Last night the Minnesota Swarm took on the Calgary Roughnecks. The Roughnecks came into the game 5-3 and leading the West by a game over the Washington Stealth. The Swarm came into the game at 2-4 and in last place in the West.
The Roughnecks got the game started a little under 2 minutes into the game with a Dane Dobbie goal. The Swarm responded quickly by getting a power play goal by Shayne Jackson. Only 5 minutes into the game we had 2 goals, both 1st half challenges and one of the best fights ever between Andrew Suitor and Geoff Snider.
Although Suitor won the fight it did not have the effect that he had hoped for. The Roughnecks went on an 8-4 run to put themselves ahead at the half 9-5. During that stretch the Roughnecks were lead by Scott Ranger (6g, 2a) who had 5 goals, and Shawn Evans (2g, 9a) who had 7 of his 9 assists in the first half.
The Swarm started the game out slow in transition and goaltending that was uninspired. Evan Kirk got the start last night and allowed 8 goals in just 20 minutes of play. Kirk was pulled in the waning moments of the 2nd quarter. Tyler Carlson came on in relief of Kirk. Carlson was a big part of the Swarm’s comeback in the 2nd half. He allowed 9 goals on 34 shots on goal and had a save percentage of 73.5 %. With the start of the 3rd quarter the Swarm rebounded and took charge of the game. The Swarm scored 11 goals in the 2nd half in their attempted comeback. They were lead by Ryan Benesch who had 3 goals and 3 assists. The swarm were also lead by David Earl (3g, 2a), and Kiel Matisz (2g, 4a).
During the Swarm’s streak in the 2nd half, the Roughneck’s Geoff Snider was ejected from the game. Snider, who had been dominant at the X with 81%, got his second major penalty of the game just 2 minutes into the 4th. He was called for a vicious elbow he threw. Obviously incensed by the call, Snider got sent to the locker room for the second time last night, the first occurred after the beating he took at the hands of Andrew Suitor.
The Roughnecks will look to the Washington Stealth who are hot on their heels in the West. The game will be on Feb. 23rd at 10pm EST in Washington. While the Roughnecks take on the Stealth the Swarm will take on the Edmonton Rush. This game will be in St. Paul at 3pm EST.
