By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (5-10) will conclude their 2011 National Lacrosse League season when they visit the Minnesota Swarm (6-8) at the Xcel Energy Center at 8:30 PM. The game will be shown live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 7-7 all time in regular season play against the Swarm, this will be the lone meeting in 2011. On the road the Wings are 3-4 against Minnesota. In 2010 the Wings swept the season series from Minnesota with a 20-11 win in Philadelphia on March 13 and a 13-12 overtime win in St. Paul on April 17. Brandon Miller earned both wins last season making 81 saves over the two games.
Last Weekend
The Wings lost a pair of games to end their hopes for a playoff berth this season. On Saturday the Wings fell to the Boston Blazers 9-7 in Boston and on Sunday lost to the Rochester Knighthawks 10-6 at The Wells Fargo Center. In both games the Wings entered the fourth quarter trailing 7-5 but could never get the tying or go ahead goals. Brandon Miller took the loss in Boston despite a 30 save performance while Kurtis Wagar made his Wings debut on Sunday and made 34 saves. Minnesota lost in overtime 16-15 to the Washington Stealth in Everett, WA last Saturday.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
Name the current Wing who was selected in the 2004 Expansion Draft by the Swarm? Answer at the end of the preview.
Notes
All time the Wings are 1-1 on April 16. In 1994 the Wings won their third Major Indoor Lacrosse League title defeating the Buffalo bandits 26-15. In 1999 the Wings suffered what may be the worst loss in their history when they fell 13-2 to the Toronto Rock in the NLL Semi Finals.
The Wings can top their 2010 record (5-11) by a game with a win over the Swarm. A win would also give them a .500 record away from Philadelphia. The last time the Wings finished .500 or better on the road was in 2004 (4-4).
Next Game
See you during the 2012 season.
Trivia Answer
Shawn Nadelen was chosen with the sixth pick in the 2004 Expansion Draft by Minnesota. Nadelen would be re-acquired by the Wings on February 8, 2005 (along with a first round draft pick in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft) with Ryan Ward and the Wings fourth round draft pick in the 2005 Entry Draft going to the Swarm.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wings end home schedule passing quietly into the night
By Tom Hoffman
Less than 24 hours after seeing their playoff hopes dashed in Boston, the Philadelphia Wings came home to the Wells Fargo Center and delivered what was their typical home performance for 2011. Looking tired and if they'd rather be elsewhere, the Wings again could find very little on the offensive end and ended their home schedule with a 2-6 record following Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks.
As both teams played Saturday night and had to travel to Philadelphia, play was sluggish in the first quarter. Only one goal was scored in the game's first 15 minutes and it gave the Wings their only lead of the day when Drew Westervelt tallied 10:37 into the stanza. Wings backup Kurtis Wagar, making his first start of the season, stopped all 12 Knighthawk shots in the first and kept Rochester off the board until Shawn Williams tied the game 6:09 into the second. At that point the Knighthawk offense arose from its slumber to score the game's next five goals before the Wings Max Seibald scored in the final minute of the half to make it a 5-2 game.
The second half didn't start any better when Mike Accursi and Craig Point extended the Rochester lead to 7-2. Then, much like the previous night in Boston, the Wings scored the next three goals to go into the last 15 minutes down just 7-5. By the time the Wings scored goal number six though, the Knighthawks had broken the game open on scores by Jordan Hall, Jarrett Davis and an empty netter by Chris Driscoll.
Westervelt scored a hat trick for the Wings, who missed Athan Iannucci for the third straight game. Ryan Boyle added a goal and three assists while Wagar made 34 saves in his Wings debut. With one game remaining next week against the Minnesota Swarm, the Wings will look to at least finish a game better than they did in 2010. In what was likely a more frustrating season that the 2010 debacle of 5-11, that is about as positive as it gets. What to expect in 2012 is anyone's guess.
Less than 24 hours after seeing their playoff hopes dashed in Boston, the Philadelphia Wings came home to the Wells Fargo Center and delivered what was their typical home performance for 2011. Looking tired and if they'd rather be elsewhere, the Wings again could find very little on the offensive end and ended their home schedule with a 2-6 record following Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks.
As both teams played Saturday night and had to travel to Philadelphia, play was sluggish in the first quarter. Only one goal was scored in the game's first 15 minutes and it gave the Wings their only lead of the day when Drew Westervelt tallied 10:37 into the stanza. Wings backup Kurtis Wagar, making his first start of the season, stopped all 12 Knighthawk shots in the first and kept Rochester off the board until Shawn Williams tied the game 6:09 into the second. At that point the Knighthawk offense arose from its slumber to score the game's next five goals before the Wings Max Seibald scored in the final minute of the half to make it a 5-2 game.
The second half didn't start any better when Mike Accursi and Craig Point extended the Rochester lead to 7-2. Then, much like the previous night in Boston, the Wings scored the next three goals to go into the last 15 minutes down just 7-5. By the time the Wings scored goal number six though, the Knighthawks had broken the game open on scores by Jordan Hall, Jarrett Davis and an empty netter by Chris Driscoll.
Westervelt scored a hat trick for the Wings, who missed Athan Iannucci for the third straight game. Ryan Boyle added a goal and three assists while Wagar made 34 saves in his Wings debut. With one game remaining next week against the Minnesota Swarm, the Wings will look to at least finish a game better than they did in 2010. In what was likely a more frustrating season that the 2010 debacle of 5-11, that is about as positive as it gets. What to expect in 2012 is anyone's guess.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Too little too late = No playoffs for Wings
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings will miss the National Lacrosse League's postseason for the third straight season and eighth time in the last nine seasons following Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Boston Blazers. Missing Athan Iannucci for the second straight game, the Wings offense struggled as they trailed 4-2 after one quarter, 6-2 at halftime and 7-2 early into the third stanza. Behind the efforts of Ryan Boyle and Drew Westervelt the Wings would score five of the game's next six goals but could not find the tying or go ahead scores needed. As it has been most of the season the star of the game for the Wings was goalie Brandon Miller. Miller made 30 saves and kept the Wings from being routed.
Sunday the Wings will host Rochester in their final home game of 2011 before finishing the season in Minnesota on April 23.
The Philadelphia Wings will miss the National Lacrosse League's postseason for the third straight season and eighth time in the last nine seasons following Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Boston Blazers. Missing Athan Iannucci for the second straight game, the Wings offense struggled as they trailed 4-2 after one quarter, 6-2 at halftime and 7-2 early into the third stanza. Behind the efforts of Ryan Boyle and Drew Westervelt the Wings would score five of the game's next six goals but could not find the tying or go ahead scores needed. As it has been most of the season the star of the game for the Wings was goalie Brandon Miller. Miller made 30 saves and kept the Wings from being routed.
Sunday the Wings will host Rochester in their final home game of 2011 before finishing the season in Minnesota on April 23.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
2011 Wings Lacrosse (4-9-11 at Boston and 4-10-11 vs Rochester)
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings will take to the floor this weekend in a pair of games that could quite possibly clinch the team’s first National Lacrosse League playoff berth since 2008. The biggest game of the season takes place on Saturday when the Wings visit the Boston Blazers at 7:30 PM at TD Garden. Should the Wings be victorious they could then clinch a spot in the postseason when they host the Rochester Knighthawks Sunday at 2:30 PM. Both games will be shown on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 3-5 in regular season play against the Blazers and 1-1 in 2011. The Blazers won the season opener 10-6 at the Wells Fargo Center on January 8 while the Wings returned the favor on January 28 with an 11-5 win at TD Garden. The Wings are 2-2 all time at TD Garden, 1-2 against the current Blazers franchise. Against the Knighthawks the Wings are 15-22 all time in the regular season and 0-2 in 2011 with both losses taking place at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena. The Wings are 10-8 at home vs. Rochester.
Last Week
The Wings used a six goal outburst in the fourth quarter to defeat the Toronto Rock 12-11 last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center in front of a crowd of 9,044. Drew Westervelt and Brendan Mundorf chipped in hat tricks while Ryan Boyle added six assists. Brandon Miller held the potent Rock offense to just two second half goals. The Wings weekend opponents faced each other last Saturday in Boston with the Knighthawks defeating the Blazers 19-8.
Playoff Scenarios
According to NLL.com the playoff scenarios for the Wings and Blazers are pretty simple. A Boston victory on Saturday will eliminate the Wings while a Philly victory in Boston coupled with a win against Rochester will give the final spot in the East to the Wings. Otherwise it could come down to each team’s final game (Wings at Minnesota, Boston at Buffalo) to determine the four Eastern teams.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
On March 26, 1994 Paul Gait set a new league record by scoring 10 goals in one game. What team did he set this record against?
Notes
Former Wings captain Thomas Hajek signed with the Blazers on March 5. He joins former 2008 teammate Jamie Rooney on the Boston roster.
The Wings are 0-1 all time on April 9 losing in 2005 to the Toronto Rock 15-11. On April 10 the Wings are 1-3 all time. The lone win on this date was in the 1994 playoffs over the New York Saints.
Next Game
The Wings will close out the regular season with a visit to the Xcel Energy Center to face the Minnesota Swarm on April 16.
Trivia Answer
Paul Gait scored 10 goals against the original Blazers franchise in a 16-10 Wings victory at Boston Garden.
The Philadelphia Wings will take to the floor this weekend in a pair of games that could quite possibly clinch the team’s first National Lacrosse League playoff berth since 2008. The biggest game of the season takes place on Saturday when the Wings visit the Boston Blazers at 7:30 PM at TD Garden. Should the Wings be victorious they could then clinch a spot in the postseason when they host the Rochester Knighthawks Sunday at 2:30 PM. Both games will be shown on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 3-5 in regular season play against the Blazers and 1-1 in 2011. The Blazers won the season opener 10-6 at the Wells Fargo Center on January 8 while the Wings returned the favor on January 28 with an 11-5 win at TD Garden. The Wings are 2-2 all time at TD Garden, 1-2 against the current Blazers franchise. Against the Knighthawks the Wings are 15-22 all time in the regular season and 0-2 in 2011 with both losses taking place at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena. The Wings are 10-8 at home vs. Rochester.
Last Week
The Wings used a six goal outburst in the fourth quarter to defeat the Toronto Rock 12-11 last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center in front of a crowd of 9,044. Drew Westervelt and Brendan Mundorf chipped in hat tricks while Ryan Boyle added six assists. Brandon Miller held the potent Rock offense to just two second half goals. The Wings weekend opponents faced each other last Saturday in Boston with the Knighthawks defeating the Blazers 19-8.
Playoff Scenarios
According to NLL.com the playoff scenarios for the Wings and Blazers are pretty simple. A Boston victory on Saturday will eliminate the Wings while a Philly victory in Boston coupled with a win against Rochester will give the final spot in the East to the Wings. Otherwise it could come down to each team’s final game (Wings at Minnesota, Boston at Buffalo) to determine the four Eastern teams.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
On March 26, 1994 Paul Gait set a new league record by scoring 10 goals in one game. What team did he set this record against?
Notes
Former Wings captain Thomas Hajek signed with the Blazers on March 5. He joins former 2008 teammate Jamie Rooney on the Boston roster.
The Wings are 0-1 all time on April 9 losing in 2005 to the Toronto Rock 15-11. On April 10 the Wings are 1-3 all time. The lone win on this date was in the 1994 playoffs over the New York Saints.
Next Game
The Wings will close out the regular season with a visit to the Xcel Energy Center to face the Minnesota Swarm on April 16.
Trivia Answer
Paul Gait scored 10 goals against the original Blazers franchise in a 16-10 Wings victory at Boston Garden.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Big fourth quarter leads Wings to win
By Tom Hoffman
Trailing by four goals entering the final 15 minutes of play and playing without leading scorer Athan Iannucci, out with a finger injury suffered last week in Rochester, Philadelphia Wings fans could have been forgiven for thinking the night would not end well. The Wings had other ideas though and used a six goal outburst to defeat the Toronto Rock 12-11 at Wells Fargo Center. With the Wings victory and the Boston Blazers losing to Rochester Philly now has their playoff destiny in their own control.
The Wings came out playing some good physical lacrosse in what ended up an even opening 15 minutes of play and stayed close until they tied the game at five apiece on a shorthanded score from Drew Westervelt. Just 17 seconds after evening up the game the Rock's Garrett Billings tallied on the power play to break the tie and start a four goal Toronto run to give the Rock a 9-5 halftime lead. Each team scored once in the third and while the Rock seemed to ease up on the throttle, a four goal lead seemed to be a lock.
Once the fourth quarter began the Wings offense came to life and they finally began to solve Toronto backup keeper Pat Campbell, who started tonight after Bob Watson handled the Rock overtime win at home against the Washington Stealth on Friday. Westervelt got the scoring started in the fourth with a pair of goals to complete a hat trick. Brendan Mundorf finished off a hat trick of his own to pull the Wings within one before Max Seibald gave the Wings their first lead since Mundorf's goal to open the game.
The Wings would add goals from Ryan Boyle and Matt Danowski (in his first game as a Wing) and would then get some help from video review as a Toronto goal was reversed due to the Rock's Colin Doyle just slightly having his foot on the crease line. This would serve huge especially after Blaine Manning scored to make it a 12-11 game with 1:25 to play. The Philly defense would stop Toronto on their next possession and successfully kill off the clock and deliver the Wings just their second win at home in the 2011 season.
Boyle's seven point night (1G, 6A) would lead the Wings with Westervelt right behind with six (3G, 3A). The defense, meanwhile, held the Rock's dangerous sophomore duo of Billings and Stephan LeBlanc to a goal each. Brandon Miller, shaky in the second quarter, was very sharp in the second half only allowing a pair of goals and making 31 saves overall.
For the Wings, their playoff season begins Saturday night when they travel to Boston to face a Blazers team that has struggled mightily in their last five games. A win for the Wings would not only pull them even with Boston in the win column but would also give the Wings the all important tiebreaker in the season series. For a team that has struggled themselves for the majority of the season this would be a big boost for a young Wings squad looking to right their ship and find consistency.
Trailing by four goals entering the final 15 minutes of play and playing without leading scorer Athan Iannucci, out with a finger injury suffered last week in Rochester, Philadelphia Wings fans could have been forgiven for thinking the night would not end well. The Wings had other ideas though and used a six goal outburst to defeat the Toronto Rock 12-11 at Wells Fargo Center. With the Wings victory and the Boston Blazers losing to Rochester Philly now has their playoff destiny in their own control.
The Wings came out playing some good physical lacrosse in what ended up an even opening 15 minutes of play and stayed close until they tied the game at five apiece on a shorthanded score from Drew Westervelt. Just 17 seconds after evening up the game the Rock's Garrett Billings tallied on the power play to break the tie and start a four goal Toronto run to give the Rock a 9-5 halftime lead. Each team scored once in the third and while the Rock seemed to ease up on the throttle, a four goal lead seemed to be a lock.
Once the fourth quarter began the Wings offense came to life and they finally began to solve Toronto backup keeper Pat Campbell, who started tonight after Bob Watson handled the Rock overtime win at home against the Washington Stealth on Friday. Westervelt got the scoring started in the fourth with a pair of goals to complete a hat trick. Brendan Mundorf finished off a hat trick of his own to pull the Wings within one before Max Seibald gave the Wings their first lead since Mundorf's goal to open the game.
The Wings would add goals from Ryan Boyle and Matt Danowski (in his first game as a Wing) and would then get some help from video review as a Toronto goal was reversed due to the Rock's Colin Doyle just slightly having his foot on the crease line. This would serve huge especially after Blaine Manning scored to make it a 12-11 game with 1:25 to play. The Philly defense would stop Toronto on their next possession and successfully kill off the clock and deliver the Wings just their second win at home in the 2011 season.
Boyle's seven point night (1G, 6A) would lead the Wings with Westervelt right behind with six (3G, 3A). The defense, meanwhile, held the Rock's dangerous sophomore duo of Billings and Stephan LeBlanc to a goal each. Brandon Miller, shaky in the second quarter, was very sharp in the second half only allowing a pair of goals and making 31 saves overall.
For the Wings, their playoff season begins Saturday night when they travel to Boston to face a Blazers team that has struggled mightily in their last five games. A win for the Wings would not only pull them even with Boston in the win column but would also give the Wings the all important tiebreaker in the season series. For a team that has struggled themselves for the majority of the season this would be a big boost for a young Wings squad looking to right their ship and find consistency.
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