Fourth quarter stumble costs Wings

By Tom Hoffman

In the end it was a 6-1 fourth quarter and three shorthanded goals that did in the Philadelphia Wings.  A huge turning point though in the Wings 13-9 loss Friday to the Calgary Roughnecks may have been a crease violation that stopped momentum the Wings carried from the third stanza.

The Wings and Roughnecks were sloppy and physical in their play but managed to keep the game close through the game first 45 minutes.  An early three goal Calgary lead was quickly overcome and after the Roughnecks added the game’s next two scores to lead 5-3 the Wings offense suddenly became the Pat Saunders show.  Saunders would score the game’s next four goals to give the Wings their first lead of the night at 7-5.  Calgary would score the next two goals, the second with 13 seconds to play in the third, and looked like they would be all even at seven entering the final period but the Wings CJ Costabile would score his first National Lacrosse League goal with three seconds left in the third to give the Wings an 8-7 lead heading to the final frame.  That’s when the momentum died.

A long distance blast from Jordan Hall that would’ve given the Wings a 9-7 cushion was called back after the officials called the Wings for a crease violation.  Calgary took advantage and scored the next four goals to take an 11-8 lead.  Former Roughneck Tracey Kelusky put one past Calgary keeper Mike Poulin to cut the deficit to a pair but an ill timed holding call to Wings Captain Brodie Merrill led to a Dane Dobbie power play goal that would put the game out of reach.  An empty net score by former Wing Geoff Snider was the final nail.

The loss slightly hurts the Wings playoff chances but a Toronto Rock loss Saturday in Vancouver would keep both teams tied for third when the Wings and Rock meet next weekend in Toronto with the playoff spot and tiebreaker on the line.  The Wings did get some help Friday at the Rochester Knighthawks won in overtime at Minnesota and with those to meeting again Saturday in Rochester another Knighthawk win would put the Swarm one game closer to elimination.  A win in Toronto would then put the Wings one step closer to a third straight postseason berth.  But to get that win the Wings will need to avoid the one bad quarter that has seemed to plague them all season.

For the Wings, the playoffs have unofficially begun.

Wings Lacrosse 2014 (4-4-14 vs. Calgary)

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (5-9) will look to extend their win streak to three and stay in the hunt for the National Lacrosse League playoffs when they host the Calgary Roughnecks (8-5) on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.  Game time is at 7 PM and the game can be seen live at www.youtube.com/thelacrossenetwork.

History

The Wings are 2-3 all time against the Roughnecks, 1-2 at the Wells Fargo Center.  Calgary has won the last three meeting with the Wings including last season’s 16-8 win in Philadelphia.  Kevin Crowley scored five points (2G, 3A) while Jordan Hall added three assists in that game.  Kevin Croswell started in goal for the Wings that day and gave up seven goals in 19:21.  Former Wing Geoff Snider notched a hat trick in his first game against the Wings (he missed the 2011 matchup in Philadelphia due to injury).     

Last Weekend

The Wings defeated the Colorado Mammoth 14-12 last Saturday in Denver.  Tracey Kelusky scored the game winning goal with one minute to play in regulation and Joel White added an empty netter to seal the win.  Evan Kirk made 36 saves in net while the offense was led by a hat trick from rookie Garrett Thul and seven points (1G, 6A) from Brodie Merrill.

Trivia

This former Wing in 2004 was the National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year award winner, Co-Defensive Player of the Year, First team All-Pro and an All-Rookie team selection while a member of the Calgary Roughnecks.  Name the player.

On this date

The Wings are 4-1 all time on April 4.  In 1992 the Wings defeated the New York Saints 8-6 at Nassau Coliseum to advance to the Major Indoor Lacrosse League Championship game.  In 1998 the Wings beat the Rochester Knighthawks 20-19 in overtime at the Blue Cross Arena.  In 2003 the Wings dropped a 14-13 decision to the Albany Attack at Pepsi Arena.  In 2004 the Wings won 17-15 over the Buffalo Bandits in Buffalo and in 2009 defeated the New York Titans 11-7 at the Prudential Center.

Notes

 Evan Kirk set a new career high in wins (5) during a regular season last week at Colorado (previous best was four in 2012 with Minnesota).  

Jordan Hall set a new career high in goals scored (26) last week at Colorado (previous best was 25 in 2009 with the NY Titans) as did Brett Manney (2, previous best was 1 in 2011).

Answer

Taylor Wray.  Wray played for the Wings from 2008-2012 after being traded from Calgary on July 24, 2007.

Next Game

The Wings will return to action on April 12 when they visit the Air Canada Centre to face the Toronto Rock in a battle for the third and final playoff spot in the Eastern Division.