2012 Wings Lacrosse (1-14-12 vs. Rochester)

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings open their 26th season of play this Saturday evening when they host the Rochester Knighthawks at the Wells Fargo Center. Game time is at 7 PM, the game can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com and will also be broadcast on Z88.9 (Burlington County College) and online at www.z889.org.

History

The Wings are 15-23 all time against the Knighthawks, 10-9 at home. Rochester won all three meetings in 2011 (11-6 and 13-10 at Rochester, 10-6 at Philadelphia) and has won six straight against the Wings. The last Wings victory over Rochester was on January 10, 2009 (16-13 at Rochester) while the last time the Wings beat the Knighthawks in Philadelphia was a 15-14 decision on January 18, 2008.

Openers

The Wings have a 12-13 record in season openers but have lost their last three and four of the last five. At home, the Wings are 14-11 in openers yet are just 7-8 in openers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Wings have previously opened the regular season twice against the Knighthawks (2001 and 2004, both in Rochester and both victories for the Wings) while this game will be the third time opening at home vs. Rochester (18-17 win at the Spectrum in 1995 and a 17-11 loss in 2004).

Changes

Another year means more changes to the Wings roster. Notable additions for 2012 were the acquisitions of Dan Dawson (via the Boston Blazers dispersal draft), Brodie Merrill (from the Edmonton Rush in the Athan Iannucci deal) and Kevin Crowley (#1 pick in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft). Other new faces include Jordan Sealock (acquired from the Calgary Roughnecks), Steve Fryer (4th round selection in the 2011 Entry Draft), Ned Crotty (acquired from the Colorado Mammoth) and Mike Hominuck (free agent signing). Returning to the Wings after a year away is former captain Thomas Hajek. Besides Iannucci, other notables not back this season are Alex Turner (part of the Merrill trade), Ryan Boyle (released), Taylor Wray (Head Coach at St. Joseph’s University) and Shawn Nadelen (retired).

Changes have also taken place behind the Wings bench as GM Johnny Mouradian has taken over the coaching duties from John Tucker, who remains in the organization as a scout. Blane Harrison moves from offense to defense as Jim Milligan of the Major Series Lacrosse Peterborough Lakers will handle the offense.

The Visitors

Top returnees for the Knighthawks are 2010 top draft pick Cody Jamieson (28G, 25A), Jordan Hall (18G, 22A), Pat McCready (101 loose balls) and Matt Vinc (9.77 GAA). Key losses are Shawn Williams (traded to the Edmonton Rush) and Shawn Evans (traded to Calgary).

On this date

The Wings are 2-1 on January 14. In 1989 the Wings defeated the New England Blazers 19-8 at the Spectrum, in 1995 defeated the New York Saints 11-10 at Nassau Coliseum and lost 13-10 to the Minnesota Swarm in 2006 at the Wells Fargo (then Wachovia) Center.

Next Game

The Wings will return to action on January 21 when the face the Washington Stealth.