Georgia Swarm will not return to play in 2020 after the National Lacrosse League announced yesterday the cancellation of the postseason due to COVID19. The league originally halted season play after their games on March 8, and then cancelled the rest of the regular season on April 8, but teams were remaining hopeful that they would be able to play out the postseason and have a champion crowned. Eventually numerous obstacles seem to have made that impossible. The final straw seems to have been travel visas expiring in June and July making it impossible for players to cross the border between USA and Canada in order to compete. The NLL was working on plans to play all of the postseason from a short list of facilities including Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, Toronto Rock Athletic Centre and Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, both in Southern Ontario. The Swarm were 7-5 and barely clinging onto a playoff spot when play was halted, so it is thought they would have been included in the 2020 postseason if it had been played. Georgia struggled at home this season but were 5-1 on the road so a playoff run outside of Atlanta at a neutral site might have benefited the team in their quest to win a 2nd Champions Cup. Their return in 2021 may face delays as the fluid situation with COVID19 may dictate where and when games will be played over the next 6 to 12 months.
Georgia Swarm will need to focus on 2021 after the National Lacrosse League cancelled their postseason yesterday (Photo Credit: www.CoyoteMagicActionShots.com)
Article written by Larry Palumbo, published on Friday, 6/5/2020 at 10:00 EST
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