Home remains not so sweet for Wings following loss to Swarm

by Tom Hoffman

Going into Friday night's game with the Minnesota Swarm, the Philadelphia Wings knew what needed to be done to secure the franchise's first home playoff game since 2002. Two wins this weekend coupled with a Rochester loss in Calgary would have assured at least one home game for the Wings, who will be in the National Lacrosse League playoffs for the first time since 2008. After their 13-9 loss to the Swarm, some may wonder if they actually want to see the Wings play at home in the postseason.

The Wings, who had the previous weekend off, did look to be rusty in what was a low scoring first half that would end up tied at 4. The teams would trade goals in a more spirited third quarter, entering the final stanza even at seven. But much like their loss on March 3 at home against Rochester, the fourth quarter was their achilles heel. Minnesota scored twice to take a 9-7 lead with just over six minutes to play but Drew Westervelt would pull the Wings even again with 4:30 left in regulation. But the Wings could not overcome the duo of Corbyn Tao and Tyler Hass as they each scored twice in the game's latter moments to give the Swarm not only a much needed victory, but an end to their four game losing streak as well. To Wings coach Johnny Mouradian, this was definitely a lost chance to put some space between themselves and the rest of the East Division.

"With a back to back weekend home and away, it would've been nice to win the one at home," Mouradian said. "We know it's gonna be a battle in Buffalo, they're sitting there ready for us."

While the Wings head to Buffalo with a 4-1 record away from the Wells Fargo Center, Mouradian wonders why the Wings continue to struggle at home where they finished the regular season at 3-5 and have been below .500 for a third straight season.

"I don't think there's any rhyme or reason why were losing at home," Mouradian said.

The best the Wings can do now is put this game in the rearview mirror and look to rebound against a reeling Bandits squad before another week off prior to finishing the regular season on the road against the Swarm and Knighthawks.