Tonight the Minnesota Swarm (3-6) will face-off against the Calgary Roughnecks(5-5). Both teams have lost 3 of there last 4 games. Calgary’s last win was against the Swarm in Minnesota 17-16 as they barely escaped The Hive that night. Since then the Roughnecks have been roughed up by falling to the Stealth 16-14 and last week being dominated by the Edmonton Rush at home 18-13. Geoff Snider returns tonight from his one game suspension. This will obviously add a spark to the Calgary team as they are 1-4 at home, very uncharacteristic of the Roughnecks. Look for the offense to come out strong and put pressure on the young Swarm team. This game is very big for Calgary as they do not want to drop below 500 with two of there next three games are against the Washington Stealth.
For the Swarm they are 3-6, and a dismal 1-4 on the road. Since there 13-8 win over Edmonton (Andrew Suitor injured in game ACL/MCL tear) the Swarm have not scored double digits. Swarm must start putting a run of some type together as after tonight they have six games left. . Veterans Ryan Benesch, Callum Crawford, and the rookies led by Kiel Matisz and Shayne Jackson look to make a second half push to the 2013 playoffs.
Three game home-stand starting March 16/Stealth, March 29/Wings, and April 6/Bandits, April 7/@Wings. Their final two games will be against the Mammoth, this I believe will decide the final playoff spot
Keys to the game:
Calgary:
Start quick, Snider back on the draws, extra possessions.
Keep your cool…too many stupid penalties of late
Let Poulin see the shots, Let the Swarm take outside shots, don’t let them penetrate
Swarm:
Goaltending must be strong.
Try to Contain the Roughnecks offense, slow game down
Face-offs… try to get under Snider’s skin, throw him off his game, watch his quick rush.
Block out the crowd, don’t get baited into penalties.
EVERYONE needs to give 120%
