Eric Walsh | MNSWARM.COM
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Philadelphia Wings literally threw everything they could at the Minnesota Swarm net on Friday night in a National Lacrosse League (NLL) contest of East Division leaders. Swarm goalies faced a franchise-record 77 shots in a 17-8 setback at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
The Swarm was handed its second straight loss and now holds down an overall record of 6-2 (3-2 on the road, 4-2 against the East Division) while Philadelphia remained undefeated at 5-0 (4-0 at home, 4-0 vs. the East Division). It also marked the first regular-season victory for Philadelphia over the Swarm since Jan. 6, 2006 (Minnesota had won the last four meetings between the teams).
Minnesota starting netminder Nick Patterson blocked 54 of 69 shots in 54:10 before giving way to Kevin Croswell who closed the match allowing two Wings’ goals on eight shots. The 77 shots against were nine more than the previous club mark set on March 11, 2005 in a 23-17 win by the Buffalo Bandits at Xcel Energy Center.
Trailing 7-6 after three quarters, the Wings exploded for 11 goals in the fourth quarter to widen the gap. The Swarm’s lead vanished for good when F Jake Bergey tallied the Wings second goal in a span of 20 seconds with 14:30 left in regulation. The Swarm won just 7-of-29 (.241) face-offs and posted 40 shots. Philadelphia G Rob Blasdell limited Minnesota to its lowest offensive output in 13 regular-season outings dating back to a 13-6 road loss to the Toronto Rock on March 23, 2007.
Rookie F Craig Point scored his four points -- three goals (two PPG) and one assist -- in the first half to pace all Minnesota scorers. Point has notched 39 points (17-22=39) on the season but was held pointless in the second half for the second consecutive contest. The Swarm led 5-3 at halftime (3-0 after the first quarter). Swarm leading goal scorer F Ryan Ward recorded three points (1-2=3). He now has 19 goals this season, which is four shy of his 2007 career high. Ward was acquired from Philadelphia in a trade on Feb. 8, 2005.
Minnesota is idle for the next two weeks and will return to action on March 8 against the Buffalo Bandits at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. Game time is set for 6:30 PM (CT). Last Saturday, the Bandits upended the visiting Swarm 16-14. Minnesota hosts Philadelphia in Saint Paul on April 12.
