Minnesota Swarm Returns Home to Face Buffalo Bandits on Friday

Published on March 23, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Minnesota Swarm (6-5) returns to Xcel Energy Center on Friday, March 24 at 7:00 PM to face the Buffalo Bandits (5-4) in its first home game since February 10. Both clubs are currently tied for second place in the East Division, a half-game out of first place. The Swarm will look to extend its winning streak to a franchise-record three games as the club earned victories in the final two contests of its just completed four-game road trip.

Minnesota is coming off a huge 14-12 come-from-behind victory in Portland last Friday. The Swarm outscored the LumberJax 6-1 in the fourth quarter and registered a season-high 14 goals in the victory. The win also helped Minnesota surpass its win total from its inaugural season when it went 5-11, with five games left to play. Ryan Ward set a franchise record for points in a game with 10 points (3-7=10) and was named the NLL's Week 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Nick Patterson made 37 saves for his fifth win of the season. Ward leads the Swarm in scoring with 48 points (14-34=48) this season. Patterson is 5-2 and ranks third in the League with a 10.53 goals against average (GAA) and a .794 save percentage.

Friday is the third and final game between the two teams this season. The clubs have split the first two contests with the Swarm earning an 11-8 win at Buffalo on March 4 in their last meeting. Matt Disher earned the win making 46 saves. Kasey Beirnes and Kelly Hall recorded five points each (3-2=5) and Ward chipped in with four assists. The Bandits won the first meeting this season on February 18 at HSBC Arena by a score of 14-9 as Cory Bomberry recorded six points (5-1=6) and Steve Dietrich made 32 saves in three quarters of action. Chad Culp led the Swarm with four points (2-2=4) and Patterson was saddled with his first loss of the season allowing 14 goals on 54 shots.

John Tavares leads Buffalo in scoring with 51 points (17-34=51) and Mark Steenhuis is second with 33 points (18-15=33). Dietrich is 5-4 and leads the NLL with a 9.87 GAA and a .809 save percentage.

Two lucky fans in attendance at Friday's game will win a vacation package courtesy of Worry-Free Vacations. Minnesota Swarm home regular season single game tickets are available in all price categories and range from $12.00 to $27.00 per game. 4-game LAX Pax's are also available and start at $44.00. For more information on becoming a Minnesota Swarm season ticket holder please call (888) MN-SWARM.

If you can't make it to Friday's Swarm game against Buffalo you can watch it online via B2 networks for $6.00. To watch the game go to www.mnswarm.com ten minutes before the start of a game and click on the WATCH THE GAME LIVE ON B2 link to purchase and watch the game. A high-speed connection is required.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 23, 2006


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