The Philadelphia Wings (0-1) will look to rebound from their opening night loss in Buffalo when they travel to Rochester to face the Knighthawks on Saturday night. Faceoff at the Blue Cross Arena is at 8 PM. The game can be seen for free at NLL.com.
Last Week
The Wings opened the season with a 15-11 loss to the Buffalo Bandits. Drew Westervelt scored the first of his three goals just 10 seconds into the game. Westervelt also added a pair of assists. Geoff Snider added a goal and five assists while Mat Giles and Kyle Wailes each scored two goals and an assist. Rob Blasdell gave up 10 goals through three quarters before yielding to Brandon Miller in the fourth.
History
The Wings are 14-17 all time versus Rochester, inluding a 4-10 record at Blue Cross Arena. The Wings have lost five straight in Rochester with their last win at the BCA coming on December 27, 2003 (13-7). In 2008 the teams split their two meetings, each winning at home. Philadelphia led 13-7 after three quarters and held on to defeat Rochester 15-14 at the Wachovia Center on January 18. Athan Iannucci used an eight point (5 G, 3A) night to overcome a five goal night from the K-Hawks John Grant Jr. On March 29 the Wings were hammered 20-12 by the Knighthawks at the BCA behind an eight point (4G, 4A) game from Grant and seven points (3G, 4A) from Ken Millin. Iannucci and Geoff Snider each scored three goals for the Wings.
The Gaits are back!
Saturday night's game will mark the return of Gary Gait to the NLL playing field. Gait, who had retired following the 2005 season, had his playing rights acquired from the Colorado Mammoth by Rochester after losing John Grant Jr to a season ending injury. Brother Paul also makes his return to the NLL and to Rochester, this time as the Knighthawks coach. Paul was hired to coach on December 26, two days after Paul Suggate resigned after less than four months on the job. As a player, Paul Gait was an original member of the Knighthawks and helped them to their first title in 1997.
Next Game
The Wings will return to action on January 23 when they host the Boston Blazers in the start of a home and home weekend with the NLL's newest team.
