Minnesota Swarm (9-5 H 6-1 A 3-4)

vs
Chicago Shamrox (5-9 H 3-4 A 2-5)

The Lets Go Riot, I Mean Ryan Ward Edition of Minnesota Swarm Lacrosse

Friday, April 25, 2008 - 7:00pm CST
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

Live Statistics

Minnesota Swarm Game Center

TV/Internet/Radio Coverage: None

Webcast: B2 Networks $7.00 per game

More Coverage of this game at:

Swarm v. Shamrox History:

This weekend is the beginning of a home and home series between the two teams to finish the regular season. These two teams have already played each other twice this season with the home team winning each time. On March 14 at the X, the Swarm jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held on to win 13-9. Craig Point (25g 32a) led the Swarm with four goals and two assists. The second game was at the Sears Centre, where the Shamrox scored ten straight goals after being down 5-1 after the first quarter to win 15-10. Andy Secore (26g 42a) led the Swarm with two goals and five assists.

Rosters:

Regular Season Statistics:

2008 NLL Standings

Former Shamrox With The Swarm:

Former Swarm With The Shamrox:

• Brock Boyle (0g 5a)
• Darryl Gibson (0g 0a)

Minnesota Swarm Promotions:

• Fan Celebration Night
• The first 10,000 fans will receive a Swarm Team Poster

Jon Sullivan - Consecutive Game Streak - 48

The Minnesota Swarm clinched their third straight playoff spot last weekend even though they lost to the Rochester Knighthawks (8-7) by a score of 11-8 on April 19. Sean Pollock (21g 32a) led the Swarm with one goal and three assists. Both Secore and Dan Marohl (5g 9a) each scored two goals.

The Chicago Shamrox's playoff hopes ended last weekend as they were swept on the road. The sweep began in New York on April 18, when the Titans (9-6) doubled up the Shamrox 14-7. The next night, the Shamrox traveled to Buffalo to play the Bandits. The game was close throughout but the Bandits (9-6) finally pulled away with a 13-9 victory.

One win this weekend will clinch the Swarm's first ever home playoff game. The key for the Swarm will be to have better ball movement and to attack the inside more on offense. Ryan Ward (28g 34a) had what may have been his worst game ever as a member of the Swarm last weekend. Just ask him, he may agree. He took only eight shots and only three of those were on goal. He ended the night scoreless for only the second time in his time with the Swarm. The only other time was also against the Knighthawks at the X on January 21, 2006. It won't happen again anytime soon and it won't happen again considering Ward has a lot to do with it. Expect a huge game on Friday by Ward as he gets back on track in time for the playoff run.

Jonas Derks (19g 24a) and Mat Giles (22g 20a) have elevated their games in the second half of the season for the Shamrox. Derks in just eleven games has average a tad under four points per game. Bobby McBride (8g 13a) was a rookie free agent signing by the Shamrox before this season and has proved to be the Shamrox's best transition threat. The Swarm will have to keep an eye on Cody Jacobs (16g 14a) who scored half of his goals (8) this season in the first two games this season against the Swarm. Unfortunately for Swarm fans, it looks like both former Swarm players Brock Boyle and Darryl Gibson are out for the season with injuries.

Playing at home in the playoffs is crucial not only for the Swarm but for every team in the NLL. The last two years of traveling to play Sunday afternoon playoff games in Buffalo has been dreadful at best. That makes this the next and most important game in franchise history. The Shamrox can not stop the inevitable and the Swarm can not be stopped in the qwest for home field advantage. Like I said earlier, look for Ward to lead the way to victory and lead it big.

Prediction: Minnesota Swarm 15 Chicago Shamrox 9