Wings Lacrosse 2013 (1-19-13 at Toronto)

by Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (1-0) will take to the road for the first time during the 2013 season when they travel to Toronto to face off against the Rock (2-0) on January 19. Game time at the Air Canada Centre is at 7 PM and the game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet, ESPN3 and at www.youtube.com/thelacrossenetwork.


History

The Wings are 12-22 all time against the Rock. The Wings took the 2012 season series from Toronto 2-1. The Rock won the first meeting 15-6 on February 4 at the Wells Fargo Center. The Wings would take the next two games in Toronto defeating the Rock 14-8 on February 18 and 12-10 on March 9. All time the Wings are 5-11 on the road in regular season play against the Rock (1-0 at Copps Coliseum, 0-1 at Maple Leaf Gardens and 4-10 at the Air Canada Centre).

Last Weekend

The Wings won their season opener 13-8 over the Buffalo Bandits last Friday at the Wells Fargo Center. Kevin Crowley scored four goals while newcomers Kevin Buchanan (3G, 3A) and Jordan Hall (1G, 6A) also contributed. Brandon Miller made 43 saves to help the Wings cause. Toronto went 2-0 over the weekend during an All-Alberta road swing. Saturday night they defeated the Calgary Roughnecks 13-11 before heading to Edmonton on Sunday where they beat the Rush 10-9. Nick Rose started both games in goal and made 89 saves (45 on Saturday, 44 on Sunday) while Colin Doyle notched 10 assists.

Trivia

The first meeting between the franchises occurred on February 28, 1998 at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. The Wings won the game 12-11 in overtime. Who scored the OT winner for the Wings and what was significant about this game?

On this date

The Wings are 0-1 on January 19 having lost to the New York Saints 19-13 at Nassau Coliseum in 1991.

Road tripping

The Wings have been successful in their first game on the road the last two seasons, defeating the Colorado Mammoth 11-10 on January 22, 2011 and beating the Buffalo Bandits 13-10 on January 27, 2012. The Wings 4-4 road record last season was their best since finishing with the same record in 2004. Their last winning season away from Philadelphia was in 2001 when they went 4-3.

Answer

Jake Bergey scored the overtime winner for the Wings in what was the team’s first game outside of the U.S..

Next Game

The Wings will return to action on January 26 when they travel to for an opening night rematch against the Bandits at First Niagara Center.

PPL Park to host MLL Championship Weekend

By Tom Hoffman

PPL Park is becoming the place to see collegiate lacrosse after hosting the 2nd day of the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2012 and getting ready to host the Whitman's Sampler Independence Classic for Inside Lacrosse on March 9.  On August 24 and 25, the home of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union will show off the best of professional outdoor lacrosse when Major League Lacrosse brings its championship weekend to the Philadelphia area for the first time since Villanova hosted it in 2003.

Semifinals will take place on August 24 with the Championship game going off the next day.  Tickets are now on sale through the PPL Park Events listing on PhiladelphiaUnion.com (select tickets and buy tickets now), by calling 1-800-298-4200 or going to the PPL Park box office.

Wings flatten Bandits in season opener

By Tom Hoffman

After the Philadelphia Wings announced their roster for the 2013 season following the trade of Dan and Paul Dawson to the Rochester Knighthawks, many fans weren’t feeling very good about the team’s chances and were likely flashing back to the beginning of the movie Major League.  But many of those fans were likely part of the 9,096 who made the trek to the Wells Fargo Center for Friday’s season opener.  And what the Wings fan base saw in a 13-8 defeat of the Buffalo Bandits was hopefully a good look at a team that will try to surprise the many naysayers that have gathered.

“I guess we didn’t do bad for not knowing what we’re doing,” said Wings Coach Johnny Mouradian referring to the thoughts of those thinking a team of American born players will have trouble winning in a Canadian dominated National Lacrosse League.

With a lineup featuring several newcomers, it was two of the new faces who got the Wings off to a 2-0 lead.  The Wings first goal of 2013 was scored by Ethan Farrell, who last fall was a member of the Charlotte Copperheads of the Professional Lacrosse League (PLL).  Soon after, former Bandit Kevin Buchanan netted the first of his three goals on the evening.  Buffalo would tie the game at two with former Wing David Brock opening the Bandits scoring but the Wings would regain the lead and not let go thanks to a powerplay that took advantage four consecutive goals, two coming on one of four five minute majors that were called in the game (two on each team).  Buchanan, who assisted on two of the extra man tallies, felt the Wings man up play was a big part of the win.

“Our powerplay was very good tonight,” said Buchanan.  “Anytime you can go on the powerplay, these are times you have to capitalize.”

After Kevin Crowley put the Wings up 8-3 9:59 into the second quarter, Bandits Coach Darris Kilgour gave goalie Anthony Cosmo the rest of the night off and brought in former Wings backup Kurtis Wagar.   This may have been a move to wake up his slumbering team but also may have been done looking ahead to their game in 24 hours at home vs. the Minnesota Swarm. 

The Wings second half looked just as solid as the first 30 minutes and even when the Bandits got within three with 4:45 to play there was no panic on the Philly side.  Buchanan clinched his hat trick just 66 seconds later and Kyle Hartzell added the finishing touch with an empty net goal.  And while the defense and transition both played well, it was the play of Brandon Miller that had Mouradian raving.

 “He was spectacular all night,” Mouradian said of his goaltender.  “We thought he did a marvelous job of getting the rebounds, keeping the rebounds in the crease area and getting the ball up.  He started the transition a lot for us.”

Also in good form during the opener was the home crowd, something that was not lost on the players.

“When they get on their feet, you can feel it on the bench,” said Crowley of the Wings faithful.

Crowley had four goals to lead the Wings goal scorers while another newcomer, Jordan Hall, led overall with seven points on a goal and six assists.  Quiet was the big acquisition in the Rochester deal, Paul Rabil, who was held to a pair of assists.  Miller made 43 saves in net to earn the win.  The Wings will now prepare for their road opener next weekend in Toronto.  

One on One

By Kevin Neibauer

Coaches, players, fans and officials from the Philadelphia Box Lacrosse Association (PBLA) all have been razzed, heckled or just teased by a member of the Grim Reapers.  Bill Kennedy, also known as "Nitti". Is a good natured guy who just seems to have fun at the Rink and life in general.  "Nitti" received the moniker years ago from a longtime friend. Born and raised in South Philly, Kennedy now resides in New Jersey with his family.

I recently caught up with Nitti and got some insight on the colorful Kennedy.

KMN- What is your lacrosse background?

BK- "I’ve played 12 years in the PBLA. Never played any high school ball."

KMN- When did you get involved in the PBLA?

BK- “My career started in 1988 with the Grim Reapers. I then moved on to coaching when I started my own team, that was 1997 into 2000. If not for Frank Menschner, I probably would not have been involved in the PBLA all these years."

KMN- You had retired, what brought you back?

BK-"Actually it was a combination of two things. First, my son, Owen expressed interest in Lacrosse and when he found out that I had played, his face just lit up. That kind of started the ball rolling. Second, the PBLA had an Old Timers game that was held at The Great American Showplace, Rizzo Rink. Frank Menschner and Bob Stewart put the event together on July 16, 2010. The game showcased the past and the present players; it was a great time for all. Frank approached me about playing in 2011. With a big smile on my face, I jumped at the chance!"

KMN- How much longer do you see yourself playing?

BK- "That’s a really good question. As long as my health is good and barring any injuries, I can see myself playing another four or five years."

KMN- Do you see coaching in your future?

BK- "Definitely, I already have coaching experience in the league with the Renegades so it would be an easy transition."

KMN – Do you have any family involved in Lacrosse?

BK- "My son, Owen comes down to Rizzo during preseason and regular season and throws the ball around with me before the games. I start him off with basic throwing and passing to kind of get the eye to stick coordination down. Nothing too fancy yet."

Wings Lacrosse 2013 (1-11-13 vs. Buffalo)

By Tom Hoffman

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 – 36
Assists: 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.