by Tom Hoffman
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Philadelphia Wings (7-7) will look to put an end to their current three game losing skid when they travel to the Xcel Energy Center to face the Minnesota Swarm (7-7) on Saturday night. Game time is at 8 PM and the game can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 7-9 all time in regular season play against the Swarm, 3-5 on the road. In their previous meeting this season, the Wings were defeated at the Wells Fargo Center 13-9 on April 6. The Wings last win at Xcel was on April 17, 2012 (13-12 in OT). Since that game the Wings have lost two straight to the Swarm.
Last Game
The Wings suffered a 17-7 rout at the hands of the Buffalo Bandits on April 7 concluding a weekend of back to back games. Brodie Merrill (three goals), Max Seibald and Drew Westervelt (two goals each) made up the offense for the Wings.
The Opponent
Minnesota defeated the Washington Stealth last Saturday by a score of 14-9 at Xcel Energy Center. The victory clinched a spot in the 2012 NLL Playoffs for the Swarm. Callum Crawford tallied four goals and three assists while Ryan Benesch returned to the Swarm lineup after missing three games due to a concussion.
Playoff Scenario
The Wings can clinch the East Division with two wins OR one win AND one Toronto loss AND one Rochester loss. They can also clinch a home game with a win Saturday and a Rochester loss.
Milestones within reach
Dan Dawson needs seven points to set a Wings record for points in a season. Athan Iannucci set the current record with 100 points in 2008.
Career highs in points can be set by Brendan Mundorf (with two points) and Mike Hominuck (with six points).
Career highs in goals can be set by Drew Westervelt (with one goal) and Brodie Merrill (with two goals).
On this date
This will be the first time the Wings have played on April 21.
Next Game
The Wings will conclude the 2012 regular season when they face the Rochester Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena on April 28.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Home remains not so sweet for Wings following loss to Swarm
by Tom Hoffman
Going into Friday night's game with the Minnesota Swarm, the Philadelphia Wings knew what needed to be done to secure the franchise's first home playoff game since 2002. Two wins this weekend coupled with a Rochester loss in Calgary would have assured at least one home game for the Wings, who will be in the National Lacrosse League playoffs for the first time since 2008. After their 13-9 loss to the Swarm, some may wonder if they actually want to see the Wings play at home in the postseason.
The Wings, who had the previous weekend off, did look to be rusty in what was a low scoring first half that would end up tied at 4. The teams would trade goals in a more spirited third quarter, entering the final stanza even at seven. But much like their loss on March 3 at home against Rochester, the fourth quarter was their achilles heel. Minnesota scored twice to take a 9-7 lead with just over six minutes to play but Drew Westervelt would pull the Wings even again with 4:30 left in regulation. But the Wings could not overcome the duo of Corbyn Tao and Tyler Hass as they each scored twice in the game's latter moments to give the Swarm not only a much needed victory, but an end to their four game losing streak as well. To Wings coach Johnny Mouradian, this was definitely a lost chance to put some space between themselves and the rest of the East Division.
"With a back to back weekend home and away, it would've been nice to win the one at home," Mouradian said. "We know it's gonna be a battle in Buffalo, they're sitting there ready for us."
While the Wings head to Buffalo with a 4-1 record away from the Wells Fargo Center, Mouradian wonders why the Wings continue to struggle at home where they finished the regular season at 3-5 and have been below .500 for a third straight season.
"I don't think there's any rhyme or reason why were losing at home," Mouradian said.
The best the Wings can do now is put this game in the rearview mirror and look to rebound against a reeling Bandits squad before another week off prior to finishing the regular season on the road against the Swarm and Knighthawks.
Going into Friday night's game with the Minnesota Swarm, the Philadelphia Wings knew what needed to be done to secure the franchise's first home playoff game since 2002. Two wins this weekend coupled with a Rochester loss in Calgary would have assured at least one home game for the Wings, who will be in the National Lacrosse League playoffs for the first time since 2008. After their 13-9 loss to the Swarm, some may wonder if they actually want to see the Wings play at home in the postseason.
The Wings, who had the previous weekend off, did look to be rusty in what was a low scoring first half that would end up tied at 4. The teams would trade goals in a more spirited third quarter, entering the final stanza even at seven. But much like their loss on March 3 at home against Rochester, the fourth quarter was their achilles heel. Minnesota scored twice to take a 9-7 lead with just over six minutes to play but Drew Westervelt would pull the Wings even again with 4:30 left in regulation. But the Wings could not overcome the duo of Corbyn Tao and Tyler Hass as they each scored twice in the game's latter moments to give the Swarm not only a much needed victory, but an end to their four game losing streak as well. To Wings coach Johnny Mouradian, this was definitely a lost chance to put some space between themselves and the rest of the East Division.
"With a back to back weekend home and away, it would've been nice to win the one at home," Mouradian said. "We know it's gonna be a battle in Buffalo, they're sitting there ready for us."
While the Wings head to Buffalo with a 4-1 record away from the Wells Fargo Center, Mouradian wonders why the Wings continue to struggle at home where they finished the regular season at 3-5 and have been below .500 for a third straight season.
"I don't think there's any rhyme or reason why were losing at home," Mouradian said.
The best the Wings can do now is put this game in the rearview mirror and look to rebound against a reeling Bandits squad before another week off prior to finishing the regular season on the road against the Swarm and Knighthawks.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
2012 Wings Lacrosse (4-6-12 vs. Minnesota, 4-7-12 at Buffalo)
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
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
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.
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