Leading 9-7 at halftime, the Saskatchewan Rush looked like a two-time NLL champion set to roll to a game 1 win.
Instead, seven straight goals by host Georgia gave the Swarm an 18-14 win in the opener of the NLL Champion’s Cup final.
The Swarm outscored the Rush 11-5 in the second half, dominating the possession and tiring the Rush defense.
“Just bad turnovers gave them the ball and when you give them the ball that much it’s going to happen,” said head coach Derek Keenan.
“A team that skilled and talented with that much possession is trouble.”
Mark Matthews and Robert Church paced the Rush offense with seven points each. Matthews, Adam Jones and Jeremy Thompson each had hat-tricks.
Aaron Bold made 36 saves in the losing effort as the Rush were outshot 54-51.
With the loss, the Rush return to Saskatoon needing a win to keep their shot at a third straight NLL championship alive.
“This game is over and now we go home and be better then get back (to Georgia) in two weeks,” Keenan said.
The Rush host the Swarm on Saturday, June 10 at SaskTel Centre.