacked up against each other during the season series:
| Category | Toronto | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Goals | 24 | 24 |
| Shots | 124 | 119 |
| Loose Balls | 172 | 137 |
| Face-offs | 23/56 (41.1%) | 33/56 (58.9%) |
| Power Play | 5/11 (45%) | 6/9 (66%) |
Players to Watch
Toronto
I wish I had some new picks, but the Rock’s top performers came up big again and will be the driving force on Saturday.
- Tom Schreiber: Schreiber came up absolutely huge for the Rock, with seven points, including four goals.
- Brett Hickey: He traded in some goals for assists against New England, finishing with six in an eight-point performance.
- Brodie Merrill: Led the Rock’s defence, had 14 loose balls and scored an empty-netter late to seal the win.
- Damon Edwards: He was a force in transition, with five shots in the game and two goals.
Georgia
- Lyle Thompson: Easy pick. Led the NLL in scoring this season with 116 points and he leads the Swarm attack.
- Randy Staats: The big forward plays on the crease for the Swarm and is one of the stars of this potent offence.
- Jordan MacIntosh: The Swarm captain is basically a Swiss army knife. Offence, defence and face-offs are part of his nightly duties.
- Joel White: White played less than half of the season, but is a tone setter on the back-end for the Swarm. His physicality and transition ability will be key.
Key Matchup: Lyle Thompson vs. Brodie Merrill/Jesse Gamble
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
In the team’s last matchup, it was Merrill drawing the assignment of guarding Thompson. When Merrill wasn’t on the floor, it was on Gamble to shut down one of the most dynamic players in lacrosse today.
It would be easy to put the entire Georgia offence in this category, as they pose a matchup nightmare for anyone they face. But, for all the great individual players on this offence, Lyle is the one that makes them all click. He is the quarterback and a huge factor anytime he’s on the floor.
But like Thompson, Merrill is the man who leads the stifling defence of the Rock. He will look to beat Lyle’s speed with his size. If he can force some turnovers and push the ball in transition like he’s done so well this season, the Rock will be in great shape.
Series Layout
In the NLL, the best-of-three series are laid out differently than you might expect. Games one and two will happen over a two-week period. The lower seeded team hosts game one with the highers seed hosting the final two games. The third game (if necessary) is one 10 minute period. The full playoff format can be found here.
Next: Rock advance to East Final with 18-10 win over New England
Game 1 will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, at the Air Canada Centre, and Game 2/3 will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, in Georgia.