Minnesota Swarm (2-2 H 0-2 A 2-0)

vs
Rochester Knighthawks (3-1 H 2-0 A 1-1)

January 29th, 2006, 5:00 pm CST
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

Live: B2 Networks: $6.00 per game

Live statistics at: http://www.pointstreak.com

Minnesota Swarm website: http://www.mnswarm.com
Minnesota Swarm message board: http://boards.mnswarm.com/
National Lacrosse League website: http://www.nll.com
NLL message board: http://www.wingszone.com/nllmb/

Series: Series tied 2-2

Swarm Notes

Knighthawk Notes

The Swarm take on the Knighthawks for the second straight game. Last Saturday, the Knighthawks beat the Swarm 12-6 at the Xcel Energy Center behind Knighthawks goalie Pat O'Toole's 45 saves.

The National Lacrosse League on Wednesday named Swarm goalie #93 Nick Patterson the Week 4 Player of the Week for his 47 save performance against the Calgary Roughnecks on January 20th. The Swarm won the game 12-8.

See the story at http://www.mnswarm.com/news/news.asp?news_id=133

The Hive, the Unofficial Official Swarm Fan Club, will have its third ever Swarm tailgate in the Seven Corners Parking lot across the street from the NW entrance, intersection of Kellogg and West Seventh, of the Xcel Energy Center. It should be starting around 1:30 and last to about 4pm. See more details at http://boards.mnswarm.com/findex.php...topic537&st=135

Ali-Star voting has begun for the NLL all-star game in Toronto on February 25th at 3pm. Remember to vote for the Swarm all the time.
http://www.nll.com/article_2190.shtml

More statistics on the Swarm at Pointstreak http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/teampl...56&seasonid=977

Standings:
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/standi...30&seasonid=977

The Swarm are looking to give the hometown fans a win this weekend. With only one game this weekend, expect a strong and fast performance with all guns blazing. Who will start in goal for the Swarm, Patterson or #1 Matt Disher. Disher has done rather well in his career against the Knighthawks; however, Patterson is sizzling hot and the fans wouldn't mind seeing him make a home start.

The Swarm offense looks to get back on track Sunday. Once again, #44 Ryan Ward and #40 Jamie Taylor will lead the way. Ward is tied for the team lead in goals with 6 along with #11 Kelly Hall and #22 Kasey Beirnes. Taylor leads the team in assists with 12 and points with 16. Taylor is 6th in the league in assists and 8th in overall scoring. Expect more shots in the goal this weekend as the Swarm adjust to O'Toole.

The Swarm defense has looked quite solid this year in comparison to last year. The presence of #19 Darryl Gibson this year has given the defense the veteran leadership needed. #12 Eric Pacey should be back in the line up after missing last Saturday night's game with an injured right hand. Expect Knighthawks #24 John Grant to come out with a fury after seeing his 52 game goal scoring streak end last Saturday night against the Swarm. Once again, Grant will be shadowed by Swarm players like #50 Ryan Cousins and #23 Jon Sullivan.

The Knighthawks have a home game Saturday night against the hated rival the Buffalo Bandits (2-0) who lead the East Division. Will the Knighthawks struggle with the second game of the weekend against the Swarm like the Swarm did last weekend, well time will tell? With a win, the Swarm will begin the season very successfully and in the thick of the playoff race. Most experts figured the Swarm for last place, but the team is playing beyond other people's expectations.

Main Players

Swarm Righties
#17 Sean Pollock
#22 Kasey Beirnes
#44 Ryan Ward
#66 D'arcy Berthiaume

Swarm Lefties
#10 Chad Culp
#11 Kelly Hall
#40 Jamie Taylor
#7 Tony Henderson

Swarm Defense
#24 Brock Boyle
#77 Riley Kemp
#50 Ryan Cousins
#23 Jon Sullivan
#55 Michael Kilby
#12 Eric Pacey
#19 Darryl Gibson
#16 Noah Talbot

Swarm Faceoff
#39 Mark Miyashita
#48 Nolan Heavenor

Swarm Goalies
#1 Matt Disher
#93 Nick Patterson

Swarm Head Coach
Adam Mueller

Knighthawk Lefties
#24 John Grant
#51 Shawn Williams
#32 Ken Millin
#37 Andrew Burkholder

Knighthawk Righties
#44 Mike Accursi
#15 Shawn Evans
#19 Scott Evans
#14 Ryan O'Connor

Knighthawk Defense
#10 Mike Hasen
#17 Steve Toll
#11 Regy Thorpe
#5 Sandy Chapman
#20 Steve Penny
#42 Pat Cougevan
#25 Scott Ditzell
#2 Chris Schiller

Knighthawks Faceoff
#23 Stephen Hoar

Knighthawks Goalie
#39 Pat O'Toole

Knighthawks Coach
Ed Comeau

My prediction is Swarm 12 Knighthawks 11. Defense will be in vogue for both teams on Sunday.

Next game is February 3rd at 8:30 pm CST at Edmonton to play the expansion Rush.