I go back to the Minnesota State Fair in 2007. Ryan Ward was there signing autographs.
I went to see him there before grabbing some deep fried chocolate chip cookies. Also,
there were some Swarm staff members like Jim Vanek there manning the booth. There I was invited to start blogging for the Swarm for the 2008 season
and I think Ryan was a bit
put off. The reason for that is because Ryan already had a framework in place for his Swarm blog, which he called Wards of Wisdom.
Pretty catchy but in the most puzzling and controversial move in Minnesota Swarm history, the team decided to go with my blog over Ryan's blog.
Just imagine all those Wards of Wisdom that Swarm fans missed out on and instead they still get this chopped liver.
Now there are people out there that now believe there is now a more puzzling and controversial move made by the Swarm than the
one mentioned above. I beg to differ but I will put up that last July's trade of Ryan Ward to the Edmonton Rush is a close second.
Swarm General Manager Marty O'Neill only traded the team's all time leader in goals, points and assists not to mention a great local
lacrosse ambassador to the Rush along with Justin Norbraten, Richard Morgan and Scott Stewart for Ryan Benesch, Richard Morgan and
the Rush's first pick in the 2009 entry draft wih Morgan was reacquired later in exchange for the draft pick. A startling move
that caught every one off guard and a move that may have a backstory that you could only get by ask Marty himself off the record.
No matter what happens in the future, the trade of Ryan Ward will have fans taking sides for or against with little room in between.
Then again, maybe Marty knows a little something, something about lacrosse. Oh sure, Ward has 21 goals and 29 assists and oh sure,
Scott Stewart is doing well on transition and the draft pick used for Corey Small is definitely a long term investment. But using
the critical and objective eye, the Swarm have reaped the benefits of this trade. Ryan Benesch has 18 goals and 40 assists and just
broke Ward's single game records for assists and points lsat Friday in Calgary. Scott Self has become one of the leaders of the
defense and Richard Morgan's size, big train like movements and scintillating break aways are making him a fan favorite.
Last weekend, the Minnesota Swarm (5-6) went to Edmonton to play the Rush (7-4) and they lost 16-14 but the real return of Ryan Ward occurs this
Saturday at The Hive as the Swarm host the Rush at 7:30 pm. I am sure Ward will receive a warm welcome, were not Philly yet, but
the importance of this game when it starts will overtake the welcoming back of ole #44.
With the Rush winning last weekend, they have the 1-0 series lead and are two games ahead of the Swarm in the standings. If the Swarm
win Saturday night, they will split the season series and finish with a 6-4 division record which may be crucial by season's end.
Of course, if the Rush win they win the season series, they earn the crucial tiebreaker. A win for the Rush or a Colorado Mammoth
loss puts the Rush into the playoffs for the first time. A win for the Swarm and a loss by the Mammoth put the Swarm into the
playoffs. Also, this is the last division game for the Swarm before they finish with four straight against the East.
Sean Pollock is looking to make history on Saturday as he is tied with Ward wtih 114 goals in Swarm regular season history. What
better way to break the record with Ward in The Hive to watch Pollock score off the pick and roll. The only player remaining from
the Swarm expansion draft in 2004, Pollock has outlasted nearly all Swarm players and will reach a milestone no one thought possible
back in the inaugural Swarm season in 2005.
Saturday's game will be the
first home game in Swarm history with a team captain not Ryan Cousins. Due to Cousins' firefighting training that makes him
unavailable for the rest of the season, the Swarm's leading scorer Aaron Wilson who has 27 goals and 37 assists. It is amazing
the impact Wilson has made with this team in just a year and half. In just 21 games with the Swarm, Wilson has already eclipsed
an hundred points with 107, which is the fastest any player has reached that milestone in team history. All of the experience
he received playing for thsoe mid 2000 Toronto Rock championsip teams, he has brought to Minnesota and his teammates have quickly
followed his lead.
The transition game was huge last weekend as Morgan, Jay Thorimbert and Andrew Watt got one goal each in both games. They have
combined for 17 goals this season already with more to come. Greer had his most impressive game last Saturday in Edmonotn netting
a hat trick. His behind the back goal in the game was #4 on the NLL's top ten plays of the week.
Ward is not the only former Swarm player making his first retutn to the Hive. Welcome back 2007 goal scoring sensation Dean Hill
as he is now in Edmonton. He was traded to Rochester along with Craig Point in the deal that brought Wilson here and now in
Edmonton, his quick stick skills have netted him 13 goals on the season.
It's always nice to take a look back in the Cold Swarm Time Machine but when game time strikes tomorrow night, its back to looking
forward for the next 60 minutes to get a win for the Swarm. All the hype over Ward coming back will be gone and so will the chances
for the Rush to win at The Hive. The Swarm score over 14 goals a game at home and are back.
Prediction: Minnesota Swarm 15 Edmonton Rush 13
Next Games After This Match Up
- Minnesota vs Rochester - Friday, April 9th, 2010 7:30 pm Central
- Edmonton vs Colorado - Friday, April 9th, 2010 8:00 pm Central
