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.

2012 Wings Lacrosse (4-6-12 vs. Minnesota, 4-7-12 at Buffalo)

by Tom Hoffman

With a spot in the National Lacrosse league’s 2012 postseason already set, the Philadelphia Wings (7-5) will look to clinch a home playoff game this weekend, and possibly the NLL’s East Division title, when they host the Minnesota Swarm (5-7) Friday at the Wells Fargo Center before heading to Buffalo’s First Niagara Center to meet the Bandits (4-8) on Saturday night. Friday’s game starts at 7 PM and can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com and on the Comcast Network while Saturday’s match will be shown on the CBS Sports Network.

History

The Wings are 7-8 all time in regular season play against the Swarm, 4-3 at home. In 2011 the Wings lost their only meeting of the season with the Swarm 11-9 on April 16 at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wings are 22-22 in regular season play against Buffalo and are 10-12 in Buffalo (9-8 at First Niagara Center). The Wings are 2-0 in 2012 against Buffalo winning 13-10 on January 27 in Buffalo and 14-13 February 12 in Philadelphia.

Last Weekend

The Wings split a weekend set with the Colorado Mammoth with each team taking a win on the road. The Wings defeated Colorado on March 23 in Denver 13-12 on Brendan Mundorf’s goal with 3.7 seconds to play in regulation. The Mammoth needed overtime two days later in Philadelphia to escape with a 16-15 win. Adam Jones scored 9:38 into the extra session to give Colorado the win.

The Opponents

Minnesota has lost its last four games, including a pair last weekend. Last Friday the Swarm lost at home 15-10 to the Calgary Roughnecks then traveled to Edmonton on Saturday losing 9-8 in overtime to the Rush. Buffalo lost last Saturday at home 15-9 to the Toronto Rock and have lost their last two games overall.

Playoff scenarios

Per NLL.com, the Wings can clinch a home playoff game with wins in both games this weekend and a Rochester loss at Calgary on Friday night and can clinch the East Division title with the above scenario and a loss by Toronto on Saturday.

A familiar face

Wings F Mike Hominuck has played previously for both of this weekend’s opponents. Hominuck played for the Bandits in 2004 and 2005 while he suited up for the Swarm in 2007 and 2008.

Milestones within reach

Dan Dawson needs seven assists to set a new NLL record for assists in a season. He and Josh Sanderson set the current record of 74 assists in 2009.

Brendan Mundorf can set career highs with six goals (28 in 2009), three assists (34 in 2011) and five points (59 in 2009).

Drew Westervelt needs five goals to set a new season best (34 in 2009).

On this date

The Wings are 2-0 on April 6. In 1996 the Wings defeated the Boston Blazers 10-8 in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League playoffs and in 2008 defeated the Toronto Rock 11-9. On April 7 the Wings are 4-0. In 1989 the Wings won their first MILL title on this date defeating the New York Saints 11-10. In 1990 they defeated the Saints again, this time in a semi-final game 11-10. In 2001 the Wings defeated the Columbus Landsharks 17-7 and in 2007 defeated the New York Titans 20-8.

Next Game

After another week off, the Wings will travel to St. Paul, MN to meet the Swarm on April 21