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Minnesota Swarm Host Calgary this Saturday Night

April 17, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Swarm (5-10) hosts the Calgary Roughnecks (5-11) on Ho-Chunk Nation Field at Xcel Energy Center this Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. showdown during Ladies Night at The Hive. The game is also available online by visiting UniversalSports.com (U.S.).

All fans in attendance on Saturday are welcome to stay in their seats at the conclusion the game to enjoy a 30-minute acoustic performance from Kat Perkins, who was a Top 5 finalist on NBC's The Voice in 2014. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-MN-SWARM or visit www.mnswarm.com for purchasing information.

The Swarm is coming off a recent 12-9 loss to the Buffalo Bandits (8-7) last weekend at The Hive. The loss eliminated Minnesota from postseason play, however the team remains optimistic about its remaining three games of the season. Playing the role of a spoiler is now the talk of the team as potential playoff teams come face-to-face with the Swarm.

"It's very disappointing to be eliminated and not going to the last game still fighting for the playoffs, but our guys are professionals," assistant coach Aime Caines said. "So we're going to have some young guys in the lineup next weekend really fighting for jobs for next year."

Minnesota faces the Edmonton Rush (10-5) on April 25 and the Rochester Knighthawks (10-4) on May 2, both of whom have locked up spots in the playoffs but where they end up and who they play could lie in the Swarm's hands.

This weekend's opponent, Calgary, is a team on the outside looking in and is trying to bump Vancouver (5-10) out of the last spot in the West. Minnesota is hoping to put an end to that with a win.

Forward Shayne Jackson continues to post big numbers this season after scoring a career-high five goals against Buffalo. Jackson currently sits 18th in the league with 27 goals and his 37 assists leave him tied for 15th, where he is tied with three other players in the NLL along with fellow Swarm teammate F Johnny Powless (9g, 37a).

"He's leading our team in points, he's really stepped up not only as an offensive threat and a goal scorer but a leader on our team," Caines said of Jackson's role with the team. "I think he's stepped up into that role and he's been great in the locker room. He's really shown what he can do; five goals last game, we're really pleased with his play."

The Roughnecks are coming off a close 11-9 loss to Edmonton last Saturday night. The Swarm's defense will have to be ready to keep the NLL's leading scorer F Shawn Evans (40g, 77a) off the scoreboard. Evans set a new NLL record with his 117th point last weekend.

Earlier this week, the Swarm announced that F Callum Crawford will miss the rest of the season due to an upper body injury that occurred last Saturday. Rookie F Joe Maracle will take his place on the active roster.



National Lacrosse League Stories from April 17, 2015


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