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Toronto Rock: Georgia Swarm topple the Rock to take Game 1 11-8

By Austin Owens

Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; An exterior view of the Air Canada Centre before the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; An exterior view of the Air Canada Centre before the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a strong start, the Toronto Rock had trouble cracking Mike Poulin and the Georgia Swarm defence.

The Toronto Rock had the first and only goal of the first quarter from Dan Lintner, who scored in transition off a pass from Stephan Leblanc.

Toronto would take two penalties but killed off both. Brandon Miller stood tall for the Rock early, stopping all 14 shots he faced in the opening frame.

The Rock went into the half with a 4-2 lead off goals from Damon Edwards, Stephan Leblanc and Brett Hickey.

The tide turned in Georgia’s favour, however, as they came out of the half with four straight goals from Joel White, Chad Tutton, Jordan Hall and Shayne Jackson.

“Their first three of four goals came off of transition opportunities. Credit to them, they sped the game up on our offence and we didn’t adjust to that. That was the swing early on in the second half,” Rock head coach Matt Sawyer told reporters after the game.

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Georgia goalie Mike Poulin had a solid second half, stopping 20 of the 24 shots he faced.

The Rock pushed back in the last five minutes with two goals, but Swarm captain Jordan MacIntosh sealed the win with a late empty-netter.

The effort was there, but it was more about our execution. We’re gonna have to look at some things and make some adjustments,” Sawyer said. “It’s just a playoff lacrosse game that we came out on the wrong end of.”

The Rock will look to take the series at “The Hive” in Georgia. They will need to win both games this coming Saturday, to advance to the Champions Cup Finals.

Next: Rock vs. Swarm - NLL East Division Final Series Preview

What were your takeaways from Game 1 versus the Swarm? How confident are you in the Rock’s chances of coming back to take Game’s 2 and 3, to advance to the Champions Cup Finals? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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