GAME PREVIEW: Rock vs. Swarm

Toronto Rock Will be looking to exact revenge on a Minnesota team that ousted them from last year’s playoffs.

Toronto Rock:

The Rock welcome the Minnesota Swarm to Air Canada Centre for the first and only time this season. The two teams will play two more times this season, both in Minnesota.  It was the Swarm who eliminated the Rock from the Playoffs last spring in convincing fashion and the Rock will be looking to exact a measure of revenge.

Toronto will try to rebound from a tough 17-9 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks last Saturday night at here at home. Colin Doyle led the way offensively with 4G-1A-5PTS. Stephan Leblanc had 5 points picking up 2 goals and 3 assists and Garrett Billings also had 5-points with a goal and 4 assists in the loss for the Rock. Rochester went on an 11-goal run that began in the second quarter and ended in the third quarter spanning just over 15 minutes of game time. Nick Rose was chased from the Rock net after Rochester’s 14th goal of the game and Zak Boychuk saw his first action between the pipes in 2014.

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

Rock Fact: 

Rock Captain Colin Doyle needs 2 goals for his 500^th in the National Lacrosse League. He also needs 3 assists for his 800^th and 5 points for his 1300^th.

Minnesota Swarm:

The Swarm currently hold down 5^th spot in the NLL’s East Division with a record of 1-6. Minnesota has fought to score goals and have only tallied 65, which is currently a league worst this season and contributing factor to their early struggles.

The Swarm are coming off a loss to the league’s hottest team, falling last week to the Edmonton Rush by a score of 14-9. One positive for the Swarm was their powerplay, which was 4-for-6 on the evening.

Offense:

Callum Crawford (12G-19A-31PTS) and Jordan MacIntosh (11G-15A-26PTS) are leading the way offensively. 2013 first overall pick Logan Schuss is quietly having a strong rookie campaign with 10 goals and 8 assists 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.

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 11.65 while Higgins sits at 12.13 and was in net for the team’s only victory through 7 games this season.

Who To Watch:

Crawford is coming off a season high 8 point performance against the Rush, which saw him net 2G-6A. Jordan MacIntosh had 6 points against Calgary on February 8^th and picked up 3G-1A against Edmonton. Mike Hobbins makes his return to Toronto after being released by the Rock in training camp.