Swarm Plays Back-to-Back Games this Weekend

Published on February 4, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm (2-1) returns to action with two games this weekend, Friday at Calgary (4-0), and Saturday vs. Colorado (2-2). Friday's game features the two best teams in the West Division at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, game time is set for 8:30 p.m. Central Time. On Saturday the Swarm returns home to host Colorado, 7:00 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center and the first 5000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Fifth Anniversary Swarm lacrosse ball.

This weekend marks the first of four weekends the Swarm plays back-to-back games. "We have to use our depth," Swarm General Manager Marty O'Neill said. "We're going to throw everything we've got at Calgary then regroup win lose or draw and come back against Colorado as tough as possible at home. It's a huge weekend for us because it's our two biggest divisional foes so every game is large."

Minnesota dropped its first game of the season to the defending NLL Champion Buffalo Bandits 10-9, January 24th at the Xcel Energy Center. Forwards Kevin Ross and Dean Hill each had a goal and three assists to lead the Swarm. Ross has a team leading nine assists and 14 points this season, forward Ryan Ward leads the team with seven goals. Goalie Kevin Croswell is 1-1 with a 7.31 goals-against-average (GAA) and an 8.52 save percentage (SV%), while Nick Patterson is 1-0 with a 9.00 GAA and .810 SV%. "We need an inspired game from Patterson," O'Neill said. "I think it's his turn to shine so we need him to play well in Calgary, he's done it before." Minnesota is 1-0 on the road and 1-1 at home this year.

Calgary is coming off its second victory over San Jose this season 16-13, January 24th in Calgary. Forward Tracey Kelusky led the team with 8 points (1-7=8) and forward Josh Sanderson added six (2-4=6), as goalie Pat Campbell made 38 saves in the win. The Roughnecks have six players with double digits in scoring, and three players with at least 20 points including Sanderson at 25 (8-17=25), forward Kaleb Toth (8-12=20), and Kelusky (5-15=20). "They transition a lot and that's their strength," said O'Neill. "Their goalie throws the ball well, the defense is up the floor attacking the net so we have to offset that with some our own transition, and we can't be turning the ball over with poor shots. They also have a really dangerous power play and we don't want to see them if we don't have to." Minnesota is 1-1 all-time against the Roughnecks with both games in Calgary. The Swarm won the first meeting 12-8 (1/20/06), and lost the last matchup 15-14 (1/27/07).

Minnesota will finish the weekend looking for its first ever win against Colorado. The Swarm have dropped two all-time meetings, both at home, 15-9 (4/1/05) and 11-9 (3/31/07). The Mammoth improved to 2-2 last weekend with a 12-8 victory over New York. Forwards Dan Carey (2-3=5) and Jamie Shewchuk (1-4=5) led the team with five points and goalie Andrew Leyshon made 31 saves in the win. Forward Gavin Prout leads the team with 15 points (6-9=15) and forward Brian Langtry is first in goals with eight, and second in points with 14. "It's going to be tougher to win traveling but with that said I think we're a good matchup with Colorado," O'Neill said. "They've found their game just in time to play us and just the big thing is we need to be able to come with the intensity again the second night in a row."

Swarm single game tickets are on sale now at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 888-MN-SWARM or by visiting www.mnswarm.com. Swarm Single game tickets are available in all price categories and range from $8.30 to $65.00 for Saturday's game.

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