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

New England Black Wolves (2-0 H 2-0 A 0-0)

Saturday, January 24, 2015 - 6:00 pm CST
Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, Connecticut

Last Update: January 23, 2015 11:45 pm Central

Live Statistics

TV/Internet/Radio Coverage:

More Coverage of this game at:

Series History:

The Black Wolves moved from Philadelphia this summer after 28 seasons of Wings lacrosse as the Mohegan Tribe bought 50% of the team. Last year when the Swarm and Wings met, the Swarm won two of three games. Each team's wins last sesaon came on the road in the series. Zach Higgins made his NLL debut in relief early of Tyler Carlson in the first game with the Swarm winning 11-10. The Wings beat the Swarm in last year's Swarm home opener 15-8. The Swarm won the series with a 15-14 win in Philadelphia in February with Scott Jones' game winner. Both of Higgins' wins last year (2-7) came against the Wings.

This is the first of four between the teams this season with both teams hosting twice. The second game of the series comes March 14th at Ho-Chunk Nation Field at The Hive.

Last weekend:

The Swarm last played on January 10th in Edmonton as they came back from a 9-3 third quarter defecit to win their first game of the season, 14-10, over the Rush. Higgins made his 2015 debut in relief of Brodie MacDonald in the third quarter and made 15 of 16 saves. Callum Crawford led the Swarm with three goals and five assists and Miles Thompson had his second hat trick in his two-game NLL career which included a SportsCenter Top Ten highlight game-winning goal.

The Black Wolves, also last played on January 10th, winning 17-7 over the three-time defending champions, the Rochester Knighthawks at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Kevin Crowley led the Black Wolves with six goals and four assists while former Swarm Evan Kirk saved 34 of 41 shots. The Black Wolves started the season with three straight at home with the third coming up this Saturday against the Swarm. The Black Wolves in their history have never lost a game albeit they have only had two games as a franchise. Both wins have come at their home arena.

Notes:

• This will be the first of five straight division games for the Swarm and the first division game of the year after opening against two West Division teams. New England already is 2-0 in the division.
• This is the second game of the Swarm's three game road trip which will also include a trip to Buffalo on January 30th before returning home to host Rochester on February 6th.
• Many Swarm fans may say that Higgins deserves a start this weekend against the Black Wolves and I would agree but don't be surprised if MacDonald starts. The team really wants MacDonald to be the guy that is why they traded for him and he won't regain his footing without playing.
• The win over the Rush may have saved the season because their play for the first two quarters and change was not too inspiring and if it had continued for the rest of game, then one wonders how much confidence would have been lost from the amount gained during camp. The goal now is to be consistently good throughout the game and avoid the long stretches of mediocrity which has been sprinkled in between stretches of inspiring and exhiliarting play.
• We shall find out later this week whether Shane MacDonald will be healthy enough to be reactivated after being placed on the PUP list due to illness causing him to miss the game against the Rush. With Logan Schuss back, adding MacDonald would mean four lefties on offense on the active roster with probably only three dressing. Adding MacDonald would also mean that someone would have to be moved off the active roster.
• Jordan MacIntosh is fourth in the NLL with 24 loose balls. MacIntosh has 173 points and needs seven to pass Kevin Ross for seventh all-time in team history. He also needs four goals and four assists to pass Ross for seventh all-time in goals (77) and in assists (102).
• With three more goals, Shayne Jackson will have fifty in his NLL and Swarm career.
• Andrew Suitor is fourth in the NLL with six forced turnovers. Suitor needs three loose balls to pass Jon Sullivan (385) for third all-time in team history.
• David Earl will be playing in front of his home state as he lives in Stamford, CT which is 90 miles from the Mohegan Sun. Earl is having another solid season in now his fourth season in the NLL all with the Swarm. One wonders, how much the Black Wolves have talked to the Swarm about acquiring Earl, who I am certain is quite well known amongst Connecticut lacrosse enthusiasts.
• Former Swarm with the Black Wolves: Kirk and Kevin Buchanan
• Kirk leads the NLL with a 7.50 GAA & .848 save %
• Crowley is fifth in the NLL in assists with nine. He has had at least 70 points in each of his first three NLL seasons and is on pace for that again this year
• Joel White is third in the NLL with 25 loose balls
• Mike McNamara of the Black Wolves will be serving an one-game suspension due to leaving the bench to assist in an alteraction on January 10th.

Prediction: Minnesota Swarm 16 New England Black Wolves 12

I see the Black Wolves finally suffering disappointment this weekend as the Swarm put together a consistent effort throughout in a high-scoring game.

Faceoffs:

Personnel:

Minnesota Swarm

Runners

Goaltending

Staff

Depth Chart

New England Black Wolves

Runners

Goaltending

Staff

Depth Chart

Next Games After This Match Up

• Minnesota at Buffalo - Friday, January 30th, 2015 6:30 pm Central
• New England at Edmonton - Friday, January 30th, 2015 8:30 pm Central