Sports stats



Swarm exact revenge

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


SAINT PAUL, MN - There was no love lost between the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (2-4) and Washington Stealth (6-1) Saturday night as the Swarm came out with a huge 16-12 victory in front of 8,952 fans at Xcel Energy Center.

It was a badly-needed victory that puts the Swarm into a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. For the second week in a row, the West Division-rivals flaunted their muscle, this time with a bench-clearing brawl in the first half. After losing a tough one last week to Washington, Minnesota put together a complete game.

"Obviously a big win for us - a lot of team bonding tonight with all of that stuff going on," Head Coach Mike Lines said. "We sucked it up as a team and played very well defensively."

F Aaron Wilson tallied eight points (2g, 6a); F Ryan Benesch notched six points (3g, 3a); F Tim Campeau scored four goals and G Kevin Croswell stopped 28 shots.

The NLL-leading Stealth got on the board first, but F Kevin Ross (1g, 1a) and Campeau answered with a couple nice tallies to send the Stealth a message. A tic-tac-toe power-play goal by Wilson really set the tone. With momentum clearly in Minnesota's favor, Campeau and T Jay Thorimbert (3g, 0a) kept things rolling against the Stealth with two goals in a seven-second spurt.

A bench-clearing brawl ensued at the conclusion of the first quarter. Stealth G Tyler Richards and Swarm D Eric Pacey got into a scrum before other Stealth players jumped in and tempers flared. Game misconducts were handed out to Minnesota's Pacey and F Sean Pollock, also to Washington D Mike Grimes.

Thorimbert scored his second of the game before the Swarm took a five-minute penalty. The Stealth mounted a mini rally of their own before Wilson and Benesch (3g, 3a) extended the lead. A late-break goal from the Stealth sent the two teams into half time with Minnesota up 8-6.

The Swarm came out in the second half looking to finish what they started, something Head Coach Mike Lines stressed this week in practice. Benesch buried a nice pass from D Andrew Watt (0g, 1a) and F Callum Crawford (2g, 3a) followed suit to start the second-half scoring in Minnesota's favor. Campeau completed the hat trick and the Swarm found themselves beating the league's best team 11-7.

Washington came out firing in the fourth quarter, but officials disallowed a goal after Lines threw the challenge flag during a fourth-quarter play. Crawford lengthened the lead with a spin move through the slot before Watt and Washington D Eric Martin dropped the gloves, keeping up with the night's ongoing theme. Thorimbert added to his solid night, leveling Washington's goalie and picking up the loose ball for a breakaway goal. Minnesota never looked back.

Celebrate hockey night with the Swarm as they host the Colorado Mammoth next Saturday, February 20 at 7:35 p.m. CST at Xcel Energy Center. Fans in attendance will receive a limited edition Zack Greer hockey poster and watch Minnesota Mascots in a half-time lacrosse game. Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub will be hosting the post-game party with drink specials.

Lower level single game tickets can be purchased for as low as $24 to each of the remaining six 2010 home games. Tickets are available online at mnswarm.com or by calling 888-MN-SWARM.



National Lacrosse League Stories from February 13, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central