Game Preview: Rock @ Swarm

Rock @ Swarm
Sunday, March 16th, 2014
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

Toronto Rock:

The Rock will travel to Minnesota for the first time this season. The two teams met at the Air Canada Centre on February 22^nd and the Rock won 14-12.

Toronto will try to rebound from a 17-12 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks last night at home. Garrett Billings led the way offensively with 3G-3A-6PTS. Stephan Leblanc and Josh Sanderson each had 5 points in the loss for the Rock. Toronto was ahead 9-5 heading into the half, but Rochester went on a 7-goal run to start the second half. Nick Rose was chased from the Rock net and newcomer Steve Fryer saw his first action between the pipes for the Rock allowing 2 goals on 8 shots.

The loss dropped Toronto’s record to 4-7 on the season and they sit in 3^rd place in the East Division just ahead of the Philadelphia Wings and tonight’s opponent, the Minnesota Swarm.

Rock Fact: Captain Colin Doyle scored his 500^th career goal earlier this season. It was in dramatic fashion, beating the buzzer to end the first half. On February 22^nd.

Minnesota Swarm:

The Swarm currently hold down 5^th spot in the NLL’s East Division with a record of 2-7.  Both of their wins have come against the Philadelphia Wings. In their last game against the Buffalo Bandits the Swarm  held a 9-8 lead into the 4^th quarter, before surrendering 4 straight goals in the final frame and fell 12-9 to the East Division leaders.

Logan Schuss had a goal and 5 assists in the Swarm’s last meeting with the Rock on February 22^nd.  Jordan MacIntosh had 5 goals in the 14-12 loss.

Offense:

Callum Crawford (14G-31A-45PTS) and Jordan MacIntosh (17-21A-38PTS) are leading the way offensively. 2013 first overall pick Logan Schuss is quietly having a strong rookie campaign with 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points on the season.

Defence:

Veteran Jeff Gilbert remains an anchor on the back end for the Swarm while youngsters Jason Noble and Cameron Flint continue to improve game by game. Captain Andrew Suitor is a key transition player for the Swarm.

Between The Pipes:

Tyler Carlson was named the starter out of training camp, but has split time with Zach Higgins as the team has struggled. Carlson has a GAA of 11.94 while Higgins sits at 12.45 through 10 games this season.