SB Nation Minnesota - NLL Lacrosse: Minnesota Swarm Lose Big to Washington Stealth 20-13https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2012-03-25T21:33:52-05:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26665042012-03-25T21:33:52-05:002012-03-25T21:33:52-05:00NLL Lacrosse: Minnesota Swarm Crushed by Washington Stealth
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<p>In the preview of this game, we mentioned that the Swarm needed to do three things: keep Rhys Duch in check, shore up the defense, and get the transition game under control. After dropping tonight’s game 20-13, it is safe to say, the Swarm did not do any of those things.</p>
<p>The Swarm have established a new pattern, and it is a troubling one. Giving up a handful of early goals before the get started, and then not being able to dig their way out of the hole. Tonight was no different. The Swarm fell behind 5-1 in the first, before kicking it into gear in the second.</p>
<p>By that point, the Stealth had already built enough of a lead to weather the storm, and the Swarm just could not find a way to solve Tyler Richards. In the end, both sides put 62 shots on goal, but the Stealth found ways through Evan Kirk and Tyler Carlson, while Richards stood tall and kept the Swarm at bay.</p>
<p>Duch had a ten point night with four goals and six assists, giving the Swarm defense fits. He was given too much space, and made the Swarm pay for it. Even when they slowed him down, he drew enough attention to open up other threats from the Stealth, and gave them the chances, even if they weren’t his.</p>
<p>On the opposite side of the coin, the Swarm’s leading scorer was Jay Card, with just four points. Ryan Benesch was held to just one goal and two assists, Callum Crawford the same totals.</p>
<p>In the end, the game turned into a run and gun shootout, with both sides trading goals in transition. This wound up with a 6-5 edge in scoring in the fourth quarter for the Swarm, but it was too little too late. The Swarm drop to 5-5, and the Stealth improve to 4-8.</p>
<p>The Swarm have some big questions to answer. The offense hasn’t clicked in two games, the defense is being picked apart, and the transition game is costing them games early and late. Coach Joe Sullivan needs to find a way to get the team jump started. Perhaps their return to St. Paul will provide that jump.</p>
<p>The Swarm are back in action Friday night at home at Saturday in Edmonton.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/3/25/2902502/nll-lacrosse-minnesota-swarm-crushed-by-washington-stealthBryan Reynolds2012-03-25T12:55:57-05:002012-03-25T12:55:57-05:00NLL Lacrosse: Minnesota Swarm End Month Long Road Trip Against Washington Stealth
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<figcaption>The Swarm are back at it, finishing up a long road trip out West. </figcaption>
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<p>The Swarm are set to finish up their long road trip tonight against a changed Stealth squad.</p> <p>The Minnesota Swarm finish up a long road trip as the face the Washington Stealth for the second time this season. The last time these teams met, the Swarm crushed the Stealth 15-7, leaving the Stealth with a bad taste in their mouths. Since that meeting, the Swarm have been good, but inconsistent, while the Stealth have been consistently bad. </p>
<p>Although, that game was missing Rhys Duch, an elite NLL scorer. What does that mean for tonight? It means the Swarm have another player to account for, and it just so happens that extra player is one of the biggest scoring threats in the league. Adding another dimension of scoring is always helpful, but adding a sniper is on a whole different level. If the Swarm do not take him seriously, they'll lose this one big. </p>
<p>Of course, the Swarm have plenty of scoring of their own, even after trading Jamie Shewchuk at the deadline for a third round pick. Ryan Benesch sits three goals from the 100 mark for his career and Callum Crawford is just one point behind Benesh. Factor in Kevin Ross and rookie Jordan MacIntosh adding 29 points each, and the Swarm have plenty of scoring to go around. </p>
<p>The Swarm defense was a bit soft against the Buffalo Bandits last week, and you can bet that Andrew Suitor is going to be fired up after being held without a point and racking up 24 PIMs. The D will be tasked with shutting down Duchs, who sits just two points behind Stealth team leader Lewis Ratcliff despite playing in two fewer games. If the Swarm defense can find a way to contain those two players, and shore up the transition game a bit, this game should be in hand. </p>
<p>It never seems to be that easy in the NLL, however, and whichever goaltender gets the start, Tyler Carlson or Evan Kirk, they will have their work cut out for them. Both goalies have been outstanding this season, and will need to be again tonight. The Swarm do not want to fall to .500 on the season, and a win would be a great way to lead into a return home this Friday. </p>
<p>The game can be seen on the NLL Network at 7PM. </p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/swarm/2012/3/25/2901497/nll-lacrosse-minnesota-swarm-end-month-long-road-trip-againstBryan Reynolds