Minnesota Swarm (2-3 H 0-3 A 2-0)

vs
Edmonton Rush (0-4 H 0-2 A 0-2)

February 3rd, 2006, 8:30 pm CST
Rexall Place
Edmonton, Alberta

Live: B2 Networks: $6.00 per game

Live: Just A Game (Rush Radio Broadcast): http://www.justagame.ca/index.php

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: Never Played

Rush Notes

The Swarm come of a 10-9 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks on Sunday, January 29th at the Xcel Energy Center. #24 Brock Boyle (3-0), #44 Ryan Ward (0-5) and #11 Kelly Hall (2-2) led the Swarm in scoring. #1 Matt Disher was in goal and saved 43 of 53 shots. The first half was owned by the Swarm as they got out to a 4-2 lead after the 1st and 7-4 at half. A couple breakaway goals by Boyle and a dive across the crease goal by #17 Sean Pollock sparked the Swarm. However, in the 2nd Half it was the John Grant show for the Knighthawks as he scored all 3 goals scored by both teams in the 3rd and tallied yet another 2 in the 4th. The Swarm like the weekend before struggled offensively in the 2nd Half but was in the game until the end. The Swarm are 0-3 at home as 7,544 came to watch the game.

All-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 traveling to Edmonton for a game Friday against the expansion Rush. The Rush are 0-4 so far this year after a 14-8 loss to the Toronto Rock last Friday night. The Rush are strong defensively but have had trouble offensively especially on the power play.

The Rush have three former Swarm players from last year's inaugural team:

#84 - Kerry Susheski
#23- Teddy Jenner
#20 - Trent Smalley

In addition, Heavenor brothers will be battling each other with the Swarm's #28 Nolan and older brother #17 Tyler for the Rush. Also 9 Swarm players and 8 Rush players played together on the 2005 Mann Cup champions, the Victoria Shamrocks.

The Swarm offense will do battle against the Rush's defense which except for last week has done well this year. #26 Andrew Turner, the 2005 NLL defensive player of the year, came over in a trade from the Rochester Knighthawks to lead the defense. The Rush captain is once again playing well and leads by example. #6 Cam Bergman is a speedy defenseman who can transition quickly into a breakaway. The Swarm should have #22 Kasey Beirnes back this Friday to help quarterback the offense. His return should give the offense better ball movement and open up holes for shots to be taken. Both #44 Ryan Ward (13 assists) and #40 Jamie Taylor (12 assists) will continue to feed our top goal scorers #10 Chad Culp (7 goals) and #11 Kelly Hall (7 goals). Both Culp and Hall will let it rip from the left side.

The Rush offense is led by #81 Jim Quinlan, #15 Jamey Bowen and #84 Kerry Susheski. Quinlan, who won the NLL championship with Toronto last year, comes to the Rush with an opportunity to play and make his mark. However, the Rush average only 8.75 goals a game which is second least in the league and are tied with Philadelphia for the worst power play in the league at 25% (6 of 24). The Swarm will look to apply pressure and force turnovers. If that happens, expect a couple breakaway goals by #24 Brock Boyle. Boyle, is tied with Rochester's Steve Toll in defensemen scoring with 11 points and is tied with Colorado's Jay Jalbert in goals for a defensemen with 6.

#93 Nick Patterson is expected to be in goal for the Swarm. He has been a road warrior this year for the Swarm. Both Swarm victories are on the road and Patterson started and finished both games. He has only given up 9 goals a game on the road. The Rush should counter with #37 Pat Campbell who has been solid in goal for the expansion Rush with a 12.16 goals against average per game.

Main Players

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

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

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

Swarm Faceoff
#39 Mark Miyashita

Swarm Goalies
#93 Nick Patterson
#1 Matt Disher

Swarm Head Coach
Adam Mueller

Rush Lefties
#32 Jordan Cornfield
#19 Brad Dairon
#9 Randy Daly
#81 Jim Quinlan

Rush Righties
#84 Kerry Susheski
#15 Jamey Bowen
#17 Tyler Heavenor
#18 Kevin Howard

Rush Defense
#26 Andrew Turner
#23 Teddy Jenner
#6 Cam Bergman
#43 Rory Glaves
#20 Trent Smalley
#44 Chris McElroy
#21 Darren Hiller
#29 Buck Stobart
#74 Chris Stachniak

Rush Faceoff
#27 Jordan Sundher

Rush Goalie
#37 Pat Campbell

Rush Coach
Paul Day

My prediction is Swarm 12 Rush 9. The Rush will put on a good show but the Swarm will have more horses offensively to get the win and Patterson will be too tough in the net.

Next game is February 10ih at 7:00 pm CST against the Philadelphia Wings at the Xcel Energy Center.