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Minnesota Swarm Begin 2010 Regular Season On Sunday

January 8, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, MN - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm return to action this Sunday, January 10 at 4:00 p.m. CST when they take on the defending league champion Calgary Roughnecks at Pengrowth Saddledome.

Sunday's game is the first of three match-ups between the two teams this season; both teams will meet again for the Swarm's home opener on Friday, January 15 at 7:35 p.m. CST at Xcel Energy Center and again in Calgary on Friday, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. CST.

Minnesota finished last season with a 6-10 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in four years. The Swarm lost to Calgary twice last season both on the road, 13-8, and at home, 13-10. Calgary currently holds the all-time series lead, 3-1.

This season, the Swarm are looking to return to the playoffs equipped with a roster that features eight new faces as well as a completely different coaching staff led by first year Head Coach Mike Lines.

"The first game is going to be a tough fight for everybody. With Calgary coming off their championship season last year, we know that they have a great club and we feel that we have a good idea of what they will bring," said Lines. "It's just a matter of us playing our game and not worrying about what Calgary is going to do."

One of the new faces that is sure to draw a lot of attention on the roster this season is rookie forward Zack Greer, who the Swarm selected third overall in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft. Greer, 23, enters his first year in the league after becoming the NCAA's all-time leading point and goal scorer in Division I history. Minnesota is hoping Greer can help improve a Swarm offense that ranked in the bottom third of the league in goals scored last season.

"Zack's got his head on his shoulders pretty well. He's got better with each scrimmage and practice that has gone on thus far," said Lines.

Returning on offense for Minnesota this season are the team's top two scorers from 2009 in Sean Pollock and Aaron Wilson as well as "2009 All-Rookie Team" honoree Kevin Buchanan. Also new to the club this season are savvy veteran defenders Scott Self and Rich Morgan, who were acquired via trade this offseason. Together the two bring a combined 15 years of NLL experience to the team and are expected to help 2010 Swarm Captain Ryan Cousins anchor a deep defense in 2010.

Fans can catch Sunday's game LIVE on Channel 45, which is available on cable channel 12 (on most metro cable stations) and is carried on DirecTV and Dish Network satellite systems. Jake Elliott will serve as the game's play-by-play announcer and the Swarm's own Travis Hill will provide color commentary. Hill is currently on the Injured Reserve List this season recovering from an ACL injury.

Visit mnswarm.com for the Swarm's free live blog powered by CoveritLive for additional insights on the action. The live blog is available for all Swarm away games and is compatible with Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Fans can also watch any 2010 Swarm game live and free of charge with Swarm Vision Live.



National Lacrosse League Stories from January 8, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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