Minnesota Swarm Begin Back-To-Back Games Against Stealth

Published on February 2, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, MN - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (1-3) will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they battle the Washington Stealth (5-0) on the road this Friday, Feb. 5 at 10:00 p.m. CST at Comcast Arena at Everett. The two teams will face each other again the following week at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7:35 p.m. CST for their second and final meeting this season.

Minnesota is coming off an 11-7 loss to the Buffalo Bandits last weekend, despite receiving a solid performance in front of net from G Kevin Croswell who relieved G Nick Patterson early in the second quarter. Croswell managed to hold the Bandits scoreless during a 19-minute stretch in the second and third quarters and finished the game with 23 saves and six GA in 44 minutes of action. Two of those goals came late in the fourth quarter on empty netters after Head Coach Mike Lines sent an extra attackman on offense.

"We weren't terrible," said Lines. "Realistically if you break it down, we only gave up nine goals with the other two being empty netters. Our defense wasn't the problem again. We had unbelievable looks inside and our players that needed to step up didn't do so."

"Croswell gave us an opportunity to win. He got us back in the game and we tied it up at halftime with the momentum on our side. We came out in flat in the second half. There's no reason for that whatsoever."

Both of Minnesota's last two opponents, Colorado (0-2) and Buffalo (0-4) were winless when the Swarm faced them. Lines admitted this time around, the Swarm will be the team looking for something to prove come Friday night.

"Obviously for the first time this season we are the desperate team," said Lines. "We are sitting at 1-3 and the only good thing about losing that game to Buffalo was that it was to an Eastern team. Right now we are currently one of three teams in the conference with three losses so we certainly aren't out of it by any stretch of the imagination."

Assistant Coach Aime Caines also emphasized that the team had plenty of scoring chances last Saturday night, which he pointed out is a good sign. Minnesota managed to outshoot Buffalo 51-43. Against the Stealth, Caines is confident that the team will head into Washington with something to prove.

"Their defense is a little different than what we have seen this year," explained Caines. "They are athletic and they are going to press us. We just have to play our game. We beat ourselves against Colorado and Buffalo. Not a lot of people are picking us to win this one, however our mindset will be no different than it is any other week and we are going to go into Washington expecting to win."

Two players that were able to convert on their chances against the Bandits were the team's top two scorers, F Callum Crawford and F Aaron Wilson. Both finished the game with two goals and two assists and were key to the team's first half comeback. Crawford currently leads the team with 19 points (6g, 13a) and Wilson is a close second with 18 points (10g, 8a).

The Stealth are currently the league's only remaining undefeated team at 5-0 and lead the league in goals scored with 73. More than a third of those goals have come from the duo of the NLL's leading scorer F Jeff Zywicki (13g, 22a), and F Lewis Ratcliff (14g, 15a) who ranks fourth.

Minnesota is 4-1 all-time against the Stealth and the two teams split the season series last year, with each team winning in their respected arena.

Fans in attendance during next weekend's game against Washington will have a chance to win in-game prizes, including jewelry, getaways and more to celebrate "Say I Do Night." Fans can also participate in a poker tournament in the arena sponsored by Running Aces. The Swarm will welcome a special visit from coaches of the Notre Dame Women's Lacrosse team who will be hosting a pre-game clinic for girls in grades 6-12.

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