by Tom Hoffman
With a spot in the National Lacrosse league’s 2012 postseason already set, the Philadelphia Wings (7-5) will look to clinch a home playoff game this weekend, and possibly the NLL’s East Division title, when they host the Minnesota Swarm (5-7) Friday at the Wells Fargo Center before heading to Buffalo’s First Niagara Center to meet the Bandits (4-8) on Saturday night. Friday’s game starts at 7 PM and can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com and on the Comcast Network while Saturday’s match will be shown on the CBS Sports Network.
History
The Wings are 7-8 all time in regular season play against the Swarm, 4-3 at home. In 2011 the Wings lost their only meeting of the season with the Swarm 11-9 on April 16 at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wings are 22-22 in regular season play against Buffalo and are 10-12 in Buffalo (9-8 at First Niagara Center). The Wings are 2-0 in 2012 against Buffalo winning 13-10 on January 27 in Buffalo and 14-13 February 12 in Philadelphia.
Last Weekend
The Wings split a weekend set with the Colorado Mammoth with each team taking a win on the road. The Wings defeated Colorado on March 23 in Denver 13-12 on Brendan Mundorf’s goal with 3.7 seconds to play in regulation. The Mammoth needed overtime two days later in Philadelphia to escape with a 16-15 win. Adam Jones scored 9:38 into the extra session to give Colorado the win.
The Opponents
Minnesota has lost its last four games, including a pair last weekend. Last Friday the Swarm lost at home 15-10 to the Calgary Roughnecks then traveled to Edmonton on Saturday losing 9-8 in overtime to the Rush. Buffalo lost last Saturday at home 15-9 to the Toronto Rock and have lost their last two games overall.
Playoff scenarios
Per NLL.com, the Wings can clinch a home playoff game with wins in both games this weekend and a Rochester loss at Calgary on Friday night and can clinch the East Division title with the above scenario and a loss by Toronto on Saturday.
A familiar face
Wings F Mike Hominuck has played previously for both of this weekend’s opponents. Hominuck played for the Bandits in 2004 and 2005 while he suited up for the Swarm in 2007 and 2008.
Milestones within reach
Dan Dawson needs seven assists to set a new NLL record for assists in a season. He and Josh Sanderson set the current record of 74 assists in 2009.
Brendan Mundorf can set career highs with six goals (28 in 2009), three assists (34 in 2011) and five points (59 in 2009).
Drew Westervelt needs five goals to set a new season best (34 in 2009).
On this date
The Wings are 2-0 on April 6. In 1996 the Wings defeated the Boston Blazers 10-8 in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League playoffs and in 2008 defeated the Toronto Rock 11-9. On April 7 the Wings are 4-0. In 1989 the Wings won their first MILL title on this date defeating the New York Saints 11-10. In 1990 they defeated the Saints again, this time in a semi-final game 11-10. In 2001 the Wings defeated the Columbus Landsharks 17-7 and in 2007 defeated the New York Titans 20-8.
Next Game
After another week off, the Wings will travel to St. Paul, MN to meet the Swarm on April 21
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Overtime loss gives Wings split of weekend series with Mammoth
by Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings split a wild weekend with the Colorado Mammoth when Adam Jones scored 9:38 into overtime to give the Mammoth a 16-15 victory at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday. This coming after the Wings scored late in regulation Friday night to take a 13-12 decision at Denver's Pepsi Center.
The teams played a close first quarter with Colorado leading after 15 minutes by a 3-2 score. The second and third stanzas saw many power play goals scored between the two teams as the officials called just about any and everything they saw fit to call. The Mammoth took advantage of several Wings penalties, most notably a double minor to Taylor Wray and a five minute high sticking major to Steve Holmes to notch six man up goals and take a 13-7 lead just 2:03 into the 3rd quarter. Instead of folding up their tent however, the Wings got themselves back into the game via the power play route as they would cash in with six extra man goals of their own to tie the match at 13 just 24 seconds into the fourth quarter.
John Grant Jr. would give Colorado a 14-13 lead before Kevin Crowley scored his only two goals of the game to give the Wings just their second lead of the night with 1:57 left in regulation. Just a minute later though, the Wings Brodie Merrill was whistled for what appeared to be a very questionable cross checking call to give the Mammoth a chance to tie the game and force overtime, which Grant would do with his third goal of the night with only 44 seconds left to play. During the overtime the whistles would be given a rest as the teams went end to end until Jones's fourth goal of the game would send the Wings and their faithful fans home on the wrong end of the score.
While Wings coach Johnny Mouradian noted that the run of penalties both hurt and helped his team, he was more impressed with the Wings comeback to make a pending rout a game and impressed with the growing confidence he sees in his team.
"Confidence is very interesting," Mouradian said. "If you have confidence, it's having the ability to do what needs to get done on the floor and the feeling to do what needs to get done on the floor. The other part of confidence is being able to do it. We've got both legs of confidence right now. We're doing it, we believe we can do it and that's a different level of thinking when guys know they can do it and they actually go out and do it."
The Wings were led in the goal scoring column by Mike Hominuck with four goals and Drew Westervelt adding three of his own. Dan Dawson continued his quest for the league assist record with seven more helpers to give him 68 on the season (league record is 74 set by Dawson and Josh Sanderson in 2009). Brandon Miller made 39 saves in goal. Afterwards Mouradian had more praise for his improving squad.
"At the end of the day Brandon Miller gave us a opportunity to win and everybody on our team gave us a chance to win," Mouradian said.
The Wings get the next weekend off before coming back to another weekend of back to back games beginning with a Good Friday tilt at home with the Minnesota Swarm. By then the Wings could actually be one of the teams in the 2012 National Lacrosse League postseason.
The Philadelphia Wings split a wild weekend with the Colorado Mammoth when Adam Jones scored 9:38 into overtime to give the Mammoth a 16-15 victory at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday. This coming after the Wings scored late in regulation Friday night to take a 13-12 decision at Denver's Pepsi Center.
The teams played a close first quarter with Colorado leading after 15 minutes by a 3-2 score. The second and third stanzas saw many power play goals scored between the two teams as the officials called just about any and everything they saw fit to call. The Mammoth took advantage of several Wings penalties, most notably a double minor to Taylor Wray and a five minute high sticking major to Steve Holmes to notch six man up goals and take a 13-7 lead just 2:03 into the 3rd quarter. Instead of folding up their tent however, the Wings got themselves back into the game via the power play route as they would cash in with six extra man goals of their own to tie the match at 13 just 24 seconds into the fourth quarter.
John Grant Jr. would give Colorado a 14-13 lead before Kevin Crowley scored his only two goals of the game to give the Wings just their second lead of the night with 1:57 left in regulation. Just a minute later though, the Wings Brodie Merrill was whistled for what appeared to be a very questionable cross checking call to give the Mammoth a chance to tie the game and force overtime, which Grant would do with his third goal of the night with only 44 seconds left to play. During the overtime the whistles would be given a rest as the teams went end to end until Jones's fourth goal of the game would send the Wings and their faithful fans home on the wrong end of the score.
While Wings coach Johnny Mouradian noted that the run of penalties both hurt and helped his team, he was more impressed with the Wings comeback to make a pending rout a game and impressed with the growing confidence he sees in his team.
"Confidence is very interesting," Mouradian said. "If you have confidence, it's having the ability to do what needs to get done on the floor and the feeling to do what needs to get done on the floor. The other part of confidence is being able to do it. We've got both legs of confidence right now. We're doing it, we believe we can do it and that's a different level of thinking when guys know they can do it and they actually go out and do it."
The Wings were led in the goal scoring column by Mike Hominuck with four goals and Drew Westervelt adding three of his own. Dan Dawson continued his quest for the league assist record with seven more helpers to give him 68 on the season (league record is 74 set by Dawson and Josh Sanderson in 2009). Brandon Miller made 39 saves in goal. Afterwards Mouradian had more praise for his improving squad.
"At the end of the day Brandon Miller gave us a opportunity to win and everybody on our team gave us a chance to win," Mouradian said.
The Wings get the next weekend off before coming back to another weekend of back to back games beginning with a Good Friday tilt at home with the Minnesota Swarm. By then the Wings could actually be one of the teams in the 2012 National Lacrosse League postseason.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
2012 Wings Lacrosse (3-23-12 at Colorado, 3-25-12 vs. Colorado)
by Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (6-4) could possibly clinch a spot in the 2012 National Lacrosse League postseason this weekend when they face the Colorado Mammoth (8-2) in a weekend home and home series. Friday the teams will meet at 9 PM at Denver’s Pepsi Center with the second game taking place Sunday at 4 PM at the Wells Fargo Center. Both games can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com while Friday’s game will be broadcast live on the Comcast Network.
History
The Wings are 29-13 against the Colorado franchise including their previous seasons in Baltimore (1987-1999), Pittsburgh (2000) and Washington (2001-2002). Since the team’s move to Denver the Wings are 7-3 overall and 3-2 at the Pepsi Center having won their last three visits to the Mile High City. In 2011 the Wings swept the season series from the Mammoth. On January 22 the Wings won in Denver 11-10 with Paul Dawson scoring with 90 seconds to play in regulation to seal the win. On January 29 in Philadelphia the Wings held on to defeat the Mammoth 12-11 with Drew Westervelt scoring the game winner to complete a hat trick. Brandon Miller was in goal for both wins.
Last Game
Brendan Mundorf scored twice during a five on three power play late in the fourth quarter as the Wings held off the Edmonton Rush 16-15 last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center. Dan Dawson added two goals and 10 assists while Mike Hominuck contributed three goals and nine assists. Kevin Crowley also tallied four goals for the Wings.
The Opponent
The Mammoth last played on March 11 losing 11-8 to the Washington Stealth. Colorado has been led this season by John Grant Jr. with 31 goals and 37 assists. Gavin Prout also has 37 helpers while Chris Levis sports an 11.67 GAA.
Notes
Two current members of the Wings have played for Colorado: John McFadyen (2010) and Ned Crotty (2011).
The Wings picked up D Chris Schiller on March 18 as a free agent after Schiller was released by the Rochester Knighthawks on March 10. Schiller was a member of the Wings practice squad in 2001.
Dan Dawson needs two assists to set a Wings single season record (Dan Marohl had 57 in 2005).
With last week’s win the Wings have surpassed the win total from both 2010 and 2011 (5).
On This Date
The Wings are 3-0 on March 23 (defeated the Baltimore Thunder 221-16 in 1991, the Buffalo Bandits 14-12 in 1996 and the Toronto Rock 12-11 in 2002). On March 25 the Wings are 1-2 (defeated Buffalo 19-16 in 1995, lost to Toronto 15-13 in 2000 and lost to the Arizona Sting 13-12 in 2006).
Next game
The Wings play their last regular season home game in 2012 when they host the Minnesota Swarm on April 6.
The Philadelphia Wings (6-4) could possibly clinch a spot in the 2012 National Lacrosse League postseason this weekend when they face the Colorado Mammoth (8-2) in a weekend home and home series. Friday the teams will meet at 9 PM at Denver’s Pepsi Center with the second game taking place Sunday at 4 PM at the Wells Fargo Center. Both games can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com while Friday’s game will be broadcast live on the Comcast Network.
History
The Wings are 29-13 against the Colorado franchise including their previous seasons in Baltimore (1987-1999), Pittsburgh (2000) and Washington (2001-2002). Since the team’s move to Denver the Wings are 7-3 overall and 3-2 at the Pepsi Center having won their last three visits to the Mile High City. In 2011 the Wings swept the season series from the Mammoth. On January 22 the Wings won in Denver 11-10 with Paul Dawson scoring with 90 seconds to play in regulation to seal the win. On January 29 in Philadelphia the Wings held on to defeat the Mammoth 12-11 with Drew Westervelt scoring the game winner to complete a hat trick. Brandon Miller was in goal for both wins.
Last Game
Brendan Mundorf scored twice during a five on three power play late in the fourth quarter as the Wings held off the Edmonton Rush 16-15 last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center. Dan Dawson added two goals and 10 assists while Mike Hominuck contributed three goals and nine assists. Kevin Crowley also tallied four goals for the Wings.
The Opponent
The Mammoth last played on March 11 losing 11-8 to the Washington Stealth. Colorado has been led this season by John Grant Jr. with 31 goals and 37 assists. Gavin Prout also has 37 helpers while Chris Levis sports an 11.67 GAA.
Notes
Two current members of the Wings have played for Colorado: John McFadyen (2010) and Ned Crotty (2011).
The Wings picked up D Chris Schiller on March 18 as a free agent after Schiller was released by the Rochester Knighthawks on March 10. Schiller was a member of the Wings practice squad in 2001.
Dan Dawson needs two assists to set a Wings single season record (Dan Marohl had 57 in 2005).
With last week’s win the Wings have surpassed the win total from both 2010 and 2011 (5).
On This Date
The Wings are 3-0 on March 23 (defeated the Baltimore Thunder 221-16 in 1991, the Buffalo Bandits 14-12 in 1996 and the Toronto Rock 12-11 in 2002). On March 25 the Wings are 1-2 (defeated Buffalo 19-16 in 1995, lost to Toronto 15-13 in 2000 and lost to the Arizona Sting 13-12 in 2006).
Next game
The Wings play their last regular season home game in 2012 when they host the Minnesota Swarm on April 6.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Wings improve in standings with win over Rush
by Tom Hoffman
For the second time this season the Philadelphia Wings followed up a big win in Toronto against the Rock with a matchup against the Edmonton Rush. And for a while it was starting to look like another disappointing loss that would tighten up the National Lacrosse League's Eastern Division standings. But the Wings would take advantage of killing off an Edmonton fourth quarter five on three while scoring twice on their own five on three to finally slay the Rush 16-15 Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Wings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals from Dan Dawson and Kevin Crowley and led 3-1 after a Mike Hominuck goal. Edmonton would then score five of the next six goals to lead 6-4 through the opening 15 minutes. Dawson and Crowley would tie the game at six before a three goal run gave the Rush a 9-6 lead. The Wings trailed at half 9-7 though their final goal of the first half, which was Crowley's third of the night, would start a seven goal run for Philadelphia and give them a 13-9 lead 7:05 into the third. During this run Edmonton coach Derek Keenan would pull starting goalie Aaron Bold for former Wings draft pick Brodie MacDonald and then re-insert Bold following a pair of Philly scores on MacDonald. Once Bold came back into the game the Rush countered with a four goal run to tie the game at 13 and were poised to add to that at the start of the fourth as they went on a two minute five on three power play after both Drew Westervelt and Brett Manney were called for penalties to end the third.
This is where Brandon Miller, who struggled most of the night in the Wings net, came up big and kept the Rush off the board for the full two minutes. Edmonton's Shawn Williams, who became the NLL's Ironman by playing in his 189th consecutive game, would give the Rush the lead back 30 seconds after the power play ended. After Brendan Mundorf tied the game at 14, former Wing Ryan Ward scored a shorthanded goal that would give the Rush their final lead of the night. With 3:11 left in regulation though, the Rush would be called for a pair of penalties that would give the Wings their own five on three power play. The Wings would convert here thanks to two more Mundorf scores and seal the victory.
While it would be yet another big point night for Dan Dawson (2G, 10A including his 500th NLL assist) it was also another big night for Mike Hominuck who added three goals and nine assists after coming up big last week in Toronto. For Hominuck, the last two games have been a result of a simple change with his stick.
"The beginning of the season I opened up with a mesh stick," Hominuck said. "Growing up I played with a leather stick. I decided to go with a mesh stick and I didn't feel that same confidence as I normally did. I went back to my roots and went back to something I was a little more comfortable with. I don't know if it's luck or coincidence or actual confidence in having a leather stick but the first game in Toronto I ended up scoring two goals and tonight another three. I'm back to having confidence and being comfortable with my stick."
That confidence, along with a two game win streak, will get a huge test next weekend when the Wings play a home and home with the league leading Colorado Mammoth starting Friday night in Denver. Not only can the Wings tighten their grip on first place in the East but they could put themselves in a position to let the rest of the NLL know they're not the pushovers they have been in recent seasons.
For the second time this season the Philadelphia Wings followed up a big win in Toronto against the Rock with a matchup against the Edmonton Rush. And for a while it was starting to look like another disappointing loss that would tighten up the National Lacrosse League's Eastern Division standings. But the Wings would take advantage of killing off an Edmonton fourth quarter five on three while scoring twice on their own five on three to finally slay the Rush 16-15 Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Wings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals from Dan Dawson and Kevin Crowley and led 3-1 after a Mike Hominuck goal. Edmonton would then score five of the next six goals to lead 6-4 through the opening 15 minutes. Dawson and Crowley would tie the game at six before a three goal run gave the Rush a 9-6 lead. The Wings trailed at half 9-7 though their final goal of the first half, which was Crowley's third of the night, would start a seven goal run for Philadelphia and give them a 13-9 lead 7:05 into the third. During this run Edmonton coach Derek Keenan would pull starting goalie Aaron Bold for former Wings draft pick Brodie MacDonald and then re-insert Bold following a pair of Philly scores on MacDonald. Once Bold came back into the game the Rush countered with a four goal run to tie the game at 13 and were poised to add to that at the start of the fourth as they went on a two minute five on three power play after both Drew Westervelt and Brett Manney were called for penalties to end the third.
This is where Brandon Miller, who struggled most of the night in the Wings net, came up big and kept the Rush off the board for the full two minutes. Edmonton's Shawn Williams, who became the NLL's Ironman by playing in his 189th consecutive game, would give the Rush the lead back 30 seconds after the power play ended. After Brendan Mundorf tied the game at 14, former Wing Ryan Ward scored a shorthanded goal that would give the Rush their final lead of the night. With 3:11 left in regulation though, the Rush would be called for a pair of penalties that would give the Wings their own five on three power play. The Wings would convert here thanks to two more Mundorf scores and seal the victory.
While it would be yet another big point night for Dan Dawson (2G, 10A including his 500th NLL assist) it was also another big night for Mike Hominuck who added three goals and nine assists after coming up big last week in Toronto. For Hominuck, the last two games have been a result of a simple change with his stick.
"The beginning of the season I opened up with a mesh stick," Hominuck said. "Growing up I played with a leather stick. I decided to go with a mesh stick and I didn't feel that same confidence as I normally did. I went back to my roots and went back to something I was a little more comfortable with. I don't know if it's luck or coincidence or actual confidence in having a leather stick but the first game in Toronto I ended up scoring two goals and tonight another three. I'm back to having confidence and being comfortable with my stick."
That confidence, along with a two game win streak, will get a huge test next weekend when the Wings play a home and home with the league leading Colorado Mammoth starting Friday night in Denver. Not only can the Wings tighten their grip on first place in the East but they could put themselves in a position to let the rest of the NLL know they're not the pushovers they have been in recent seasons.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
2012 Wings Lacrosse (3-17-12 vs. Edmonton)
by Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (4-4) will look to keep their hold on first place in the National Lacrosse League’s Eastern Division when they host the Edmonton Rush (2-6) Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Game time is at 7 PM and can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com and on the Comcast Network. The game will also be broadcast on Z88.9 (Burlington County College) and online at www.z889.org.
History
The Wings are 1-2 all time against the Rush including a 12-10 loss in Edmonton on February 24. This will be the first appearance in Philadelphia for the Rush.
Last Game
The Wings outscored the Toronto Rock 7-5 in the second half enroute to a 12-10 victory last Friday at the Air Canada Centre. Dan Dawson had three goals and three assists while Mike Hominuck added two goals and two assists. Brandon Miller was sharp in net making 40 saves to give the Wings the tiebreaker in the season series with the Rock.
The Opponent
Edmonton was swept last weekend in a home and home with their provincial rivals, the Calgary Roughnecks. The Rush lost Friday at home 13-10 and fell at Calgary 16-9 on Saturday.
He’s Dangerous
Dan Dawson needs 12 assists to become the Wings single season assist leader (Dan Marohl had 57 helpers in 2005). Dawson is also on pace to break the Wings single season point record as well (100 by Athan Iannucci in 2008). With five more points Dawson will surpass last season’s team leading total of 61 by Iannucci,
Notes
With seven games remaining, the Wings already own two tiebreakers within the East Division (Buffalo, Toronto) and have four wins in the East. Last season the Wings only won three divisional games (at Boston, at Buffalo, vs. Toronto).
On this date
The Wings are 1-1 in games played on March 17. The Wings were defeated by the Baltimore Thunder 17-14 at the Spectrum in 1991. In 2001 they defeated the New York Saints 14-10 at the First Union Center.
Next Game
The Wings travel to Denver on March 23 to open a home and home weekend series with the Colorado Mammoth, with the return match taking place on March 25 in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Wings (4-4) will look to keep their hold on first place in the National Lacrosse League’s Eastern Division when they host the Edmonton Rush (2-6) Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Game time is at 7 PM and can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com and on the Comcast Network. The game will also be broadcast on Z88.9 (Burlington County College) and online at www.z889.org.
History
The Wings are 1-2 all time against the Rush including a 12-10 loss in Edmonton on February 24. This will be the first appearance in Philadelphia for the Rush.
Last Game
The Wings outscored the Toronto Rock 7-5 in the second half enroute to a 12-10 victory last Friday at the Air Canada Centre. Dan Dawson had three goals and three assists while Mike Hominuck added two goals and two assists. Brandon Miller was sharp in net making 40 saves to give the Wings the tiebreaker in the season series with the Rock.
The Opponent
Edmonton was swept last weekend in a home and home with their provincial rivals, the Calgary Roughnecks. The Rush lost Friday at home 13-10 and fell at Calgary 16-9 on Saturday.
He’s Dangerous
Dan Dawson needs 12 assists to become the Wings single season assist leader (Dan Marohl had 57 helpers in 2005). Dawson is also on pace to break the Wings single season point record as well (100 by Athan Iannucci in 2008). With five more points Dawson will surpass last season’s team leading total of 61 by Iannucci,
Notes
With seven games remaining, the Wings already own two tiebreakers within the East Division (Buffalo, Toronto) and have four wins in the East. Last season the Wings only won three divisional games (at Boston, at Buffalo, vs. Toronto).
On this date
The Wings are 1-1 in games played on March 17. The Wings were defeated by the Baltimore Thunder 17-14 at the Spectrum in 1991. In 2001 they defeated the New York Saints 14-10 at the First Union Center.
Next Game
The Wings travel to Denver on March 23 to open a home and home weekend series with the Colorado Mammoth, with the return match taking place on March 25 in Philadelphia.
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