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Minnesota Swarm Host Calgary In Home Opener Friday

January 13, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, MN - Professional indoor lacrosse returns to Xcel Energy Center this Friday, January 15 at 7:35 p.m. CT when the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (0-1) hosts the Calgary Roughnecks (1-0). The two team's opened the 2010 regular season in Calgary this past Sunday, where the defending NLL champion Roughnecks defeated the Swarm 12-7. With the victory, Calgary has now won the last four contests between the two teams and holds a 4-1 series advantage.

F Ryan Benesch led Minnesota Sunday night with five points (2g, 3a) in his Swarm debut. F Aaron Wilson added three points (2g, 1a) and rookie F Zack Greer (1g, 1a) recorded his first career goal in the NLL. Greer's goal pulled the Swarm within one, 6-5, in the third quarter but the Roughnecks finished the game on a 6-2 scoring run to seal the 12-7 victory. F Josh Sanderson led the Roughnecks with a game-high 10 points (4g, 6a) and G Matt King allowed seven goals on 45 shots.

"I thought we opened the season pretty strong Sunday night. We came out fired up and battled back in the first half despite facing an early deficit," said first-year Head Coach Mike Lines. "We did not have an answer to their run in the second half and that was the bottom line."

Minnesota will get a boost offensively this week when veteran F Sean Pollock returns to the lineup after missing last week's game due to work commitments. Pollcok led the team in scoring last season with 65 points (26g, 39a).

The Swarm will be entering their sixth season at Xcel Energy Center in 2010 and their second season under the ownership of John and Andy Arlotta. Minnesota set a franchise record in attendance last season averaging over 12,300 fans a game.

This Friday, the Swarm will debut the Minnesota Swarm Band in effort to make gamedays even more interactive for fans this season. The Minnesota Swarm Band is comprised of 30-40 members of Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps and will play at each home game in 2010.

Fans in attendance at the home opener will receive gold rally rags to help celebrate Country Weekend at Xcel Energy Center. Local country signing star Tim Sigler will perform the national anthem and host a post-game concert. Fans also have the chance to win tickets and a meeting with Brad Paisley, who will be performing the following night at Xcel Energy Center. A full-size 3M NASCAR Simulator will also be on display along with NASCAR memorabilia.

An exclusive Channel 45 ticket package is available for the home opener and all Saturday home games this season. The package includes two tickets, two hot dogs and two sodas for just $45. To purchase the Channel 45 Pack visit ticketmaster.com.

Fans not in attendance can watch Friday's game LIVE on Swarm Vision by visiting mnswarm.com. Marcus Dee 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.



National Lacrosse League Stories from January 13, 2010


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