Minnesota Swarm Face Crucial Back-To-Back Road Games This Weekend

Published on March 24, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, MN - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (4-5) will play two games in as many nights when they travel to face division rivals, Calgary (6-4) and Edmonton (6-4) this weekend. The Swarm will first battle the Roughnecks on Friday, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. CST at Pengrowth Saddledome and will then fly out to Edmonton to take on the Rush the following night at 8:00 p.m. at Rexall Place.

Minnesota had won three games in a row before falling to the Philadelphia Wings two weeks ago on the road, 20-11. F Ryan Benesch provided a valid effort in the defeat, netting seven points (3g, 4a), but Philadelphia proved to be too much in the second half outscoring Minnesota, 12-4.

"It was a disappointing loss," said Assistant Coach Aime Caines. "We are a better team than what we showed that night. We are ready to get going again this week. Right now we are fortunate to be in a playoff spot so every game until the end of the year is going to have playoff indications."

The Swarm has already seen Calgary twice this season. Minnesota lost its season opener to the Roughnecks on the road back on Jan. 10, 12-7. Five days later at Xcel Energy Center, the Swarm bounced back and defeated the defending NLL champions, 12-10.

"I think we will see a tough, hard-nosed game," said Head Coach Mike Lines. "Both teams have definitely changed a lot since the beginning of the year. I expect to see much of what we saw earlier in the year - a physical matchup with lots of running and tough defense."

The Roughnecks have been one of the league's hottest teams as of late, winning five of their last six games after a 1-3 start. F Josh Sanderson has continued to be a dominant force in Calgary's lineup, leading the league in scoring with 72 points (23g, 49a).

Edmonton on the other hand has showcased a balanced scoring attack similar to the Swarm. The Rush has been led by two offseason additions, former Swarm F Ryan Ward (19g, 24a) and F Gavin Prout (14g, 25a). Edmonton likewise has been a hot team as of late, winning three of their last four games.

"Every team goes through it," said Lines on this weekend's back-to-back. "Back-to-back games are not a bad thing, it doesn't happen that often. The quick turnaround obviously does not allow you to prepare as well as you would like for the second game. You are more focused on the first game at hand, but it's part of the game so you deal with it."

The Swarm has yet to face the Rush this season. Minnesota has won both matchups in the all-time series, which included a 9-7 victory at home last year on April 4.

Fans can watch this weekend's games LIVE on mnswarm.com with Swarm Vision and can also join the Swarm's gameday blog powered by CoveritLive for additional insights on the action. Fans not near a computer during the game can text "SWARM TURF" to 91944 to receive halftime and final score updates.

Minnesota returns home against the Rush on Saturday, April 3 at 7:35 p.m. CST at Xcel Energy Center. The team will be wearing pink and black uniforms in addition to specially made pink Reebok helmets for Hive Cares night.

Fans can purchase the Onword Spirit "Swarm On" T-Shirt Ticket Package for $25 and receive a ticket to the game along with a special commemorative Hive Cares T-shirt, $3 of which will go to the Grace Fund on behalf of Julie Johnson. Tickets are available online at mnswarm.com or by calling 888-MN-SWARM.

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