Minnesota Swarm 7-6
(Home 2-4 Road 5-2)

vs.
Rochester Knighthawks 7-7
(Home 4-2 Road 3-5)

April 8th, 2006, 6:35 pm CST
Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY

Series

• Overall: Rochester 3-2
• Home Overall: Rochester 2-1
• Road Overall: Tied 1-1
• This Season: Rochester 2-0
• Road This Season: N/A

The Swarm have struggled against the Rochester Knighthawks having lost twice at home to them. On January 21st, the Swarm fell 12-6 and on January 29th, the Swarm had a 7-4 halftime lead only to fall 10-9.

East Division Standings (x- clinched playoff berth)

1. x-Buffalo Bandits 9-4 (2-1 v. Swarm) Swarm lose tiebreaker
2. MINNESOTA SWARM 7-6 (4-6 IN DIVISION)
3. Philadelphia Wings 7-6 (1-2 v. Swarm) Swarm win tiebreaker
4. Rochester Knighthawks 7-7 (2-0 v. Swarm) Swarm lose tiebreaker
5. Toronto Rock 7-7 (Series tied and over at 1-1)

The Swarm are coming off a spectacular come from behind 10-9 victory over the Toronto Rock on April 1st at the Xcel Energy Center. Down 9-2 with 9:11 left in the third quarter, the Swarm came back with eight unanswered goals to take the victory. #1 Matt Disher came in the third quarter and made 12 of 13 saves. #44 Ryan Ward led the Swarm in scoring with one goal and four assists. #10 Brock Boyle, #15 Spencer Martin and #17 Sean Pollock each scored two goals. #39 Mark Miyashita got the game-winning goal and scooped up fifteen loose balls. If the Swarm are able to beat the Knighthawks and the Stealth on Sunday, they will clinch a playoff berth.

The Knighthawks lost their fourth straight against the Philadelphia Wings 8-7 on April 1st in Philadelphia. After leading the division for most of the year, the Knighthawks now are in a tie for last with the Toronto Rock. The Knighthawks need to win or they will be on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time ever in the team's eleven year history.
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Swarm Notes

#50 Ryan Cousins (2g 5a) will have his hands full again. This week it is #24 John Grant (48g 39a) who is the league's leading scorer. Grant maybe one of the most if not the most talented player in the league. He is big and has amazing stick handling skills. Cousins is who the Swarm will counter with along with any other player close by to put on the double team. When Grant doesn't shoot, there are two other Knighthawks who Grant can get the ball to, #51 Shawn Williams (28g 44a) and #44 Mike Accursi (22g 31a). Also, the Evans brothers, #15 Shawn (20 g 14a) and #19 Scott (18g 43a) can score and also can get very physical. Don't be surprised to see one of these two trying to start something with the Swarm. Expect to see #33 Shawn Summerfield (0g 1a) get a chance to play to help combat these two. Also, the Swarm have been very good on transition as #10 Brock Boyle (12g 10a) scored two and #77 Riley Kemp (3g 6a) and #39 Mark Miyashita (4g 6a) scored one each on breakaways against the Rock last Saturday.

The Swarm offense will be led by #44 Ryan Ward (16g 42a) who has taken on the role of directing the offense. Some would say he should have more goals and I thought he would have more too, but he has so good in getting others the ball to offset a perceived lack of goals. It doesn't mean he can't get them but when you have five other players with at least twelve goals, why not get them the ball. #15 Spencer Martin (4g 5a) had his best game as a Swarm last week with two goals as the Swarm continue to work him into the offense. Unfortunately for the Swarm, #11 Kelly Hall (16g 9a) hurt his heel off the floor a couple weeks ago and his status is uncertain. The Swarm could use him on the power play where he has scored nine times. Expect #19 Chad Culp(19g 25a) and #22 Kasey Beirnes (17g 24a) who combined for only one goal last Saturday to do quite a bit more. Hopefully, #17 Sean Pollock (14g 16a) has found his stride after scoring two last week. The Knighthawk defense came up with much needed good defensive effort last weekend only giving up eight goals in a 8-7 loss to Philadelphia. The Swarm will have to be careful as the Knighthawks have a very good and speedy transition player in #17 Steve Toll (13g 18a). The Knighthawks have given up an average of fourteen goals in their four game losing streak but they are home and their backs are against the walls. Expect the veterans on defense like #10 Mike Hasen (3g 3a) and #11 Regy Thorpe (1g 4a) not to lay down.

#39 Pat O'Toole, the East Division All-Star starting goalie, (7-6 11.36 GAA .773 Save %) will be in the nets for the Knighthawks. For Rochester, it is O'Toole or bust in the nets. Not so for the Swarm. The bet is that #1 Matt Disher (2-4 10.55 GAA .770 Save %) will get the nod Saturday night. He has played both previous games against the Knighthawks this season and according to General Manager Marty O'Neill, he played the best game in net for the Swarm in their 10-9 loss to the Knighthawks on January 29th. If Disher were to falter or not start, #93 Nick Patterson (5-2 10.81 GAA .784 Save %) will more than adequately save the day.
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The Swarm are confident and the Knighthawks are frustrated. A huge crowd will be in Rochester to support their local team but the Swarm are playing better now and win 9-8.

Swarm Righties
#44 Ryan Ward
#22 Kasey Beirnes
#17 Sean Pollock

Swarm Lefties
#19 Chad Culp
#11 Kelly Hall
#40 Jamie Taylor
#15 Spencer Martin
#8 Rory McDade
#73 Dean Hill

Swarm Defense
#50 Ryan Cousins
#23 Jon Sullivan
#10 Brock Boyle
#55 Michael Kilby
#77 Riley Kemp
#12 Eric Pacey
#16 Noah Talbot
#18 Andrew Biers
#33 Shawn Summerfield
#47 Travis Hill
#28 Nolan Heavenor

Swarm Face Off
# 39 Mark Miyashita (71 of 169, 42.0%)

Swarm Goalies
#93 Nick Patterson
#1 Matt Disher

Swarm General Manager
Marty O'Neill

Swarm Head Coach
Adam Mueller

Swarm Assistant Head Coaches
Paul St. John
Derek Moffat

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Knighthawk Lefties
#24 John Grant
#51 Shawn Williams
#14 Ryan O'Connor
#12 Brian Croswell
#19 Scott Evans

Knighthawk Righties
#44 Mike Accursi
15 Shawn Evans
#32 Ken Millin
#9 Blake Miller

Knighthawk Defense
#10 Mike Hasen
#17 Steve Toll
#11 Regy Thorpe
#5 Sandy Chapman
#20 Steve Penny
#25 Scott Ditzell
#7 Pat Dutton
#2 Chris Schiller
#21 Bill Greer
#43 Marshall Abrams
#4 Carter Livingstone

Knighthawks Faceoff
#23 Stephen Hoar (201 of 368, 54.6%)

Knighthawks Goalie
#39 Pat O'Toole
#52 Grant Crowley

Knighthawks General Manager
Jody Gage

Knighthawks Head Coach
Ed Comeau

Knighthawks Assistant Head Coaches
Tom Cincebox
John Munroe
Sean Ferris