Minnesota Swarm Wrap Up Regular Season Against Orlando

Published on April 21, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, MN - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (5-10) will play their final regular season game of the year against the Orlando Titans (9-5) this Saturday, April 24 at 7:35 p.m. CST at Xcel Energy Center. The Swarm clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division last Friday night when the Colorado Mammoth lost to the Boston Blazers. Orlando will enter the playoffs as the #1 seed in the East after clinching their division on April 14.

Minnesota suffered their fourth one-goal loss of the season last Saturday, losing at home to the Philadelphia Wings in overtime, 13-12. F Aaron Wilson led the Swarm with six points (3g, 3a) and F Kevin Ross (3g, 1a) and F Ryan Benesch (3g, 2a) tallied hat tricks in the defeat.

Swarm Head Coach Mike Lines says he will approach this week's game against Orlando no differently than any other week, even though the team has already secured a playoff spot.

"It's a game we would like to win obviously," Lines said. "Making the playoffs gave us some confidence, but at the same time we are on a five-game losing streak, which is not the way you want to head into the postseason. We will be looking to regain some confidence this week."

In the last two season finales at Xcel Energy Center, the Titans have sent Swarm players and fans alike home with a bitter taste in their mouths. In 2008, the Titans defeated Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs, 11-8. Last season, the Titans beat the Swarm in the final game of the regular season, 12-10.

"These guys have ended our season on a sour note the last couple of years," said Head Coach Mike Lines. "That's something we would like to change this season."

The Swarm is currently on a five-game losing streak after starting the season with a 5-5 record. While it has been an up and down ride for the team record wise, the trio of F Callum Crawford, F Aaron Wilson and F Ryan Benesch have been steady all season long for the Swarm. Crawford is currently second in the NLL in scoring with 89 points (29g, 60a) and has already more than doubled his previous career-high in points (41).

Wilson has notched 38 goals, and only trails the Stealth's F Lewis Ratcliff for the league lead. His 85 points also rank fourth in the league in scoring. Former 2007 Rookie of the Year, Ryan Benesch managed to set a personal and franchise high for most points in a game (11) against Calgary on Mar. 26. Despite missing one game with an illness, Benesch ranks 11th in the league in scoring with 79 points (26g, 53a).

"We were one goal away from winning another four or five games and having a great regular season," Lines said. "We've thrown games away, but at the same time we have been able to see what a lot of players can do, which is a positive. It's frustrating to not be able to play 60 minutes of lacrosse. Everyone who has watched our games this year knows that we can play with anybody at times."

Fans can celebrate "Graduation Night" at the final game of the regular season and receive 2010 Swarm Team posters. Local students will also be recognized for their academic accomplishments. Singer-songwriter Jeremy Smith will perform live on the turf immediately following the game and a special post-game autograph session will be held for season-ticket holders. Tickets are available online at mnswarm.com or by calling 888-MN-SWARM.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 21, 2010


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