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Minnesota Swarm Hosts Portland LumberJax Saturday at 7:00 PM

April 13, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Minnesota Swarm hosts the Portland LumberJax on Saturday, April 15 at 7:00 PM as part of Fan Appreciation Night at Xcel Energy Center. The Swarm (8-7) can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win over Portland in its final game of the 2006 regular season or a loss by Philadelphia in one of its two games this weekend.

The following events and promotions will take place as part of Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday:

- The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a Swarm team poster.

- An autographed Swarm jersey will be given away each quarter.

- Battle of the Bands winner, Sunshine Behavior, will perform during the contest.

- Hooters girls will be in attendance and be on the turf in conjunction with a chicken wing-eating contest.

Minnesota took another step towards the postseason with a 9-8 overtime victory over the San Jose Stealth in front of 7,044 fans at Xcel Energy Center on Sunday in the second of back-to-back games for the Swarm. Jamie Taylor collected the game-winner 1:35 into the extra session. Nick Patterson made 40 saves to earn his sixth win of the season. Rookie Dean Hill, playing in his first career NLL contest, led the Swarm with four goals, while Kasey Beirnes added two goals and three assists. Minnesota was outshot 48-38 in the contest, but went 5-for-9 on the power play compared to 2-for-10 by San Jose.

The Swarm is 4-0 against the West Division this year and has already defeated Portland once this season. Minnesota scored six times in the fourth quarter to come back from an 11-8 deficit to earn a 14-12 come-from-behind road win over the LumberJax in their first meeting at the Rose Garden on March 17. Ryan Ward led the Swarm attack with a team-record ten points on three goals and seven assists while Beirnes added three goals and two assists. Patterson earned the win making 37 saves. Bruce Alexander led Portland in scoring with two goals and five assists. Matt King suffered the loss allowing 14 goals on 46 shots.

Ward leads the Swarm in scoring with 65 points (18-47=65) this season. He ranks 12th in the NLL in scoring and tied for 6th in assists. Beirnes (22-27=49) and Chad Culp (19-30=49) are tied for second on the club with 49 points each. Patterson (6-2) ranks third in the NLL with a 10.45 GAA and a .789 save percentage.

Swarm regular season single game tickets are available in all price categories and range from $12.00 to $27.00 per game. For more information on becoming a Minnesota Swarm season ticket holder please call (888) MN-SWARM. Fans can watch Saturday's game online via B2 networks for $6.00. To watch the game online go to www.mnswarm.com ten minutes before the start of a game and click on the WATCH THE GAME LIVE ON B2 link to purchase and watch the game. A high-speed connection is required.

ESPN2 will televise the 2006 NLL Championship Game live on Saturday, May 13 at 5:00 PM Central.

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