2012 Wings Lacrosse (3-23-12 at Colorado, 3-25-12 vs. Colorado)

by Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (6-4) could possibly clinch a spot in the 2012 National Lacrosse League postseason this weekend when they face the Colorado Mammoth (8-2) in a weekend home and home series. Friday the teams will meet at 9 PM at Denver’s Pepsi Center with the second game taking place Sunday at 4 PM at the Wells Fargo Center. Both games can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com while Friday’s game will be broadcast live on the Comcast Network.

History

The Wings are 29-13 against the Colorado franchise including their previous seasons in Baltimore (1987-1999), Pittsburgh (2000) and Washington (2001-2002). Since the team’s move to Denver the Wings are 7-3 overall and 3-2 at the Pepsi Center having won their last three visits to the Mile High City. In 2011 the Wings swept the season series from the Mammoth. On January 22 the Wings won in Denver 11-10 with Paul Dawson scoring with 90 seconds to play in regulation to seal the win. On January 29 in Philadelphia the Wings held on to defeat the Mammoth 12-11 with Drew Westervelt scoring the game winner to complete a hat trick. Brandon Miller was in goal for both wins.

Last Game

Brendan Mundorf scored twice during a five on three power play late in the fourth quarter as the Wings held off the Edmonton Rush 16-15 last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center. Dan Dawson added two goals and 10 assists while Mike Hominuck contributed three goals and nine assists. Kevin Crowley also tallied four goals for the Wings.

The Opponent

The Mammoth last played on March 11 losing 11-8 to the Washington Stealth. Colorado has been led this season by John Grant Jr. with 31 goals and 37 assists. Gavin Prout also has 37 helpers while Chris Levis sports an 11.67 GAA.

Notes

Two current members of the Wings have played for Colorado: John McFadyen (2010) and Ned Crotty (2011).

The Wings picked up D Chris Schiller on March 18 as a free agent after Schiller was released by the Rochester Knighthawks on March 10. Schiller was a member of the Wings practice squad in 2001.

Dan Dawson needs two assists to set a Wings single season record (Dan Marohl had 57 in 2005).

With last week’s win the Wings have surpassed the win total from both 2010 and 2011 (5).

On This Date

The Wings are 3-0 on March 23 (defeated the Baltimore Thunder 221-16 in 1991, the Buffalo Bandits 14-12 in 1996 and the Toronto Rock 12-11 in 2002). On March 25 the Wings are 1-2 (defeated Buffalo 19-16 in 1995, lost to Toronto 15-13 in 2000 and lost to the Arizona Sting 13-12 in 2006).

Next game

The Wings play their last regular season home game in 2012 when they host the Minnesota Swarm on April 6.