Swarm Freeze Out the Mammoth, Win 12-10

This game started much slower than last night’s game, without a single goal scored until nearly the four-minute mark. After the scoring was finally opened, the Mammoth put their foot on the accelerator, and ran out to a 5-1 lead. They were scoring at will, and the night looked doomed for Swarm goaltender Nick Patterson.

After the fifth Mammoth goal, something awoke in the Swarm and they came storming back. By the end of the half, they had tied the game at six, with goals from five different scorers. The Mammoth looked lost, and frustrated. That frustration led to a scrum, the benches cleared, and a fight broke out.

When the smoke cleared, the Swarm’s Travis Hill had been ejected from the game, and three players from each side took 10-minute misconduct penalties. The trade-off worked pretty well fro the Swarm as two Mammoth starters were among those in the box, one for the full 15 minutes of the third quarter.

After the half, Nick Patterson was phenomenal. The goaltending clinic he was enough to make the Mammoth think they would never score again. In fact, he shut them down for the entire third quarter, and the Swarm killed two 5-on-3 penalty kills. It is was clear enough why Patterson will be the starting goalie in the upcoming NLL All-Star game, the 48 saves tonight should give you an idea.

I am told the Mammoth have not won a home game since 2009, and the reasons were painfully obvious watching this game. The players were clearly frustrated, and their body language showed a defeated squad.

However, after the Swarm added two goals to start the fourth, the Mammoth finally decided enough was enough. They came back hard and fast with three unanswered, and seemed to have Patterson in their sights. The Swarm would come right back and add two of their own including a fifth, yes fifth, from Ryan Benesch.

The Mammoth would pull within two, and pull their goalie for the extra attacker, but it just was not to be. The Swarm end a three-game skid, and extend the Mammoth losing streak to six.

The Swarm head back from Colorado with a 4-4 record, and looking at a long month of March without a home game until March 27th. How they fare on this long road trip will go a long way toward determining what this team has going into the playoff run.

#MNSwarm end a three game losing streak. Beat the Mammoth 12-10

The quiet game has become loud. Mammoth answer. Now 12-10. 50 seconds to play #MNSwarm

Benesch again. His FIFTH! 12-9 #MNSwarm

Mammoth seem to have figured out Patterson a bit. Score third straight. 11-9 4:54 to play

#MNSwarm on yet ANOTHER 5-3 PK. This time, Mammoth make them pay. 11-8

Swarm add a goal, Mammoth finally answer 11-7

#MNSwarm kill another 5 on 3.

Huge momentum from that. Still up 10-6. No goals from the Mammoth since the half. Patterson is huge right now.

No goal. #MNSwarm

Swarm score a shorty, down 3 on 5. Play challenged. #MNSwarm

#MNSwarm going on a 5-3 PK for the second time tonight

Killed the last one. Need to kill this one.

Watt scores for the #MNSwarm who now lead 10-6 and are cruising.

Note: Mammoth did not score a goal that entire quarter #MNSwarm

End of the third quarter. #MNSwarm up 9-6

All penalties from that scrum are now over. (Save for Hill, who was ejected.)

Benesch adds a fourth. #MNSwarm now up 9-6

#MNSwarm on the accelerator. Shewchuk goal. 8-6 Swarm

Benesch with the Hat Trick. #MNSwarm up 7-6

Penalties from scrum #MNSwarm

Swarm:
- S. Bennett, 15:00 – Fighting , 5 min
- S. Bennett, 15:00 – Misconduct , 10 min
– T. Hill, 15:00 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct , 2 min
– T. Hill, 15:00 – Misconduct , 10 min
- T. Hill, 15:00 – Game Misconduct , 10 min
- R. Smith, 15:00 – Misconduct , 10 min

Mammoth:

M. Allen, 15:00 – Fighting , 5 min
M. Allen, 15:00 – Misconduct , 10 min
B. Langtry, 15:00 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct , 2 min
B. Langtry, 15:00 – Misconduct , 10 min
C. Smith, 15:00 – Misconduct , 10 min

Travis Hill ejected with Game Misconduct from before half #MNSwarm

Big penalties assessed here

Several misconduct penalties due to the scrum at the end of the half.

Fight during the commercial break before the half. Too bad we only get a chunk of it. #MNSwarm

Half time Stats #MNSwarm

SOG

Mammoth 25
Swarm 23

Goals:
Mammoth: Grant x2, Prossner, Martin, Allen, Langtry
Swarm: Benesch x2, Ross, Watt, Morgan, Giles

Patterson 19 Saves
Lavis 17

#MNSwarm tie it back up with just 4.3 to play in the half.

Sick behind the back shot by the Mammoth. Back up 6-5 #MNSwarm

#MNSwarm give up a 5-3 PP here, big PK coming up

Tie game. #MNSwarm score. 5-5. Less than 4 to play in the half.

No goal. 5-4 still. #MNSwarm

Another challenge... this time on a Colorado goal...

New Angle - No Goal. #MNSwarm

Looks like a pipe. Swarm terrible luck with pipes.

#MNSwarm throw challenge flag. Should be a tie game here. 5-5

The comeback continues. #MNSwarm goal. Morgan scores.

3rd in a row for the Swarm

#MNSwarm Goal Now 5-3.

Swarm coming back.

#MNSwarm goal. Goal from Ross ends 4-0 run by Mammoth

Colorado scores again. 5-1 #MNSwarm

This is getting a bit ugly.

End of the first quarter, #MNSwarm down 4-1

Ha ha! Martin scores his first ever NLL Goal. Does a back flip. He's excited #MNSwarm

However, bad news for the Swarm… now down 4-1

Colorado now up 3-1 #MNSwarm

Rolling pretty good against the Swarm here. Need a momentum shifter.

Mammoth up 2-1 on Grant's second

1-1 at the first TV Time out.

Both teams look to be feeling out the situation.

Swarm Escape Snowstorm, Face Mammoth in Denver #MNSwarm

Photo credit to Bruce Kluckhohn

Thank you to our friends at In Lax We Trust for a game preview for tonight:

Both these western conference teams come off tough losses in their first game of the weekend, and look to rebound. The Mammoth struggled in Everett, losing 20-7 to the Washington Stealth. And last night the Swarm fell to the red hot Boston Blazers by the score of 14-11. The Swarm need to win to keep pace with the Stealth and Roughnecks in the west, and the Mammoth need a win just to stay in the race.

When and Where:

Sunday February 20 8:00 pm

Pepsi Center, Denver CO

Mammoth (1-6)

Colorado has really hit the skids now, with a real tough loss to Washington. Matt King got his first start of the season but that did not last long, and Chris Levis was not much better. But once again the offense could not produce up to the level of a winning team, and that’s where they have problems. Now the Mammoth look to win their first home game in two years over a Swarm team that may be tired out.

Swarm (3-4)

The Swarm could have won that game last night. Nick Patterson played terrific, and Minnesota came back down four goals twice. They can play, but were not able to hold Boston’s potent attack in the second half. Now they face a Colorado team that has not found any luck in any area, with only one win on the season. But Minnesota may be tired out after their game with the Blazers, so that’s where the Mammoth have a chance.

Game is available live online on NLL.com. Click HERE to watch.

Swarm Play Well, Fall to the Blazers 14-11

First off, let me just say: Wow. This game is fast, it is more physical than any game I have witnessed live, and the sheer intensity of the game is unrivaled. If you were following along here tonight, or on Twitter, you may have noticed that it was difficult to even keep up with the action. If you are in the Twin Cities area, and haven’t checked out a Swarm game, quit stalling and do it. I was a bit skeptical as well, but it won me over, and I don’t like anything that isn’t hockey.

Seriously. Do yourself a favor and check this team out. Class act organization with an amazing product.

On to the game.

The scoring was fast and furious in the first half, as the Swarm and Blazers traded goals, getting scoring from eight different players each. The Swarm had two power play goals from Mat Giles and Anthony Wilson, and added two shorthanded markers as well.

The shorthanded effort by Andrew Watt alone was the stuff of legends. Drive down the length of the field, get the breakaway, and drill it home. The fans loved it, and the Swarm needed it. Down 7-5 at the time, it capped a 3 unanswered goal run by the Swarm, and pulled them within one.

The teams would trade a goal, then Boston pulled ahead 9-6. Undaunted, the Swarm came back with two goals from Anthony Wilson to tie the game at the half. The 9 to 9 score set the bar for highest scoring first half this season.

The second half showed that lacrosse is not only a game of run and gun, shoot ’em up reckless abandon. Some solid defense by both sides, and some amazing goaltending from Nick Patterson of the Swarm, whom Swarm Coach Mike Lines said “played well.” Lines went on to say Patterson has “kept us in games all year,” noting that the goaltender faced a few screen shots, and the goals he let in were not as soft as they may have looked.

Boston’s Anthony Cosmo also played a phenomenal game, shutting down the Swarm power play at point blank range in big situations, and saving 27 of 38 shots on the night.

That is not to say there wasn’t scoring in the second half. There most certainly was. However, it took five minutes into the third and seven minutes into the fourth before the scoring was opened in those frames. The total scoring from the second half was 5-2, a major drop from the crazy first half.

The Swarm were cursed by the lacrosse gods tonight, as they rang at least six shots off of the post or the cross bar. Lines noted, “Some bad luck with posts and cross bars, but it’s part of the game.” He added “Couple of those go in, it’s a different game.”

He did take a few moral victories with him, saying “I think we did a few things a lot better than we did the past couple of games. Faceoffs, power play was back over .500, which was nice.”

The Swarm were set to fly out to Colorado in the morning, but with snow expected in Minnesota, when they get out of the airport, if at all, is anyone’s guess. The Swarm next play at home on March 27th.

I expect you all to be there.

Crawford PP goal.

Swarm within 2. 3:30 to play.

Boston adds another. 13-10. 7 to play

3rd quarter ends, Swarm down 2, 12-10

Boston adds 2. 12-10

Tied up again.

Shewchuk with his 2nd.

Boston goal. 10-9

Swarm on PP though.

Second half underway.

Half time thoughts #MNSwarm

I honestly did not know what to expect when leaving for this game. After watching one half, I am not sure how more fans are not out here supporting this team.

Hard working game, fast paced, tons of scoring, and the physicality of it is unmatched in anything short of rugby. The sticks are constantly whacking the opposition, the body checks are fierce, and they most definitely get in each other’s faces.

If you like hockey, you would love this sport. Kid friendly environment, music playing the whole time, fans into the game, PA guy leading the cheering, mascot dancing on the seats. Oh, and a dance team.

If you haven’t checked out a Swarm game, I defy you to give me a reason why. This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. You really should come down and check it out.

We’ll talk more after the game.

Half time. Tied at 9.

Blazers have held last 3 opponents to single digit scores. Not tonight, I am guessing.

Swarm within one again. 9-8

PP goal, Wilson.

Boston goal. 9-7

Swarm goal. 8-7. Shewchuck.

Followed immediately by a Boston goal. 9-7.

This game moves fast.

Now 8-6 after Boston PP goal, and Swarm shorty.

Another for the home team. 7-5.

Swarm goal. Eric Pacey 7-4 Blazers.

Boston adds two more in short order. Up 7-3.

Boston up 5-3

Swarm need a goal here. Momentum shift

Boston opens 2nd quarter, scoring up 4-3.

Swarm tie it wil 2.7 to play in the 1st.

Swarm PP Goal. 3-2 Boston

Boston goal. Under review.

Boston up 2-1, by the way.

This game moves fast, folks. Hard, physical. Get out here and support this team. Great action.

Crawford ties the game at 1. 9:46 remaining in the 1st.

Blazers up 1-0

Very, very early

Shot clocks not working. Delay to start the game.

Likely my fault. I apologize.

Scratch update

Cosmo is NOT a scratch for Blazers, Orsen IS a scratch for the Blazers. Cosmo likely starter in net fro Blazers.

Scratches

This are a bit confusing, because players listed as scratches are out on the floor. Bear with us, we’ll get the story straight.

As listed:

Scratches for #MNSwarm: Nich Inch, Matt Kelly, Zack Greer For Boston: Ryan Powell, Matt Abbott, and Anthony Cosmo.

Starting Lineups

Starting line up for the Swarm tonight: Joe Cinosky, Andrew Suitor, Andrew Watt, Rory Smith, Travis hill, and in goal, Nick Patterson. #mnswarm

For the Boston Blazers: Kyle Rubich, Greg Drowning, Ryan Hotaling, Mitch Belise, and in goal Nick Rose.

Mr. Reynolds Goes to Saint Paul: An Adventure in Minnesota Swarm Lacrosse

In an effort to bring you coverage of everything Minnesota sports, tonight, SBNation Minnesota will cover its first ever live Swarm game. Bear with us as we adjust to covering a new game, and make sure you head down to the X to catch this team. The most fun you can have with your boots on.

The Swarm match up against the Boston Blazers tonight, in the first of back-to-back games that will see them take off for Colorado after the game. Having just returned from a two game East Coast swing, the Swarm get this one home game, then head back out on the road until March 27.

Boston brings with them the Casey Powell (24G, 25A), Dan Dawson (13G, 35A), and Josh Sanderson (11G, 22A), the top scoring line in the NLL. In relation the Swarm's top scorers are Ryan Benesch (20G, 18A) and Callum Crawford (10G, 17A). Powell is the reigning league MVP, and the current league leader in goals and points.

The Swarm have never beat Boston in team history (0-2), and have not done well against Eastern Conference opponents this season (0-3).

Swarm coach said "They have three or four of the best players in the game," Lines said. "We have to pay closer attention to them than we normally would. Coming from the Eastern Division, they are a rough and physical team. To beat them, we have to be very physical with them."

Those words should be sweet music to hockey fans making the switch to lacrosse, as "we have to be very physical with them" should translate to plenty of fights and angry play.

The game should also be as much of a goaltending duel as there can be in a lacrosse game. According to a Swarm press relase:

"Saturday's matchup features two of the league's premier goaltenders. Swarm G Nick Patterson, who will also start in this year's All-Star game, is off to a 3-2 start and ranks fourth in the NLL with a .796 SV%. On the other side, G Anthony Cosmo will suit up for Boston after winning Week 6 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the Blazers 11-6 win against Colorado."

The game is also taking place on "green day" as the Swarm have purchased enough wind generated power to offset the entire night's electricity usage, and $1 of each ticket purchased will go toward green initiatives of the team.

Anyone who wants to make the leap into lacrosse, stop on by and say hi in the comments. I'll be publishing updates throughout the game both here, and on Twitter.

Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center box office, or online.

Minnesota Swarm Return Home To Host Boston Blazers

Thanks to Marisa Ingemi from In Lax We Trust for allowing us to use her preview for tonight's game. We'll have a recap of the action here after the game.

The Boston Blazers hit the road again after two straight home victories over Colorado and Toronto, traveling to Minnesota to play the Swarm. The Swarm lost to the Rochester Knighthawks last week, and also play tomorrow vs the Colorado Mammoth. The Blazers have a tough task on hand playing Nick Patterson, the western conference starting goalie. But their offense seems to have finally clicked, and their defense has played surprisingly well without John Orsen.

When and Where:

Saturday, February 19  7:30 pm

XCel Energy Center, St.Paul, MN

Blazers (5-3)

Boston has really found a good rhythm, with the big three finally clicking along with Kevin Buchanan and Nick Cotter. The defense has not missed a beat since losing Orsen, with Damon Edwards and Ryan Dilks stepping up. Kyle Rubisch is also emerging as one of the best defenders in the game. But it's the offense to watch vs the Swarm's defense, and Josh Sanderson has broke out finally, which is huge for this Blazers team. If their offense can stay on track with the defense, they can go far.

Swarm (3-3)

The Swarm are in pretty good shape themselves, as one of the best teams in the west. Led by Ryan Benesch and Nick Patterson, they can go far in a weaker western conference. But Boston is no easy team, led by Anthony Cosmo and the big three. With their offense, they might be able to get some by Cosmo, but it is tough to stop this Boston team from scoring.