By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (4-3) will look to extend their win streak to three games when they visit the Buffalo Bandits on Friday night to reach the midpoint of their 2013 National Lacrosse League schedule. Game time at the First Niagara Center is at 7:30 PM and the game can be seen live at www.youtube.com/thelacrossenetwork.
History
The Wings are 23-24 against the Bandits in regular season play, 10-14 in Buffalo (9-10 at First Niagara Center). The teams have met twice this season, each team winning on its home floor. The Wings were 13-8 winners in Philadelphia on January 11 while the Bandits eked out a 14-13 win on January 26.
Last Weekend
The Wings swept back to back games last weekend starting with a 10-8 win over the Rochester Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena last Saturday. After trailing 4-0 after the first quarter the Wings defense tightened up allowing just four goals over that last 45 minutes of play. Kevin Crowley, Drew Westervelt and Kevin Buchanan each had a pair of goals. Sunday the Wings completed their sweep with a 14-12 win over the Colorado Mammoth at the Wells Fargo Center. Westervelt added four more goals in this game while Paul Rabil and Kevin Ross tallied hat tricks. Brandon Miller made 84 saves combined last weekend to pick up both victories.
History
The Wings are 23-24 against the Bandits in regular season play, 10-14 in Buffalo (9-10 at First Niagara Center). The teams have met twice this season, each team winning on its home floor. The Wings were 13-8 winners in Philadelphia on January 11 while the Bandits eked out a 14-13 win on January 26.
Last Weekend
The Wings swept back to back games last weekend starting with a 10-8 win over the Rochester Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena last Saturday. After trailing 4-0 after the first quarter the Wings defense tightened up allowing just four goals over that last 45 minutes of play. Kevin Crowley, Drew Westervelt and Kevin Buchanan each had a pair of goals. Sunday the Wings completed their sweep with a 14-12 win over the Colorado Mammoth at the Wells Fargo Center. Westervelt added four more goals in this game while Paul Rabil and Kevin Ross tallied hat tricks. Brandon Miller made 84 saves combined last weekend to pick up both victories.
Buffalo was idle last weekend after defeating Rochester 10-6 on February 16 at the Blue Cross Arena. The Bandits will face the Toronto Rock on Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre prior to hosting the Wings.
Trivia
This player was the Bandits #1 pick in the 1992 Major Indoor Lacrosse League Entry Draft (held prior to the 1993 season) and was later traded to the Wings making his pro debut in 1994. Name this player?
On this date
The Wings are 1-1 on March 1 having defeated the Columbus Landsharks 13-12 at the First Union Center in 2003, and falling to the Buffalo Bandits 21-12 in 2008 at the HSBC Arena.
Wings leaders vs. Buffalo in 2013
Goals: 4 each for Kevin Crowley, Jordan Hall, Kevin Ross and Kevin Buchanan.
Assists: Hall (9)
Points: Hall (13)
Saves: Brandon Miller (81)
Answer
Buffalo’s first round pick in the 1992 draft was Tom “Hollywood” Marechek. Marechek holds the Wings franchise records for all time goals (399), assists (374) and points (773) and was inducted into the NLL’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
Next Game
The Wings will return to action on March 9 when they host Athan Iannucci and the Washington Stealth.
The Wings will return to action on March 9 when they host Athan Iannucci and the Washington Stealth.
