The beginning of this one didn’t look like your typical NLL game, with a score of 1-1 going long in the first quarter. However, the offenses would not stay asleep long, and both teams would score some monumental goals.
Once things got going, the teams were flying, both goaltenders came up with some big saves, and Nick Patterson had the Edmonton announcer yelling “HUGE SAVE BY PATTERSON!” on multiple occasions.
The end of the first half had the Swarm flying high, scoring goals, and going into the half tied up after being down 6-3 at one point. However, coming out for the second half, the Swarm did not register a shot on goal until Callum Crawford scored at the 9:38 mark.
Anytime the Swarm looked out, however, they would fight back. After falling behind by three goals twice, led by Ryan Benesch and Crawford, the Swarm would not go away. One goal by Crawford, in the third quarter was nothing short of filthy. Diving across the crease, Crawford pulled the ball behind his head and put it past Disher.
Benesch potted his 30th goal of the year, putting him in the NLL lead, had four total goals, and added four assists. Mat Giles added three goals and three assists, and Crawford had three goals and two assists.
Still, it just wasn’t enough as the Swarm and Rush traded goals back and forth right up until the final buzzer, with former Swarm member Zach Greer putting home the winner with just 3.5 seconds to play.
The loss delays the Swarm’s clinching of the playoffs, but that could come as soon as Sunday on national TV at 1PM back home at the Xcel Energy Center. We’ll see you there for the matinee against the Buffalo Bandits.