By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (10-6 regular season) return to postseason play for the first time since 2002. Awaiting them is a familiar foe in the Buffalo Bandits (10-6 regular season). The teams will open the 2008 National Lacrosse League playoffs with a 7:30 faceoff on Friday night. The game will be shown on B2 Networks.
Playoff History
The Wings are 16-9 all time in postseason play, 3-3 against Buffalo. On the road the Wings are 6-5 and 2-2 in Buffalo, all four games (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) having been played at Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium. The two teams last met in the playoffs in 1998 when the Wings were victorious at the Wachovia Center 17-12. The Wings Jake Bergey and Peter Jacobs, along with Buffalo's John Tavares and Rich Kilgour, as well as Bandits coach Darris Kilgour, all played in that game on April 18, 1998. The Wings last postseason appearance was on March 30, 2002 when they lost 12-11 to the Washington Power. Bergey and Jacobs are the lone Wings remaining from that team while Darris Kilgour coached the Power and was assisted by current Wings coach Dave Huntley. Buffalo is 15-10 in postseason play. The two squads have combined for nine championships (six for the Wings, three for Buffalo), seven from the NLL's predecessor, the Major Indoor Lacrosse League.
Regular Season
The Wings and Bandits split their two meetings in 2008. The Wings got a late tying goal from Jamie Rooney and an overtime goal from Jake Bergey to defeat the Bandits 15-14 on January 26th at the Wachovia Center. Buffalo returned the favor on March 1st, coming back from an early 5-0 deficit to spank the Wings 21-12 at HSBC Arena. Athan Iannucci led the Wings in the two games with 13 points on eight goals and five assists while Merrick Thomson added four goals and six assists. Buffalo was led by Cory Bomberry with 16 points (4 goals and 12 assists) and 15 point efforts from John Tavares (11 assists) and Mark Steenhuis (eight goals). Rob Blasdell went 1-1 for the Wings, making 75 saves in the two games. Mike Thompson took the loss in the OT game in Philly while former Wing Ken Montour shut the door on his former mates after replacing Thompson in the game in Buffalo.
Season Finales
The Wings got a goal from Athan Iannucci with under a minute remaining in regulation to defeat Toronto 15-14 on Sunday. Iannucci had four goals and an assist to give him 71 goals and 100 points for the 2008 season, adding to his league record goal total while setting a Wings team record for points in a season. Buffalo clinched the overall top spot in the NLL with a 14-10 win Saturday against Portland.
Team Leaders
Goals: Wings: Athan Iannucci - 71*; Bandits: Mark Steenhuis - 34
Assists: Wings - Jason Crosbie - 40; Bandits: John Tavares - 58
Points: Wings - Iannucci - 100*; Bandits: Tavares - 87
Saves: Wings - Rob Blasdell - 434; Bandits: Ken Montour - 346
* - League Leader
Quotes from Toronto
Wings Coach Dave Huntley on the final game and the playoffs: "I'm delighted we have a 10-6 record. For our guys to focus under difficult circumstances, it was great. It was a nice win, now we have to get ready for Buffalo on Friday night. I know we're gonna give a good effort and I know Darris is gonna have them well prepared and I think it should be a great game between two real good teams."
Wings GM Lindsay Sanderson on the Wings making it to the postseason: "Yeah, it's long overdue. I'm very happy with what Dave and Chris (Sanderson) have done with these guys. The past 2-3 years we would have found a way to not finish like we did here tonight. It (the Air Canada Centre) is a tough building and we found a way. We've been doing that pretty well all year. We're looking forward to the challenge in Buffalo."
Wings Captain Thomas Hajek on making the playoffs after New York beat Rochester: "A long time coming, it feels great. We backdoored it but it was a good win tonight. We didn't have a lot to play for and we still came out with a good effort. I think we're confident going in there (Buffalo). They're a great team and they're number one for a reason but I think we've played them well. I'm pretty excited about it."
Next Game
A win takes the Wings to the East Division final against the Minnesota-New York winner. Otherwise the 2009 opener will be the next game.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wings make playoffs, then survive game in Toronto. Buffalo up next.
By Tom Hoffman
March 30, 2002. It was the last time the Philadelphia Wings had seen postseason play. That was until Saturday evening when they found out the New York Titans had defeated Rochester and the Wings dance ticket was punched for the first time since that date. And with Buffalo and Minnesota also winning, the Wings quickly found that they would be traveling to Buffalo for their first round matchup on Friday May 2. All of which made the Wings game Sunday with Toronto to be nothing more than a day of play the game and don't get hurt. Except that for what was listed in the standings as a meaningless game actually turned into one of the more exciting games of the season. One that almost followed the pattern of several recent Wing visits to Toronto, except Athan Iannucci, as he has done all season, put his own stamp on the final score, a 15-14 Wing victory to get them ready for the playoffs.
On a day when the Rock said their farewells to retiring captain Jim Veltman, the Wings started out like they have in several recent visits to the Air Canada Centre, with a huge first quarter. After Veltman scored Toronto's first goal on his special day to cut the Philly lead in half, the Wings scored the next five goals to take a 7-1 lead and chase Rock keeper Bob Watson. The score was 8-2 after one when the Rock slowly, as they have done to the Wings so often and cruelly in the past, started making it a game. The Wings would still hold the lead at half (10-7) and after 3 (12-9).
Goals by Jamie Rooney and Iannucci sandwiched a Blaine Manning tally to give the Wings a 14-10 lead with 9:50 remaining to play. From that point, the game began to resemble many other Wing visits, with a Rock comeback that resulted in a tie game on Aaron Wilson's second score of the day with 4:40 left in regulation. The Wings looked to have a great chance to ice the game though when penalties to Toronto's Chris Stewart and Jamie Taylor gave Philly a late two man advantage. But 45 seconds after the Taylor penalty, the Wings Taylor Wray was given a five minute major for cross-checking which resulted in a Toronto powerplay that started with just under a minute left to play. After a failed Toronto possession, the Wings made a shorthanded break. A flurry of shots resulted in some spectacular saves by Rock backup goalie Mike Poulin. However, the final rebound found its way to Iannucci's stick and he would bury it for his fourth goal of the day, 71st of the season AND his 100th point of the year. While the fans felt the game was over, chanting "Thank you Jim" to their retiring captain, the Rock did get one final chance after a Wings 10 second violation. Brandon Miller then made the biggest of his 29 saves in the second half and the Wings would take home a well deserved victory.
Now the Wings get to head back to Buffalo for the postseason and begin a run for the NLL Champions Cup.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wings Game #16 (at Toronto 4-27-08)
By Tom Hoffman
For the Philadelphia Wings , their postseason hopes come down to the final day of the season when they travel to Toronto for the season finale with the Rock on Sunday afternoon. Game time at the Air Canada Centre is at 1 PM.
History
The Wings defeated the Rock 11-9 on April 6th at the Wachovia Center behind a four goal night from Athan Iannucci and 51 saves by Rob Blasdell. All time against Toronto the Wings are 7-17 in the regular season and just 2-9 on the road, with one win taking place in Hamilton, ON during the franchise's inagural season when they were the Ontario Raiders. The Wings last win in Toronto came on February 7, 2004, a 10-8 final.
Last Week
The Wings fell 11-8 to the New York Titans at the Wachovia Center in front of 17, 340 fans Saturday night, the Wings largest home crowd since 2002. Athan Iannucci tallied four goals and Brandon Miller was solid in net with 43 saves. Toronto lost in overtime at Calgary Ssaturday evening and was eliminated from postseason consideration.
Playoff Scenarios
(as listed on NLL.com)
The Wings will clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto OR a Rochester loss to New York.
They will clinch a home playoff game with a win over Toronto AND two of the following:-New York loss to Rochester.-Buffalo loss to Portland.-Two Minnesota losses to Chicago.
They will clinch the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with a win over Toronto AND a New York loss to Rochester AND a Buffalo loss to Portland AND two Minnesota losses to Chicago.
East Division Standings
x-Minnesota 9-5
x-Buffalo 9-6
New York 9-6
Wings 9-6
Rochester 8-7
Toronto 7-8
Chicago 5-9
x- clinched playoff spot
The Nooch Watch
Athan Iannucci needs three goals Sunday to reach 70 for the season. Iannucci needs three points to equal Tom Marechek's franchise record of 98 points in a single season (2002) and four to set a new team record.
Quote from Coach Huntley (after Saturday's game)
"I thought it was great goaltending by both goalies. Defensively I thought we were good, they were probably better. Offensively we weren't nearly as good as they were. We certainly had our chances to tie the game, we had our chances to make plays and we didn't at the end. The playoffs start a week early for us, that's all."
Next Game
Either an Eastern Division Semifinal the weekend of May 2-4 or the 2009 season opener.
For the Philadelphia Wings , their postseason hopes come down to the final day of the season when they travel to Toronto for the season finale with the Rock on Sunday afternoon. Game time at the Air Canada Centre is at 1 PM.
History
The Wings defeated the Rock 11-9 on April 6th at the Wachovia Center behind a four goal night from Athan Iannucci and 51 saves by Rob Blasdell. All time against Toronto the Wings are 7-17 in the regular season and just 2-9 on the road, with one win taking place in Hamilton, ON during the franchise's inagural season when they were the Ontario Raiders. The Wings last win in Toronto came on February 7, 2004, a 10-8 final.
Last Week
The Wings fell 11-8 to the New York Titans at the Wachovia Center in front of 17, 340 fans Saturday night, the Wings largest home crowd since 2002. Athan Iannucci tallied four goals and Brandon Miller was solid in net with 43 saves. Toronto lost in overtime at Calgary Ssaturday evening and was eliminated from postseason consideration.
Playoff Scenarios
(as listed on NLL.com)
The Wings will clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto OR a Rochester loss to New York.
They will clinch a home playoff game with a win over Toronto AND two of the following:-New York loss to Rochester.-Buffalo loss to Portland.-Two Minnesota losses to Chicago.
They will clinch the East Division title, top overall seed and home field advantage throughout playoffs with a win over Toronto AND a New York loss to Rochester AND a Buffalo loss to Portland AND two Minnesota losses to Chicago.
East Division Standings
x-Minnesota 9-5
x-Buffalo 9-6
New York 9-6
Wings 9-6
Rochester 8-7
Toronto 7-8
Chicago 5-9
x- clinched playoff spot
The Nooch Watch
Athan Iannucci needs three goals Sunday to reach 70 for the season. Iannucci needs three points to equal Tom Marechek's franchise record of 98 points in a single season (2002) and four to set a new team record.
Quote from Coach Huntley (after Saturday's game)
"I thought it was great goaltending by both goalies. Defensively I thought we were good, they were probably better. Offensively we weren't nearly as good as they were. We certainly had our chances to tie the game, we had our chances to make plays and we didn't at the end. The playoffs start a week early for us, that's all."
Next Game
Either an Eastern Division Semifinal the weekend of May 2-4 or the 2009 season opener.
From 6-0 to OH NO!
By- Kevin M. Neibauer
Last year, it started with Opening Night and a loss to the "mighty"? Edmonton Rush...followed by the guaranteed win loss to Minnesota.
This year, the debacle that was the Titans game. As a fan, nearly a lifelong fan at that....I am pissed.
Not at the losses, them I can handle, it's the way the team lost and the reaction that really angers me.
Case in point, Saturday night, for all intents and purposes, a playoff game. Biggest game of the year, largest crowd in five years, should be a Wings blow-out....
Granted, New York is a very good team, but c'mon. Eight friggin goals?
Athan Iannucci had four by himself. How do you let Pat Maddelena pick up 10 points?
At least we learned that Merrick Thomson is a sharp-shooter (10 shots-0 goals). Thomson can shoot the insignia off the goalies chest from anywhere on the field.
Like everyone else, I bought into this team when it was 6-0. Apparently the only one who didn't drink the cool-aid was Lindsay Sanderson. Sanderson was ripped on the boards for "messing with chemistry" by making mid-season moves. A legit back-up/starting goalie clearly was needed.
Rob Blasdell was lights out in the Wack Shack, but played like the lights were out on the road.
Dan Marohl, despite being injured was being asked to shoot lefty. Not exactly the best idea. So, AJ Shannon was recruited.
Say what you like, but Lindsay Sanderson knows the game. At least maybe he was trying to tip us off.
I am not sure if Saturday was a full moon but it seemed like at the Center. A lackluster effort dominated by a complete lack of desperation took charge of the night.
The night would end on a even stranger note. During the post-game media conference (which comprises exactly three people, one of which is the coach) Dave Huntley made a statement that boggled me.
"I guess our playoffs begin a week early when we play Toronto"...excuse me Dave, what was tonight? If we treated tonight like a playoff game, we wouldn't be worried about Sunday.
So, the bottom line is...a team that has won exactly two games on the road, now has to beat Toronto, then play two playoff games then, if they get that far a championship game....on the road. (Championship could still be a home game, but I could still be 6-5 and rich)
MORE PROOF SOMETHING WAS AMISS SATURDAY:
-Who had the bright idea? Why, after every single Saturday night homegame was at eight o clock do we decide, with a Phillies game at 3:55 to schedule the game for 7:30?
-Census reports-This is from the US Census Office. In light of the fact that at halftime, the Wachovia Center had 134,567 kids playing lacrosse. For that brief moment the floor of the Wachovia Center became the 6th largest city in the state.
BAD/WORSE-Bad idea to give out the MVP cardboard placards at half-time. Worse idea to realize that the first idea was bad idea and attempt to collect all the placards because of the influx of paper airplanes.
GEE THANKS I THINK- The half-time "tribute" to Athan Iannucci was well done except for three minor things. 1-Russ Cline pointing out that the attendance was 17,340 "The biggest crowd in five years years" that happens when you put on a winner on the floor (The Wachovia people kinda recommend that). 2-What knucklehead allowed the Titans on the floor during the tribute? 3-What knucklehead decided that the time was right for them go on the floor?
THE WTF IS THAT AWARD GOES TO- The seven foot tall Jerry Robbins mascot/voodoo doll. Holy Bad Self-Promtions Batman! Hey Jerry, Howard Eskin called, he's embarrassed for you. I may be emotionally scarred for life after watching that.....shooting tee-shirts to the crowd? Some some style, shoot out diamonds. That'll wow em.
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
Last year, it started with Opening Night and a loss to the "mighty"? Edmonton Rush...followed by the guaranteed win loss to Minnesota.
This year, the debacle that was the Titans game. As a fan, nearly a lifelong fan at that....I am pissed.
Not at the losses, them I can handle, it's the way the team lost and the reaction that really angers me.
Case in point, Saturday night, for all intents and purposes, a playoff game. Biggest game of the year, largest crowd in five years, should be a Wings blow-out....
Granted, New York is a very good team, but c'mon. Eight friggin goals?
Athan Iannucci had four by himself. How do you let Pat Maddelena pick up 10 points?
At least we learned that Merrick Thomson is a sharp-shooter (10 shots-0 goals). Thomson can shoot the insignia off the goalies chest from anywhere on the field.
Like everyone else, I bought into this team when it was 6-0. Apparently the only one who didn't drink the cool-aid was Lindsay Sanderson. Sanderson was ripped on the boards for "messing with chemistry" by making mid-season moves. A legit back-up/starting goalie clearly was needed.
Rob Blasdell was lights out in the Wack Shack, but played like the lights were out on the road.
Dan Marohl, despite being injured was being asked to shoot lefty. Not exactly the best idea. So, AJ Shannon was recruited.
Say what you like, but Lindsay Sanderson knows the game. At least maybe he was trying to tip us off.
I am not sure if Saturday was a full moon but it seemed like at the Center. A lackluster effort dominated by a complete lack of desperation took charge of the night.
The night would end on a even stranger note. During the post-game media conference (which comprises exactly three people, one of which is the coach) Dave Huntley made a statement that boggled me.
"I guess our playoffs begin a week early when we play Toronto"...excuse me Dave, what was tonight? If we treated tonight like a playoff game, we wouldn't be worried about Sunday.
So, the bottom line is...a team that has won exactly two games on the road, now has to beat Toronto, then play two playoff games then, if they get that far a championship game....on the road. (Championship could still be a home game, but I could still be 6-5 and rich)
MORE PROOF SOMETHING WAS AMISS SATURDAY:
-Who had the bright idea? Why, after every single Saturday night homegame was at eight o clock do we decide, with a Phillies game at 3:55 to schedule the game for 7:30?
-Census reports-This is from the US Census Office. In light of the fact that at halftime, the Wachovia Center had 134,567 kids playing lacrosse. For that brief moment the floor of the Wachovia Center became the 6th largest city in the state.
BAD/WORSE-Bad idea to give out the MVP cardboard placards at half-time. Worse idea to realize that the first idea was bad idea and attempt to collect all the placards because of the influx of paper airplanes.
GEE THANKS I THINK- The half-time "tribute" to Athan Iannucci was well done except for three minor things. 1-Russ Cline pointing out that the attendance was 17,340 "The biggest crowd in five years years" that happens when you put on a winner on the floor (The Wachovia people kinda recommend that). 2-What knucklehead allowed the Titans on the floor during the tribute? 3-What knucklehead decided that the time was right for them go on the floor?
THE WTF IS THAT AWARD GOES TO- The seven foot tall Jerry Robbins mascot/voodoo doll. Holy Bad Self-Promtions Batman! Hey Jerry, Howard Eskin called, he's embarrassed for you. I may be emotionally scarred for life after watching that.....shooting tee-shirts to the crowd? Some some style, shoot out diamonds. That'll wow em.
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Wings drop home finale before largest crowd in several years
By Tom Hoffman
A win and they were in. Very simple. Yet for the Philadelphia Wings, not so easy to do. In front of their largest crowd (17,340) since February 16, 2002, the Wings turned a lackluster effort into an 11-8 loss to the New York Titans. Both teams are now 9-6 but the Titans won two of the three meetings with Philly this season.
Unlike the first two matches between the teams, this one was a battle between the goalies. And both the Wings Brandon Miller and the Titans Matt Vinc played very well. For Vinc, it was a big weekend for him only giving up 15 goals in the Titans two wins in two days (NY beat Chicago 14-7 Friday night).
As has been happening too much lately, the Wings fell behind early when Casey Powell found the net just over four minutes into the game. Jake Bergey tied it just over a minute later before Brendan Mundorf regained the lead for New York halfway through the quarter. The Wings would again tie on an A.J. Shannon score but that would end up being as close as it would get for the Wings. Three times the Wings got to within a goal but could not put the equalizer past Vinc, who made 36 saves on the night. Miller had the busier night with 43 saves but the Wings offense struggled to support his efforts. Athan Iannucci added to his record goal totals with half of the Wings tallies but Bergey and Shannon were held to a goal each while Merrick Thomson and Jason Crosbie were shut out in the goal department and Jamie Rooney was a scratch.
Now the Wings have to go to their personal house of horrors, aka the Air Canada Centre, and again look for the simple, yet elusive, solution to ending their playoff drought. It could be as simple as just a win and they're in, it could involve some help from others. They'll know next Sunday what they'll need to do, if anything.
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