Wings 2009 Game 13 (at New York 4-4-09) and Game 14 (vs. New York 4-5-09)

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (5-7) will look to make some noise in their quest for a spot in the National Lacrosse League postseason when they face the New York Titans (7-5) in a home and home weekend set. Saturday night's faceoff will be at 7:30 at Newark's Prudential Center while Sunday's game will be at 2:30 at the Wachovia Center. Both games can be seen for free on NLL.com.

History

The Wings and Titans have split the six games played with Philadelphia winning the first three and New York the last three, including their first meeting this season. Despite Merrick Thomson's five goal night, the Wings could not hold an early lead and dropped a 15-12 decision February 8th in Newark. On the road the Wings are 1-2 against the Titans (1-0 at Nassau Coliseum, 0-1 at Sovereign Bank Arena, 0-1 at Prudential Center) while going 2-1 in Philadelphia.

Last Game

The Wings put forth their highest offensive output of the 2009 season in defeating the Colorado Mammoth 17-13 last Saturday at the Wachovia Center. Athan Iannucci paced the Wings with four goals while Mat Giles added six assists. Brandon Miller made 37 saves while also scoring an empty net goal for Philadelphia. New York defeated the Buffalo Bandits 11-9 Saturday night at Buffalo's HSBC Arena.

Stats and Stuff

Several Wings are approaching career highs in point totals. Merrick Thomson (30-19-49) has already eclipsed his goal total from last season (26) and needs seven more points to top his point total from his rookie season of a year ago. Mat Giles (17-36-53) needs eight points to set a new career high (60 points with Ottawa in 2003) while having already set a career high in assists (previously 30 in 2007 with Chicago). Kyle Wailes (10-26-36) needs two points for a new career best while having already topped his assist total from his first season in 2007 (21).

Quotes

Wings Coach Dave Huntley on the playoff push: "We play all three teams (New York, Toronto and Rochester) we're competing for a playoff spot with. We totally control our destiny, if we win all those games we're in. If we stumble then we'll need some help. I like the way our team is playing right now."

Next Game

The Wings will conclude the home portion of their 2009 schedule when they host the Toronto Rock on April 11th.

Playoff Push On, Wings Move Forward

By- Kevin M. Neibauer

The Philadelphia Wings dug a hole for themselves this season. Entering the Saturday with the Colorado Mammoth, the Wings were on the outside looking in at the playoff hunt.

But, the team finally got some luck. Every player is now healthy, Toronto lost to Edmonton.

For the first time this season, Philadelphia put together a strong contest for the entire game.

Game MVP, Brandon Miller stopped 37 Colorado shots and added an assist and a goal.

Drew "The Highlight Film" Westervelt, who improves every game, was again impressive with two acrobatic goals.

Athan Iannucci showed why he is the reigning mVP of the National Lacrosse League. AI is getting stronger andeven better each game.

"I think we have played pretty good the last month." said Head Coach, Dave Huntley. "It's the first time all year that we had everyone available to us. This is the best result that we have had all season. After the Boston game, we could only get better."

Huntley continued, "The Boston game, we only had twelve guys who were healthy...that makes it difficult.'

When asked about the solid game turned in by Brandon Miller, Huntley went on to say, "Brandon has played really solid for us...Coaches get fired because of the way players play and goalies get pulled for the way teammates play. Goalies get pulled, that's the nature of the beast."

"He was very solid tonight, those last two games he was pulled, but, he is our starter and that's why we came back with him. Blazer (Rob Blasdell) was real good for us in those two games...we have two real good goalies."

Focus then shifted to Brandon Miller.

"I felt a little rusty, with the week off. I didn't feel as though I was on top of my game, I don't think I was seeing the ball as well as I have. I thought the defense was awesome tonight." I gave up a few that I shouldn't have but, overall a solid sixty minutes a big win." Miller stated.

I proceeded to ask him about his goal. "That was my second goal, I got one when I played in San Jose. It was in Anaheim. It's nice to get one every now and again."

"Next week is huge. New York won tonight, Rochester won tonight and Toronto won last night...we really have to get both those games. It's a playoff weekend for us for sure. We are coming off a big win, everyone played hard.

DID YOU NOTICE-That Kyle Sweeney had a goal and three assists....Both Wings goaltenders have scored goals....the officials were much improved...for the second straight game, a Wings player was given a cheapshot...Jamie Shewchuk punched Geoff Snider where no man whould ever be hit...Snider was 25 of 30 on face-offs...that is what wins games...the postgame auction for Chris Sanderson was a rousing success. Class move by the Colorado and Rochester organizations for sending a jersey to be sold..
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Kevin
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