Wings Division Semi-Final preview (at Buffalo 5-2-08)

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (10-6 regular season) return to postseason play for the first time since 2002. Awaiting them is a familiar foe in the Buffalo Bandits (10-6 regular season). The teams will open the 2008 National Lacrosse League playoffs with a 7:30 faceoff on Friday night. The game will be shown on B2 Networks.

Playoff History

The Wings are 16-9 all time in postseason play, 3-3 against Buffalo. On the road the Wings are 6-5 and 2-2 in Buffalo, all four games (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) having been played at Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium. The two teams last met in the playoffs in 1998 when the Wings were victorious at the Wachovia Center 17-12. The Wings Jake Bergey and Peter Jacobs, along with Buffalo's John Tavares and Rich Kilgour, as well as Bandits coach Darris Kilgour, all played in that game on April 18, 1998. The Wings last postseason appearance was on March 30, 2002 when they lost 12-11 to the Washington Power. Bergey and Jacobs are the lone Wings remaining from that team while Darris Kilgour coached the Power and was assisted by current Wings coach Dave Huntley. Buffalo is 15-10 in postseason play. The two squads have combined for nine championships (six for the Wings, three for Buffalo), seven from the NLL's predecessor, the Major Indoor Lacrosse League.

Regular Season

The Wings and Bandits split their two meetings in 2008. The Wings got a late tying goal from Jamie Rooney and an overtime goal from Jake Bergey to defeat the Bandits 15-14 on January 26th at the Wachovia Center. Buffalo returned the favor on March 1st, coming back from an early 5-0 deficit to spank the Wings 21-12 at HSBC Arena. Athan Iannucci led the Wings in the two games with 13 points on eight goals and five assists while Merrick Thomson added four goals and six assists. Buffalo was led by Cory Bomberry with 16 points (4 goals and 12 assists) and 15 point efforts from John Tavares (11 assists) and Mark Steenhuis (eight goals). Rob Blasdell went 1-1 for the Wings, making 75 saves in the two games. Mike Thompson took the loss in the OT game in Philly while former Wing Ken Montour shut the door on his former mates after replacing Thompson in the game in Buffalo.

Season Finales

The Wings got a goal from Athan Iannucci with under a minute remaining in regulation to defeat Toronto 15-14 on Sunday. Iannucci had four goals and an assist to give him 71 goals and 100 points for the 2008 season, adding to his league record goal total while setting a Wings team record for points in a season. Buffalo clinched the overall top spot in the NLL with a 14-10 win Saturday against Portland.

Team Leaders

Goals: Wings: Athan Iannucci - 71*; Bandits: Mark Steenhuis - 34
Assists: Wings - Jason Crosbie - 40; Bandits: John Tavares - 58
Points: Wings - Iannucci - 100*; Bandits: Tavares - 87
Saves: Wings - Rob Blasdell - 434; Bandits: Ken Montour - 346

* - League Leader

Quotes from Toronto

Wings Coach Dave Huntley on the final game and the playoffs: "I'm delighted we have a 10-6 record. For our guys to focus under difficult circumstances, it was great. It was a nice win, now we have to get ready for Buffalo on Friday night. I know we're gonna give a good effort and I know Darris is gonna have them well prepared and I think it should be a great game between two real good teams."

Wings GM Lindsay Sanderson on the Wings making it to the postseason: "Yeah, it's long overdue. I'm very happy with what Dave and Chris (Sanderson) have done with these guys. The past 2-3 years we would have found a way to not finish like we did here tonight. It (the Air Canada Centre) is a tough building and we found a way. We've been doing that pretty well all year. We're looking forward to the challenge in Buffalo."

Wings Captain Thomas Hajek on making the playoffs after New York beat Rochester: "A long time coming, it feels great. We backdoored it but it was a good win tonight. We didn't have a lot to play for and we still came out with a good effort. I think we're confident going in there (Buffalo). They're a great team and they're number one for a reason but I think we've played them well. I'm pretty excited about it."

Next Game

A win takes the Wings to the East Division final against the Minnesota-New York winner. Otherwise the 2009 opener will be the next game.