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Minnesota Swarm On Verge Of Clinching First East Division Title

April 23, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Already part of the 2008 National Lacrosse League (NLL) playoff picture, the East Division-leading Minnesota Swarm concludes regular-season action this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Chicago Shamrox. Minnesota hosts Chicago in its home finale at Xcel Energy Center on Friday (April 25) at 7:00 p.m., before the Swarm plays its last post-season tune-up Saturday (April 26 at 7 PM) at Sears Centre Arena in Illinois against the Shamrox. Friday is Fan Celebration Night and the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Swarm team poster.

The Swarm (9-5 overall, 6-1 at Xcel Energy Center) holds down a 1-1 record in 2008 vs. Chicago (5-9, 2-5 on the road). Minnesota defeated the Shamrox 13-9 on March 14 in Saint Paul before Chicago shaded the visiting Swarm 15-10 March 29. Making starts in the Swarm net for both of those games, G Nick Patterson has compiled a 1-0 record with an 11.88 goals against average and .765 save percentage (Patterson is 9-4 on the season with an 11.97 GAA and .769 save pct). F Andy Secore, Minnesota's leading scorer to date with 68 points (26-42=68) in 12 GP, has collected 11 points (4-7=11) vs. Chicago and rookie F Craig Point has notched nine points (5-4=9) when facing the Shamrox this season. On the other hand, F Cody Jacobs has led Chicago offensively in the two meetings with Minnesota, netting eight goals and two assists while Shamrox G Matt Roik is 1-1 with an 11.00 GAA and .807 save pct. The Swarm is 2-2 all-time (1-1 at Xcel Energy Center) vs. Chicago.

Minnesota, which has earned a playoff berth for the third straight season, begins chasing its first Champion's Cup title in opening-round divisional action against a to-be-determined opponent the weekend of May 2-4. The following scenarios affect the Swarm's post-season positioning:

- The Swarm clinches the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with two wins against Chicago.

- The Swarm clinches the East Division title with at least one win against Chicago this weekend AND one of the following: Buffalo losses to Portland or a New York win over Rochester AND Philadelphia win over Toronto.

If Minnesota loses both games to Chicago this weekend, the Swarm would still clinch a home playoff game with a New York loss to Rochester AND a Buffalo win over Portland AND a Philadelphia loss to Toronto.

MINNESOTA SWARM 2008 NLL PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION RELEASED

Tickets for the Swarm's potential first-round Champion's Cup Playoff game at Xcel Energy Center are on sale now at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office (175 West Kellogg Boulevard) and all Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) locations or charge by calling Ticketmaster at (651) 989-5151. Ticket prices range from $15.00 to $35.00 per game.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 23, 2008


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