Minnesota Swarm (8-4 H 5-0 A 3-4)

vs.
Philadelphia Wings (8-4 H 7-0 A 1-4)

The Battle for First Place Edition of Minnesota Swarm Lacrosse

Saturday, April 12, 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. Wings History:

The Swarm had a 7-6 lead after three but were outscored 11-1 in the fourth by the Wings who won 17-8 on February 22 in Philadelphia. Craig Point (23g 28a) led the Swarm with three goals and one assist. Nick Patterson (8-3 11.90 GAA .770 Save %) made 54 saves on 69 shots, both of which are Swarm single game records.

Rosters:

Regular Season Statistics:

2008 NLL Standings

Former Wings With The Swarm:

• Keith Cromwell (3g 7a)
• Dan Marohl (2g 7a)
• Marty O'Neill
• Ryan Ward (25g 32a)

Former Swarm With The Wings:

• Shawn Nadelen (0g 6a)

Minnesota Swarm Promotions:

• Heroes Night
• The first 5,000 fans get a Swarm lacrosse ball

Jon Sullivan - Consecutive Game Streak - 46

Dean Hill v. Craig Point - Who's winning the side bet?

The Minnesota Swarm (8-4) have already won the first of four straight games at home. That first win occurred last Saturday night when the Swarm came back from a 7-5 third quarter defecit to defeat the New York Titans (6-6), 12-9. Ward scored three goals and four assists and Sean Pollock (19g 27a) scored a hat trick in the fourth quarter to lead the surge at the end.

The Philadelphia Wings (8-4) split their two games last weekend. Last Saturday, they lost seven seconds into overtime in Chicago to the Shamrox (4-7) by a score of 15-14. The following night, the Wings were held to a season low eleven goals but still beat the Toronto Rock (7-6), 11-9. Before the Wings come to the X this Saturday, they will play this Friday in Portland against the LumberJax (5-8).

Ryan Sharp (8g 8a) and Kyle Ross (3g 6a) both made successful returns to the lineup last weekend to counter New York's speed. The team is relatively healthy for the first time in about a month and half and with the added depth acquired of Ian Rubel (0g 0a), Andrew Biers (1g 2a) and Cromwell, the Swarm are ready to make a run for first place. In addition, Dan Marohl (2g 7a) may make a return to the active roster this week against his former team.

Athan Iannucci (54g 22a) is on a record pace for the Wings. With eight more goals, Iannucci will break Gary Gait's record of 61 goals scored in a season which he achieved in 2003 with the Colorado Mammoth. With the Wings playing the LumberJax the night before, Iannucci will probably be in line to break the record against the Swarm on Saturday. In the game in February, Iannucci scored six goals, so it maybe a foregone conclusion that the record will fall this weekend. At the trade deadline, the Wings picked up Brandon Miller (1-4 16.58 GAA .718 Save %) to back up starting goaltender Rob Blasdell (8-2 13.49 GAA .742) to make a solid duo in the nets for the Wings.

Both teams have the ability to clinch a playoff spot this weekend. The Swarm can clinch with a win and losses by the Knighthawks and Titans. The Wings can clinch with two wins this weekend and a Titans or Rock loss. The winner of this game will remain in first place with two weeks to go and if the Wings win, they will sweep the Swarm and earn the tiebreaker against them. Already having lost the tiebreaker to Buffalo, a tiebreaker loss to the Wings could very well cost the Swarm the division title and/or first round home playoff game.

The Wings have struggled on the road having given up an average of 17.8 goals per game and 20 or more goals a game three times. The Swarm are a perfect 5-0 at home having given up 9 or less goals four times for an average of 8.8 goals given up per game. The Swarm like the Wings have been unbeatable at home and should continue that way especially with the Wings having to play in Portland the night before. The memory of February's loss in Philadelphia also should add fuel to the fire for the Swarm. If the Swarm can stay steady for a full 60 minutes, victory will be achieved.

Prediction: Minnesota Swarm 17 Philadelphia Wings 16