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Swarm loses to Rochester

April 10, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, MN - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (5-8) remain in hot pursuit of playoff lacrosse. After falling in the final minutes to the Rochester Knighthawks (6-7) by a score of 12-11 Friday night in front of 9,193 fans at Xcel Energy Center, the Swarm could still punch their playoff tickets with a win and one Colorado loss Saturday night.

Rochester arrived in Minnesota hoping for a turnaround on the road after posting four straight losses on their home turf, a franchise record. What they found was a gutty, persistent effort against a similarly struggling team. It was the Swarm's third-straight loss but a hard-fought effort gave the team something to build on. Minnesota created plenty of chances and Head Coach Mike Lines was pleased with the overall effort.

"It was a tough game; we missed on a couple opportunities," Head Coach Mike Lines said. "But we really battled until the end and that's a great sign."

In only his 13th game with the Minnesota Swarm, F Callum Crawford set the franchise record for points in a single season, notching six on the night (2g, 4a).

Crawford, who was named NLL Offensive Player of the Week after his 10-point performance (5g, 5a) last Saturday, tied the franchise single-season scoring record in the second quarter with a gritty individual effort, driving to the net and burying his 27th of the year. Just minutes later, he snatched the record all to himself with a blast from the point. Andy Secore, who now plays for the Edmonton Rush, held the previous record with 76 points (28g, 48a) in 2008.

Crawford isn't the only one chasing records: F Aaron Wilson (3g, 3a) remains hot on his tail with 75 points (32g, 43a) and is one tally shy of the single-season goals record (33).

Big D Rich Morgan made his presence felt all night, helping start a late rally by drawing a penalty with another one of his monster hits. One Knighthawk mouthed off to the ref in displeasure, receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and minutes later, F Tim Campeau (1g, 2a) sniped the upper-left corner to bring the Swarm within one. Wilson answered Campeau with a bullet of his own, this time in the opposite corner, tying the game 11-11 with two minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

Less than one minute after Minnesota tied the game, Rochester F Bobby McBride (2g, 0a) streaked downfield for the winning goal. The Knighthawks staved off a last-minute rally, handing Minnesota another emotional loss that resulted with several skirmishes after the final buzzer.

F Ryan Benesch (1g, 4a) notched his 22nd goal of the year off a spin-move to bring the Swarm within one in the third quarter. F Sean Pollock added a three-point night (2g, 1a) and scored with his body sprawled out in mid-air to spark the home crowd and a Swarm rally. Swarm G Nick Patterson made 32 saves, including some game-saving stops that kept Minnesota within striking distance.

Watch the best lacrosse players with man's best friend on "Dog Night" next Saturday, April 17 when the Swarm face-off against the Philadelphia Wings at 7:35 p.m. CST at Xcel Energy Center. Fans in attendance with their dogs will have special seating accommodations. Proceeds will benefit Can Do Canines and 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 two 2010 home games. Tickets are available online at mnswarm.com or by calling 888-MN-SWARM.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 10, 2010


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