They've only faced off a few times, but there is a rivalry brewing between the Minnesota Swarm and the Calgary Roughnecks.

It might be as big a war of words as a war on the floor between the National Lacrosse League teams.

New Roughnecks head coach Dave Pym is still miffed about talk he heard through the grapevine some in the Minnesota management have referred to his players as divers.

It all seems to stem from last season's meeting in Minnesota, when Ryan Sharp drilled Scott Ranger towards the end of a Riggers victory, sending the Roughnecks forward tumbling to the floor.

The words still linger in Pym's mind as the Riggers face the Swarm today at the Saddledome (3 p.m.).

"It's disrespectful of the talent, character and hard work our guys live and die by," Pym said. "Ranger has had his head taken off a few times. It incenses me someone would say it's a systemic approach to the game (to be divers). The blood and guts on this team is second to none."

IAN.BUSBY@SUNMEDIA.CA