By Tom Hoffman
For the Philadelphia Wings , their postseason hopes come down to the final day of the season when they travel to Toronto for the season finale with the Rock on Sunday afternoon. Game time at the Air Canada Centre is at 1 PM.
History
The Wings defeated the Rock 11-9 on April 6th at the Wachovia Center behind a four goal night from Athan Iannucci and 51 saves by Rob Blasdell. All time against Toronto the Wings are 7-17 in the regular season and just 2-9 on the road, with one win taking place in Hamilton, ON during the franchise's inagural season when they were the Ontario Raiders. The Wings last win in Toronto came on February 7, 2004, a 10-8 final.
Last Week
The Wings fell 11-8 to the New York Titans at the Wachovia Center in front of 17, 340 fans Saturday night, the Wings largest home crowd since 2002. Athan Iannucci tallied four goals and Brandon Miller was solid in net with 43 saves. Toronto lost in overtime at Calgary Ssaturday evening and was eliminated from postseason consideration.
Playoff Scenarios
(as listed on NLL.com)
The Wings will clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto OR a Rochester loss to New York.
They will clinch a home playoff game with a win over Toronto AND two of the following:-New York loss to Rochester.-Buffalo loss to Portland.-Two Minnesota losses to Chicago.
They will clinch the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with a win over Toronto AND a New York loss to Rochester AND a Buffalo loss to Portland AND two Minnesota losses to Chicago.
East Division Standings
x-Minnesota 9-5
x-Buffalo 9-6
New York 9-6
Wings 9-6
Rochester 8-7
Toronto 7-8
Chicago 5-9
x- clinched playoff spot
The Nooch Watch
Athan Iannucci needs three goals Sunday to reach 70 for the season. Iannucci needs three points to equal Tom Marechek's franchise record of 98 points in a single season (2002) and four to set a new team record.
Quote from Coach Huntley (after Saturday's game)
"I thought it was great goaltending by both goalies. Defensively I thought we were good, they were probably better. Offensively we weren't nearly as good as they were. We certainly had our chances to tie the game, we had our chances to make plays and we didn't at the end. The playoffs start a week early for us, that's all."
Next Game
Either an Eastern Division Semifinal the weekend of May 2-4 or the 2009 season opener.
Monday, April 21, 2008
From 6-0 to OH NO!
By- Kevin M. Neibauer
Last year, it started with Opening Night and a loss to the "mighty"? Edmonton Rush...followed by the guaranteed win loss to Minnesota.
This year, the debacle that was the Titans game. As a fan, nearly a lifelong fan at that....I am pissed.
Not at the losses, them I can handle, it's the way the team lost and the reaction that really angers me.
Case in point, Saturday night, for all intents and purposes, a playoff game. Biggest game of the year, largest crowd in five years, should be a Wings blow-out....
Granted, New York is a very good team, but c'mon. Eight friggin goals?
Athan Iannucci had four by himself. How do you let Pat Maddelena pick up 10 points?
At least we learned that Merrick Thomson is a sharp-shooter (10 shots-0 goals). Thomson can shoot the insignia off the goalies chest from anywhere on the field.
Like everyone else, I bought into this team when it was 6-0. Apparently the only one who didn't drink the cool-aid was Lindsay Sanderson. Sanderson was ripped on the boards for "messing with chemistry" by making mid-season moves. A legit back-up/starting goalie clearly was needed.
Rob Blasdell was lights out in the Wack Shack, but played like the lights were out on the road.
Dan Marohl, despite being injured was being asked to shoot lefty. Not exactly the best idea. So, AJ Shannon was recruited.
Say what you like, but Lindsay Sanderson knows the game. At least maybe he was trying to tip us off.
I am not sure if Saturday was a full moon but it seemed like at the Center. A lackluster effort dominated by a complete lack of desperation took charge of the night.
The night would end on a even stranger note. During the post-game media conference (which comprises exactly three people, one of which is the coach) Dave Huntley made a statement that boggled me.
"I guess our playoffs begin a week early when we play Toronto"...excuse me Dave, what was tonight? If we treated tonight like a playoff game, we wouldn't be worried about Sunday.
So, the bottom line is...a team that has won exactly two games on the road, now has to beat Toronto, then play two playoff games then, if they get that far a championship game....on the road. (Championship could still be a home game, but I could still be 6-5 and rich)
MORE PROOF SOMETHING WAS AMISS SATURDAY:
-Who had the bright idea? Why, after every single Saturday night homegame was at eight o clock do we decide, with a Phillies game at 3:55 to schedule the game for 7:30?
-Census reports-This is from the US Census Office. In light of the fact that at halftime, the Wachovia Center had 134,567 kids playing lacrosse. For that brief moment the floor of the Wachovia Center became the 6th largest city in the state.
BAD/WORSE-Bad idea to give out the MVP cardboard placards at half-time. Worse idea to realize that the first idea was bad idea and attempt to collect all the placards because of the influx of paper airplanes.
GEE THANKS I THINK- The half-time "tribute" to Athan Iannucci was well done except for three minor things. 1-Russ Cline pointing out that the attendance was 17,340 "The biggest crowd in five years years" that happens when you put on a winner on the floor (The Wachovia people kinda recommend that). 2-What knucklehead allowed the Titans on the floor during the tribute? 3-What knucklehead decided that the time was right for them go on the floor?
THE WTF IS THAT AWARD GOES TO- The seven foot tall Jerry Robbins mascot/voodoo doll. Holy Bad Self-Promtions Batman! Hey Jerry, Howard Eskin called, he's embarrassed for you. I may be emotionally scarred for life after watching that.....shooting tee-shirts to the crowd? Some some style, shoot out diamonds. That'll wow em.
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
Last year, it started with Opening Night and a loss to the "mighty"? Edmonton Rush...followed by the guaranteed win loss to Minnesota.
This year, the debacle that was the Titans game. As a fan, nearly a lifelong fan at that....I am pissed.
Not at the losses, them I can handle, it's the way the team lost and the reaction that really angers me.
Case in point, Saturday night, for all intents and purposes, a playoff game. Biggest game of the year, largest crowd in five years, should be a Wings blow-out....
Granted, New York is a very good team, but c'mon. Eight friggin goals?
Athan Iannucci had four by himself. How do you let Pat Maddelena pick up 10 points?
At least we learned that Merrick Thomson is a sharp-shooter (10 shots-0 goals). Thomson can shoot the insignia off the goalies chest from anywhere on the field.
Like everyone else, I bought into this team when it was 6-0. Apparently the only one who didn't drink the cool-aid was Lindsay Sanderson. Sanderson was ripped on the boards for "messing with chemistry" by making mid-season moves. A legit back-up/starting goalie clearly was needed.
Rob Blasdell was lights out in the Wack Shack, but played like the lights were out on the road.
Dan Marohl, despite being injured was being asked to shoot lefty. Not exactly the best idea. So, AJ Shannon was recruited.
Say what you like, but Lindsay Sanderson knows the game. At least maybe he was trying to tip us off.
I am not sure if Saturday was a full moon but it seemed like at the Center. A lackluster effort dominated by a complete lack of desperation took charge of the night.
The night would end on a even stranger note. During the post-game media conference (which comprises exactly three people, one of which is the coach) Dave Huntley made a statement that boggled me.
"I guess our playoffs begin a week early when we play Toronto"...excuse me Dave, what was tonight? If we treated tonight like a playoff game, we wouldn't be worried about Sunday.
So, the bottom line is...a team that has won exactly two games on the road, now has to beat Toronto, then play two playoff games then, if they get that far a championship game....on the road. (Championship could still be a home game, but I could still be 6-5 and rich)
MORE PROOF SOMETHING WAS AMISS SATURDAY:
-Who had the bright idea? Why, after every single Saturday night homegame was at eight o clock do we decide, with a Phillies game at 3:55 to schedule the game for 7:30?
-Census reports-This is from the US Census Office. In light of the fact that at halftime, the Wachovia Center had 134,567 kids playing lacrosse. For that brief moment the floor of the Wachovia Center became the 6th largest city in the state.
BAD/WORSE-Bad idea to give out the MVP cardboard placards at half-time. Worse idea to realize that the first idea was bad idea and attempt to collect all the placards because of the influx of paper airplanes.
GEE THANKS I THINK- The half-time "tribute" to Athan Iannucci was well done except for three minor things. 1-Russ Cline pointing out that the attendance was 17,340 "The biggest crowd in five years years" that happens when you put on a winner on the floor (The Wachovia people kinda recommend that). 2-What knucklehead allowed the Titans on the floor during the tribute? 3-What knucklehead decided that the time was right for them go on the floor?
THE WTF IS THAT AWARD GOES TO- The seven foot tall Jerry Robbins mascot/voodoo doll. Holy Bad Self-Promtions Batman! Hey Jerry, Howard Eskin called, he's embarrassed for you. I may be emotionally scarred for life after watching that.....shooting tee-shirts to the crowd? Some some style, shoot out diamonds. That'll wow em.
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
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