Split weekend for Wings

By Tom Hoffman

In a weekend that, in movie terms was "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", the Wings were able to equal their win total from 2007 with a solid 16-12 win over the New York Titans at home Friday night, only to follow it up with a 21-12 pounding from the Buffalo Bandits Saturday in Buffalo.

Friday's game started slowly for the Wings but after New York's Pat Maddalena scored ten seconds into the fourth quarter to bring the Titans within a goal, the Wings went on a four goal run (and six out of the next seven goals) to put the game away. It was another big night for Athan Iannucci, scoring six goals and adding two assists for yet another game MVP honor. Drew Westervelt looked solid in his NLL debut for the Wings, coming off of injured reserve after the trade of Brenden Thenhaus to Edmonton. The night's only real minus was Geoff Snider only going 12 for 26 in faceoffs. That can be attributed to his faceoff opponent, former Wing Jamie Hanford, who has long been one of the NLL's best at faceoffs.

Saturday started well for the Wings, jumping out to an early 5-0 lead and chasing Bandits starter Mike Thompson. 41 saves by backup Ken Montour and nine powerplay goals would end up the doing in the Wings on the evening, denying them their first ever 7-0 start. Without Jake Bergey in the lineup, the rookie Westervelt looked more comfortable in his second game, scoring two goals and two assists. That is when he wasn't serving bench minors for the Wings, who were called five times for too many men on the field penalties. Mark Steenhuis (4G, 6 A) and Cory Bomberry (3G, 7A) led the Bandit offense.

Now at 6-1, the Wings must now refocus and attempt to get back on the winning track when they host Toronto this Saturday afternoon.