After the Philadelphia Wings announced their roster for the
2013 season following the trade of Dan and Paul Dawson to the Rochester
Knighthawks, many fans weren’t feeling very good about the team’s chances and were
likely flashing back to the beginning of the movie Major League. But many of those fans were likely part of
the 9,096 who made the trek to the Wells Fargo Center for Friday’s season
opener. And what the Wings fan base saw in
a 13-8 defeat of the Buffalo Bandits was hopefully a good look at a team that
will try to surprise the many naysayers that have gathered.
“I guess we didn’t do bad for not knowing what we’re doing,”
said Wings Coach Johnny Mouradian referring to the thoughts of those thinking a
team of American born players will have trouble winning in a Canadian dominated
National Lacrosse League.
With a lineup featuring several newcomers, it was two of the
new faces who got the Wings off to a 2-0 lead.
The Wings first goal of 2013 was scored by Ethan Farrell, who last fall
was a member of the Charlotte Copperheads of the Professional Lacrosse League
(PLL). Soon after, former Bandit Kevin
Buchanan netted the first of his three goals on the evening. Buffalo would tie the game at two with former
Wing David Brock opening the Bandits scoring but the Wings would regain the
lead and not let go thanks to a powerplay that took advantage four consecutive
goals, two coming on one of four five minute majors that were called in the
game (two on each team). Buchanan, who
assisted on two of the extra man tallies, felt the Wings man up play was a big
part of the win.
“Our powerplay was very good tonight,” said Buchanan. “Anytime you can go on the powerplay, these
are times you have to capitalize.”
After Kevin Crowley put the Wings up 8-3 9:59 into the
second quarter, Bandits Coach Darris Kilgour gave goalie Anthony Cosmo the rest
of the night off and brought in former Wings backup Kurtis Wagar. This may have been a move to wake up his
slumbering team but also may have been done looking ahead to their game in 24
hours at home vs. the Minnesota Swarm.
The Wings second half looked just as solid as the first 30
minutes and even when the Bandits got within three with 4:45 to play there was
no panic on the Philly side. Buchanan clinched
his hat trick just 66 seconds later and Kyle Hartzell added the finishing touch
with an empty net goal. And while the
defense and transition both played well, it was the play of Brandon Miller that
had Mouradian raving.
“He was spectacular
all night,” Mouradian said of his goaltender.
“We thought he did a marvelous job of getting the rebounds, keeping the
rebounds in the crease area and getting the ball up. He started the transition a lot for us.”
Also in good form during the opener was the home crowd,
something that was not lost on the players.
“When they get on their feet, you can feel it on the bench,”
said Crowley of the Wings faithful.
Crowley had four goals to lead the Wings goal scorers while
another newcomer, Jordan Hall, led overall with seven points on a goal and six assists.
Quiet was the big acquisition in the Rochester deal, Paul Rabil, who was held to a pair of assists. Miller made 43 saves in net to earn the win. The Wings will now prepare for their road
opener next weekend in Toronto.
