The 27th season of Philadelphia Wings lacrosse will get underway on January 11 when they host the Buffalo Bandits at the Wells Fargo Center. Game time is at 7 PM, the game can be seen live at www.youtube.com/thelacrossenetwork.
History
The Wings are 22-23 all time against the Bandits, 12-10 at home. The Wings took the 2012 season series from Buffalo 2-1. The Wings defeated the Bandits at First Niagara Center 13-10 on January 27 and again on February 12 at the Wells Fargo Center by a 14-13 score. The Bandits avoided the sweep with a 17-7 win in Buffalo on April 7.
Openers
The Wings are 12-14 overall in season openers but have lost their last four and five of the last six. At home, the Wings are 14-12 in openers but just 7-9 in openers at the Wells Fargo Center. This will be the fifth time in their history that the Wings have opened the regular season against the Bandits, having done so in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2009. The Wings have a 1-4 record opening against Buffalo with the lone win coming in 1998 in Buffalo. The Wings have opened three times at home against the Bandits and are 0-3 in those games.
Changes in 2013
Notable additions for 2013 Wings are Kevin Buchanan (acquired from Buffalo, 10G, 19A in 2012), Kevin Ross (acquired from the Minnesota Swarm, 28G, 31A in 2012) and Paul Rabil (acquired from the Rochester Knighthawks, 3G, 5A with Washington in 2012). Other key newcomers include Kyle Hartzell and Kevin Croswell (both picked up from the Washington Stealth), Joel White (acquired from Rochester), and 2012 draft picks Michael Manley (4th round) and C.J. Costabile (5th round). Notable players not back this season are Dan and Paul Dawson (Rochester), David Brock (Buffalo) and Mike Hominuck (Buffalo).
Preseason
The Wings played two preseason scrimmages in December, both games played at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, ON. On December 21 they lost to Buffalo 20-12 (scrimmage was five quarters) and lost the next day to the Rock 12-9.
2012 Leaders (returning
players only)
Goals: Kevin Crowley and Drew
Westervelt – 36Assists: Brendan Mundorf – 40
Points: Kevin Crowley – 71
Goals Against: Brandon Miller – 12.64
On this date
The Wings are 2-1 on January 11 with all games played against the original New England/Boston Blazers. In 1991 the Wings defeated the New England Blazers 11-10 at the Spectrum while, in 1992 the Blazers defeated the Wings 12-11 at the Spectrum. In 1997 the Wings won 12-11 at Boston’s Fleet Center (now TD Garden).
Next Game
The Wings will return to action on January 19 when they travel to Toronto to face the Rock at the Air Canada Centre.
