Minnesota Swarm (3-11 H 1-6 A 2-5)
	Colorado Mammoth (8-5 H 5-2 A 3-3)

The Swarm Have the Gait Closed on Them

Friday, April 1, 2005
St. Paul, Minnesota
Attendance: 10,054

The defense was okay maybe a bit better than usual this year. The offense started quick as usual in the 1st, but slowly sunk into the quagmire which is the last 3 periods of the game.

I would agree that Disher gave a good performance. Before two of the goals were scored, Disher went to the bench for the extra attacker; however, Colorado quickly turned over the Swarm and each time beat a streaking Disher, not a great visual, to the goal to score. Also, by the time I blinked early in the 2nd, the Mammoth scored 3 goals to take the lead.

New Swarm player Tony Henderson is a big guy, no doubt. Had a little trouble adjusting, but he will come around and contribute well. I know that he is definitely a welcome addition to the team.

Again, the Swarm kept penalties to a minimum and the fighting was practically negligible. However, Riley Kemp did throw his gloves off to start a fight against, Brian Langtry, I believe that was the Mammoth player, correct me if incorrect, but Langtry walked away in fear of the imposing Riley Kemp.

The Swarm power play did well again, but we just didn't create enough scoring chances to keep up with the Mammoth, whom after the start of 2nd always responded when the Swarm chipped away at them. I am not sure why the Mammoth doesn't have a better record with their talent, which is abundant, but you could see improvement from the Swarm from the time we played the Mammoth in December to now.

Paul Gait sure must have been hurting when he originally retired, because if you didn't know he had been gone for a couple years, you would think he had been playing during that time. A little rusty to start, which the Swarm took advantage of early, but the Roughnecks and Sting better watch out. Both Paul and Gary were introduced separately under the spotlight after the rest of Mammoth came onto the field. As Travis Hill said today at the Season Ticket Holder party, I am paraphrasing since I always forget quotes, it was unexpected to see them together playing again, but it was quite a highlight to play against them. I would agree with Travis that it was great to see lacrosse greatness together again.

The crowd, as with everything in Minnesota, came in at the last minute. Most of the lower bowl was filled and a good amount of the middle level also was filled. Of course, after the Swarm Performance Team passed out free t-shirts and we were behind by four, the crowd did begin to file out a bit. However, a solid core was still representing at game end. Hope to see the same numbers and more for the game against Philadelphia on April 15th, for Fan Appreciation Night sponsored by "KARE 11", yes "KARE 11, the Minnesota Lacrosse Leader", yeah right. Also KARE 11 will be giving away a free team poster to the first 10,000. Hopefully that team doesn't consist of infomercial luminaries like Chuck Woolery, Ameriquest and has-been celebrities doing pilates.

Once again Swarm fans, unite on April 15th at 7:30 pm, to spay and neuter the Philadelphia Wings. We can hope that a Swarm win that night eliminates the Wings from playoff contention.

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