Bzzzz!

The Minnesota Swarm lacrosse team played their 2008 Home Opener last Saturday night. It was a lovely way for fans to see their first game of the season, with an 11-4 win over the Toronto Rock--which is not actually a rock, but rather a rival lacrosse team. The previous night the team played in Toronto--and flew on the same plane to Minnesota, which must have been interesting. Friday night’s game was apparently a 17-16 overtime win for the Swarm. Nice, really.

There was a little bit of concern going to the game. The Swarm no longer have last year’s favorite players of Becky, Dawn and me (Stewart, Boyle and Kilby are no longer with the Swarm). Sullivan almost wears tall socks, so he will be watched by Dawn and I. There were a few other scrappy players attracting our attention, as well. The next home game isn’t until mid-February, so you’ll have to wait for then for an update on the situation.

The game started out strongly. A lacrosse rule is that a player cannot be in the crease area around the goal when a goal is scored--err, if he’s on the scoring team. I’d imagine the defenseman could be there, and, of course, the goalie can be there. Andy Secore managed to get around that rule by scoring as he jumped over the crease and stuffed the ball into the net for the Swarm’s second goal.

The most memorable moment of the game, however, was when the officials took Swarm goaltender Nick Patterson out of the arena to give him some privacy while he undressed. The Rock decided that since Patterson was stopping nearly everything, and their two goaltenders were stopping significantly less (the Rock pulled their first goaltender mid-game. Obviously, the second one didn’t do much better), that Patterson was cheating using pads that were too big. (It was a reminder of a game last year when multiple Swarm players were accused of having non-regulation equipment. Ref examination found that not to be the case.) Patterson’s pads were found to be regulation size. The Rock took the penalty for delay of game for the incident. (This gave PA Announcer Rusty Kath fodder for later in the game, when the Swarm scored one of their later goals, that perhaps the Rock goalie might have wanted to get bigger pads.)

The Swarm Performance Team also made an appearance, but were outshone by the half-time gymnasts, who were clearly more talented. Although I’m sure most of the males don’t mind, the Swarm Performance Team is unable to afford full uniforms and are woefully underdressed. A clothing drive will be held to help cover them.

And, of course, the best news of the last week, only marginally related to the Swarm*, is that Mikko Koivu is back playing! YAY!

*The Wild and Swarm are owned by the same people.

I’m with the rest of you, still waiting on news of Santana--no matter what happens, I’ll be here to discuss it: new contract? Trade? Nothing? There’s pros and cons to everything. It’s a little bit concerning that the Twins had to head off on their Winter Caravan with two promotional videos: one featuring Santana, and one not, just in case he’s traded while the guys are on the road caravanning.

Also, I did not know that caravanning was a real word. I learn something new every day!