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Minnesota Swarm Fall Short to Bandits at the Hive

April 11, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


Minnesota Swarm vs. Buffalo Bandits
Minnesota Swarm vs. Buffalo Bandits
(Minnesota Swarm, Credit: Scott Pierson)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Swarm (5-10) fought hard in a back-and-forth game against the Buffalo Bandits (8-7) on Saturday night, but ultimately fell short, 12-9, in front of an energetic crowd of 8,986 on Ho-Chunk Nation Field at Xcel Energy Center. With the loss, Minnesota was eliminated from postseason play.

Forward Shayne Jackson (5g, 1a) had an incredible game for the Swarm, scoring a career-high five goals to go along with an assist as well. Jackson has now recorded three games with a hat trick or higher, and scored four of his five goals in the first half.

"Tonight it was a big game, but he always is a big impact player, whether he's on the score sheet or not is one thing, but tonight he got rewarded for all of his hard work and his leadership," Swarm coach Joe Sullivan said. "That's what we expect from him and a lot of the other guys, so it was nice to see him get the accolades tonight."

Minnesota received tough luck when both T Jordan MacIntosh and F Callum Crawford (3a) could not return in the second half due to injuries. Without two of its leaders, the team continued to fight back. The Swarm's never give up attitude was present throughout the game and Minnesota did get back within a goal twice after being down 5-0.

"When you lose a guy like MacIntosh and Crawford early in the game, you're going to always be pretty hard pressed...everybody had to play," Sullivan said.

Facing an early hole, the Swarm scored three straight and the lead was cut to two at the end of the first, 5-3. The Swarm's final goal in the quarter came from Jackson who scored with 2.8 seconds left. Buffalo tried to get another scoring run going at the beginning of the second but Minnesota answered back and went into halftime only trailing 8-6.

Minnesota got the early jump on Buffalo in the third with a goal by Dean Hill (1g) and cut the lead to 8-7. Buffalo then scored the next two goals to regain a comfortable 10-7 lead. Forward Miles Thompson (1g, 1a) then scored shortside early in the fourth to give the Swarm a last chance at a comeback, cutting the Bandits lead to two goals. Buffalo finished the game on a 2-1 run however and won 12-9.

With playoffs out of the picture, the Swarm's goal now is to become spoilers for anybody jockeying for playoff positioning.

"We're playing spoiler now so hopefully we can change the standings in any way and if a team makes the playoffs or doesn't, hopefully we can have a part in it," Jackson said. "... We have to get ready for Calgary next week because they're trying to make playoffs. Hopefully we can slow them down ."

The Swarm take on Calgary (5-11) next Saturday, April 18 at The Hive for Ladies Night . All fans in attendance that evening are welcome to stay in their seats at the conclusion the 7 p.m. Swarm game to enjoy a 30-minute acoustic performance from Kat Perkins, who was a Top 5 finalist on NBC's The Voice in 2014.

Prior to the game, the Swarm will be hosting their second annual Half-K Race aka "St. Paul's Shortest Race" presented by Coors Light. For $35, participants will receive a lower level ticket, Half-K Race t-shirt, and one free Coors Light at each of the following four locations: Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub, McGovern's Pub, The Liffey Irish Pub, and Burger Moes. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-MN-SWARM or visit www.mnswarm.com for purchasing information.




Images from this story

Minnesota Swarm vs. Buffalo Bandits
Minnesota Swarm vs. Buffalo Bandits
(Scott Pierson)		   

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