Wings Game #3 (vs. Buffalo 1-26-08)

By Tom Hoffman

In the final game of a three game homestand to open the 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the Philadelphia Wings (2-0) will look to reach their first 3-0 start since 1997 when they host the Buffalo Bandits (2-1) Saturday night. Faceoff at the Wachovia Center is at 7:30 PM.

History

The Wings are 16-17 in regular season play against the Bandits after losing both matchups in 2007. Buffalo won at the Wachovia Center on February 17 by a score of 12-8 then completed the sweep a week later in Buffalo with 13-12 win on a Kevin Dostie goal with :08 remaining in regulation. The Wings are 9-7 at home in regular season play versus Buffalo. John Tavares led the Bandits with seven goals and seven assists last season against the Wings while Kyle Wailes and Athan Iannucci each scored four goals for the Wings. Geoff Snider won 42 of 45 faceoffs in the two meetings.

Last Week

The Wings improved to 2-0 by holding on for a 15-14 win over Rochester last Friday evening. Athan Iannucci's five goal performance helped the Wings withstand a furious comeback by the defending champion Knighthawks in the final quarter. Iannucci also added three assists while Jake Bergey tallied four goals and three assists and rookie Merrick Thomson chipped in with three assists. Rob Blasdell made 37 saves in the winning effort.

Stats and Stuff

The last time the Wings won three straight home games was in 2003 in what would become a five game winning streak.

Through the opening two games, the Wings have yet to trail during any part of the game.

Brenden Thenhaus and Jason Crosbie were in Bandits jerseys for both games against the Wings while Ian Llord suited up for the Wings. Thenhaus was picked up in the Boston/Arizona dispersal draft while Llord and Crosbie were part of the three way deal involving the Calgary Roughnecks. Sean Greenhalgh, who was also dealt to the Bandits in that transaction, is out with a knee injury.

Quotes from the Rochester game

Athan Iannucci on the team's offense: "I like the style of play that (Coach Dave) Huntley's got us playing. We seem to have good chemistry out there, myself, (Merrick) Thomson, (Jake) Bergey, (Jason) Crosbie. Everyone played great tonight."

Iannucci on the Knighthawks: "They are the defending champs. They're a powerhouse team. If you let them get enough shots and enough odd-man opportunities they're going to bury them. and that's exactly what they did. We've got to get better closing the door."

Rob Blasdell: "It's a learning thing in this dressing room right now. I'm just glad we were able to win that one. The guys bailed me out, I didn't play real well in he fourth. Then again, that's the best offensive team in the league. I think we held our own. We'll take the win out of this and learn from everything that we did right and did wrong and move on."

Wings Coach Dave Huntley: "I was pretty proud of how we handled their (Rochester's) push and came out with a win. It's a lot for our guys to be proud of. It was a great learning experience."

Next game

The Wings will get a near three week break after this game. The team will return to action in their first road game when the visit Denver to take on the Mammoth on February 15.