Minnesota Swarm (0-1 H 0-1 A 0-0)

Washington Stealth (1-1 H 0-1 A 1-0)

Saturday, January 14, 2011 - 10:00 pm CST
Comcast Arena
Everett, Washington

Live Statistics

TV/Internet/Radio Coverage:

More Coverage of this game at:

Standings:

Series History:

Last year, the two teams each won at home during the regular season. Washington won 12-9 at home on February 5. The following week at The Hive, the Swarm won 16-12. They met in Washington in the first round of the playoffs last year, with the Stealth advancing 14-10. Kevin Croswell's only start last year was in the home win over the Stealth and he also relieved Nick Patterson in the playoff game.

Personnel:

Minnesota Swarm

Depth Chart

Goaltenders	Defense (Left)	Defense (Right)
Transition (Left)	Transition (Right)	Forwards (Left)	Forwards (Right)

Staff

General Manager	Head Coach	Assistant	Assistant

Washington Stealth

Depth Chart

Staff

Last week, your and mine favorite local professional indoor lacrosse team, the Minnesota Swarm, were befuddled at home with yet another overtime loss, 11-10, to the Rochester Knighthawks to open the 2011 season. The overtime losses at home just keep on rolling over from last year where they had four of them at home, including the last two home games. Now it continued into this season and the ansswers to change them seem even more out of reach. Can't worry about that now as they have now lost eight straight and are headed on the road to face the defending NLL champions, the Washington Stealth, on Friday night.

The Swarm offense struggled to get started last weekend and if not for Andrew Watt's huge game and some opportune power play chances, it may have been a bit more unseemly. Aaron Wilson did not have a strong game to start and Tim Campeau admitted that he missed a couple chances to bury shots he normaily should have. With the game day rosters expanding to twenty this season, the Swarm dressed eight forwards compared to seven last year, so somebody like Wilson got a few less touches than normal. So each shift will have five forwards in and three out, so there may be a less of chance to get in a groove if one is only out on the floor for every other possession. That probably is a bit of weak excuse for what may have happpened last weekend, especially as the other temas face the similar issue, but there may be a kernel of truth there.

Look for Richard Morgan to get time up front this weekend as the Swarm move him from defense. Morgan's big body should free up some space for a player like Zack Greer, who may be worthy of getting a few more chances to shoot. If indeed Morgan plays, look for Campeau or Kevin Ross to sit. Then again, maybe Swarm Head Coach Mike Lines keeps the offense the same from last week to grow chemistry. A tough decision but I think Lines will lean towards Morgan playing especially with his brother Peter on Stealth. Basing playing time on whether you have a relative on the opposing team shouldn't trump playing somebody else better but both maybe equal this weekend.

Who to start in net this weekend? Nick Patterson only saved 71% of shots last weekend which puts him last for goaltenders who played at least 60 minutes last weekend in the league. Nevertheless, he is the team's number one and pulling him for this game may be a bit of a blow. However, last year against the Stealth in three games, Patterson gave up 19 goals on 55 shots, saving 65%. Not stellar. Kevin Croswell, meantime, started his only game against the Stealth last year (a win) and relieved Patterson in the playoff game and saved 55 of 74 shots or 75%. Maybe, Kevin has a better feel for the Stealth shooters than Nick but who knows how much that last year's results will play into Lines' decision on who to start on Friday.

The defending champs, the Stealth, played two games to open the season last weekend. They won in overtime in Colorado last Saturday, but on the night they raised their championship banners, they lost by two to Calgary. I am sure the Stealth will want to put on a better performance at home for their fans, so expcet a fierce battle.

The Swarm will have to contend with Rhys Duch who scored six goals against them in last year's playoff game. He, along with Lewis Ratcliff, already have five goals and six assists in two games this season. The Swarm may catch a break as the Stealth's third big gunner, Jeff Zywicki, just was put on injured reserve this week. Zywicki scored five in last year's playoff game. The Stealth signed former Swarm Craig Conn to replace Zywicki at this time.

The Stealth rotated goaltenders Tyler Richards and Matt Roik throughout the entire season and continued that in the playoffs. However, Roik started both games last weekend and was not replaced in either. Is Richards hurt or has Stealth Head Caoch Chirs Hall decided to go with Roik as the clear number one? That seems to be unsettled at least publicly.

Both teams had their stuggles last weekend and both need to win to keep pace with 2-0 Calgary. Even though we may not see quite as many fights as last Saturday, still look for Rory Smith (newly signed to a three year contract) and Andrew Suitor to continue their physical ways against players like Matt Beers and Mike Grimes. The Swarm defense will need to take advantage of the loss of Zywicki and limit the damage that Ratcliff and Duch will try to create. I am sure it will come down to the end and that has not been a good thing for the Swarm in recent times. I think the Swarm will need to be up going into the fourth and hold off a late Stealth rally to win which I think Patterson or Croswell if they go that way can do.

Prediction: Minnesota Swarm 12 Washington Stealth 11

Next Games After This Match Up

• Minnesota vs Edmonton - Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 7:30 pm Central
• Washington at Calgary - Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 8:30 pm Central