By Tom Hoffman
After three seasons of play in Bridgeport, Philadelphia lacrosse fans had no reason to be excited about seeing the Barrage when the team was relocated in 2004. After all, this was a team that managed to win only seven games during their time in Connecticut and lost their first three games here. My, how things have changed. After last night's 22-7 demolition of the Washington Bayhawks at United Sports Training Center, the Barrage earned their second consecutive Eastern Conference title along with the top seed in the 2007 NB Zip Championship Weekend beginning August 25 in Rochester. The goal now is to become the first team in MLL history to win back to back titles and to become the league's first three time champion. Definitely a long way from the constant losing in Bridgeport.
Last night's game was in Philadelphia's control from the start. The Barrage jumped out to a 5-0 lead by the midway point of the first quarter and would lead 9-2 after the stanza. Barrage coach Tony Resch then gave starting goalie Brian Dougherty the rest of the evening off and gave backup Kevin Keenan some quality time in net. The offense continued to flow for the team in orange as the Barrage led 12-3 at half and 17-5 after three before finishing the night with a 22-7 score, making for a good night for the team and the 2,648 in attendance on a gorgeous August evening. Not to be left out was the continued stellar play of the Philly defense and a dominating night at the faceoff "X" by the Barrage's Andy Corno, who won 19 of 29 draws and scored a goal as well.
Roy Colsey earned Bud Light MVP honors with a five goal, one assist night. Mike Springer (4G, 3A) and Ryan Boyle (3G, 4A) each had seven points while Matt Striebel had a four point game (3G, 1A). Jed Prossner added a hat trick, Seth Goldberg tallied three points (2G, 1A) and Justin Smith added a goal and assist to the Barrage's largest goal total of the 2007 season. Kevin Keenan made 14 saves in his three quarters of work, his longest playing time of the season.
Now, the focus is on the playoffs and, more importantly, their semi final opponents, the Denver Outlaws as the Barrage look to become the MLL's first real dynasty team. Something that would have been unthinkable after the move from Bridgeport.
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Sunday, August 12, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Game Preview - Barrage vs Bayhawks 8-11-07
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Barrage (8-3) are in the playoffs but still find the final game of the season against the Washington Bayhawks (5-6) to have meaning for them. A victory in Saturday's game will give the defending MLL Champions the #1 seed in the Championship Weekend in Rochester on August 25. Saturday's game at USTC will face off at 7 PM.
Last Game
The Barrage won their third straight game against the Bayhawks with a 21-11 win at Georgetown University on Saturday. Matt Striebel earned MLL Offensive Player of the Week honors with a four goal, one assist game. Roy Colsey, Jed Prossner and Justin Smith each added hat tricks and Brian Dougherty made 16 saves before yielding to Kevin Keenan with eight and a half minutes remaining in the game.
Playoff Seeding
According to an article on majorleaguelacrosse.com's Newsletter, the Barrage have control over the #1 seed as they are currently the top team in MLL. A tie with Rochester would be settled by Conference record while common opponents would break a tie with Los Angeles. Should the Barrage lose they would need each of the other playoff teams to lose as well in order to maintain the #1 seed.
Notes
A victory on Saturday would give the Barrage an undefeated record at home for the first time in team history. The previous best at home was last season's 5-1 record.
Ryan Boyle needs eight points to set the Barrage single season point record (57 by Blake Miller in 2004). Five goals would give him the second highest goal total in one season for the Barrage behind Miller's 46 scores in the 2004 Championship season. Boyle leads the Barrage this season with 23 goals (one 2 pointer), 26 assists and 50 points.
Matt Striebel needs two more points to set a career high (previous 36 in 2005) while Mike Springer has already surpassed his career high (35 in 2006) with 40. Both need two goals to set career highs in that area (previous for both 23).
Next Game
The Barrage will play in the semi-finals on August 25 against an opponent to be determined. The other three playoff squads are Los Angeles, Denver and Rochester.
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The Philadelphia Barrage (8-3) are in the playoffs but still find the final game of the season against the Washington Bayhawks (5-6) to have meaning for them. A victory in Saturday's game will give the defending MLL Champions the #1 seed in the Championship Weekend in Rochester on August 25. Saturday's game at USTC will face off at 7 PM.
Last Game
The Barrage won their third straight game against the Bayhawks with a 21-11 win at Georgetown University on Saturday. Matt Striebel earned MLL Offensive Player of the Week honors with a four goal, one assist game. Roy Colsey, Jed Prossner and Justin Smith each added hat tricks and Brian Dougherty made 16 saves before yielding to Kevin Keenan with eight and a half minutes remaining in the game.
Playoff Seeding
According to an article on majorleaguelacrosse.com's Newsletter, the Barrage have control over the #1 seed as they are currently the top team in MLL. A tie with Rochester would be settled by Conference record while common opponents would break a tie with Los Angeles. Should the Barrage lose they would need each of the other playoff teams to lose as well in order to maintain the #1 seed.
Notes
A victory on Saturday would give the Barrage an undefeated record at home for the first time in team history. The previous best at home was last season's 5-1 record.
Ryan Boyle needs eight points to set the Barrage single season point record (57 by Blake Miller in 2004). Five goals would give him the second highest goal total in one season for the Barrage behind Miller's 46 scores in the 2004 Championship season. Boyle leads the Barrage this season with 23 goals (one 2 pointer), 26 assists and 50 points.
Matt Striebel needs two more points to set a career high (previous 36 in 2005) while Mike Springer has already surpassed his career high (35 in 2006) with 40. Both need two goals to set career highs in that area (previous for both 23).
Next Game
The Barrage will play in the semi-finals on August 25 against an opponent to be determined. The other three playoff squads are Los Angeles, Denver and Rochester.
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Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Game Preview - Barrage at Bayhawks 8-4-07
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Barrage (7-3) will seek to clinch a berth in the 2007 Major League Lacrosse playoffs when they travel to Washington to face the Bayhawks (5-5) Saturday afternoon at 4 PM. A victory will give the Barrage a chance to defend their MLL title. The game will be televised on August 7 at 4 PM on ESPN2.
Last Week
The Barrage needed overtime to defeat the New Jersey Pride 12-11 at Yurcak Field last Thursday evening. Seth Goldberg's second goal of the night 6:44 into the extra period gave the Barrage the win. Brian Dougherty earned MLL Goalie of the Week honors with a 16 save performance. Roy Colsey added a pair of goals while Mike Springer led the way with five points (two goals, three assists).
History
The Barrage are 6-6 all time against the Bayhawks, 4-2 on the road. In 2006, the Barrage swept the series with a pair of routs. In a lightning shortened game on July 27, Philly broke open a close game at halftime with a 16-6 second half enroute to a 22-11 win. Then in the final game of the regular season, the Barrage beat up on the Bayhawks again to the tune of 20-12. Ryan Boyle had 15 points (nine goals, six assists) while Roy Colsey added seven goals, including a two pointer, and an assist in the two games. Brian Dougherty won both games in net.
Familiar Faces
The Bayhawk lineup features a number of players familiar to Philly lax fans. Former Wings Tom Marechek and Mark Frye, as well as current Wings Shawn Nadelen and Kyle Fiat are top contributors to the Washington lineup. Ex-Barrage players Ryan Moran and Mike Mollot have seen time in the lineup along with former Ridley High standout Bill McGlone. Marechek still has his goal scoring touch with 18, good for third on the Bayhawks.
Barrage leaders
Goals: Ryan Boyle and Mike Springer (21)
Assists: Boyle (24)
Points: Boyle (46)
Goals Against: Brian Dougherty (11.99)
Next Game
The Barrage will conclude the regular season with a rematch against the Bayhawks on August 11 at USTC in Downingtown.
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The Philadelphia Barrage (7-3) will seek to clinch a berth in the 2007 Major League Lacrosse playoffs when they travel to Washington to face the Bayhawks (5-5) Saturday afternoon at 4 PM. A victory will give the Barrage a chance to defend their MLL title. The game will be televised on August 7 at 4 PM on ESPN2.
Last Week
The Barrage needed overtime to defeat the New Jersey Pride 12-11 at Yurcak Field last Thursday evening. Seth Goldberg's second goal of the night 6:44 into the extra period gave the Barrage the win. Brian Dougherty earned MLL Goalie of the Week honors with a 16 save performance. Roy Colsey added a pair of goals while Mike Springer led the way with five points (two goals, three assists).
History
The Barrage are 6-6 all time against the Bayhawks, 4-2 on the road. In 2006, the Barrage swept the series with a pair of routs. In a lightning shortened game on July 27, Philly broke open a close game at halftime with a 16-6 second half enroute to a 22-11 win. Then in the final game of the regular season, the Barrage beat up on the Bayhawks again to the tune of 20-12. Ryan Boyle had 15 points (nine goals, six assists) while Roy Colsey added seven goals, including a two pointer, and an assist in the two games. Brian Dougherty won both games in net.
Familiar Faces
The Bayhawk lineup features a number of players familiar to Philly lax fans. Former Wings Tom Marechek and Mark Frye, as well as current Wings Shawn Nadelen and Kyle Fiat are top contributors to the Washington lineup. Ex-Barrage players Ryan Moran and Mike Mollot have seen time in the lineup along with former Ridley High standout Bill McGlone. Marechek still has his goal scoring touch with 18, good for third on the Bayhawks.
Barrage leaders
Goals: Ryan Boyle and Mike Springer (21)
Assists: Boyle (24)
Points: Boyle (46)
Goals Against: Brian Dougherty (11.99)
Next Game
The Barrage will conclude the regular season with a rematch against the Bayhawks on August 11 at USTC in Downingtown.
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Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wings announce blockbuster trade, protected list for expansion draft
By Tom Hoffman
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The Philadelphia Wings were part of a three team trade today in the National Lacrosse League, acquiring D Taylor Wray from the Calgary Roughnecks and F Jason Crosbie from the Buffalo Bandits while sending F Sean Greenhalgh to Buffalo and D Ian Llord to Calgary. The Wings also receive future considerations from the Bandits in the deal that also saw Buffalo send G Steve Dietrich and D Kyle Couling to Calgary while getting 2 draft picks from the Roughnecks in return.
Wray, who has taken an assistant coaching job with Lehigh University, is a former NLL Rookie of the Year and was also named Co-Defender of the Year during his rookie campaign in 2004. Crosbie joins his fifth NLL team, having also played for Arizona, Montreal and Rochester before joining the Bandits. Greenhalgh led the Wings in scoring in both of his seasons in Philly while Llord was one of the Wings three first round selections in last season's Entry Draft.
In addition, the Wings also announced their list of protected players for the draft to stock the expansion Boston franchise, which will take place on July 31. In addition to their new acquisitions, the Wings also protected Goalie Matt Roik, Defensemen Thomas Hajek and Shawn Nadelen, Transition players John Christmas, Geoff Snider and Kyle Sweeney, and Forwards Keith Cromwell, Kyle Fiat, Athan Iannucci, Dan Marohl, Rob Van Beek and Kyle Wailes. Boston will get to choose one player from each of the NLL teams to set up their roster.
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Monday, July 23, 2007
Game Preview - Barrage vs. Pride 7-26-07
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Barrage (6-3) will look to regain their winning form when they play "host" to the New Jersey Pride (3-6) Thursday night. While this is a home game for the Barrage, the game is being played at the Pride's home field (Yurcak Field) in order to accomodate the ESPN2 broadcast. Faceoff is at 7:30 PM, with the telecast beginning at 9 PM.
Last Week
The Barrage were defeated by the Denver Outlaws 15-13 on Saturday night at Invesco Field in Denver. The Barrage kept the game close until Denver scored four straight goals to take a 15-11 lead midway through the final quarter. Mike Springer scored a two point goal to cut the deficit in half but Philly could get no closer. Springer scored four goals to lead the Barrage while Ian Dingman, Matt Striebel and Jed Prossner each added two scores. Brian Dougherty made 21 saves in the Barrage goal.
History
With their 12-7 win on July 12 against the Pride, the Barrage have won three straight games in the series and are 5-2 against the Pride since moving from Bridgeport. In fact, all five Barrage wins in the series have taken place since the move, as the Barrage were 0-6 against the Pride while playing in Bridgeport from 2001 through 2003.
Eastern Conference Standings
Rochester 7-2
Barrage 6-3
Washington 5-5
Long Island 4-5
Boston 4-6
New Jersey 3-6
Barrage Leaders
Goals - Ryan Boyle [20]
Assists - Boyle [24]
Points - Boyle [45]
Ground Balls - Andy Corno [36]
2 Point Goals - Four players with one each
Penalty Minutes - Joe Ceglia [9]
Saves - Brian Dougherty [147]
Next Game
The Barrage begin a home and home set with the Washington Bayhawks on August 4 at Georgetown University.
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The Philadelphia Barrage (6-3) will look to regain their winning form when they play "host" to the New Jersey Pride (3-6) Thursday night. While this is a home game for the Barrage, the game is being played at the Pride's home field (Yurcak Field) in order to accomodate the ESPN2 broadcast. Faceoff is at 7:30 PM, with the telecast beginning at 9 PM.
Last Week
The Barrage were defeated by the Denver Outlaws 15-13 on Saturday night at Invesco Field in Denver. The Barrage kept the game close until Denver scored four straight goals to take a 15-11 lead midway through the final quarter. Mike Springer scored a two point goal to cut the deficit in half but Philly could get no closer. Springer scored four goals to lead the Barrage while Ian Dingman, Matt Striebel and Jed Prossner each added two scores. Brian Dougherty made 21 saves in the Barrage goal.
History
With their 12-7 win on July 12 against the Pride, the Barrage have won three straight games in the series and are 5-2 against the Pride since moving from Bridgeport. In fact, all five Barrage wins in the series have taken place since the move, as the Barrage were 0-6 against the Pride while playing in Bridgeport from 2001 through 2003.
Eastern Conference Standings
Rochester 7-2
Barrage 6-3
Washington 5-5
Long Island 4-5
Boston 4-6
New Jersey 3-6
Barrage Leaders
Goals - Ryan Boyle [20]
Assists - Boyle [24]
Points - Boyle [45]
Ground Balls - Andy Corno [36]
2 Point Goals - Four players with one each
Penalty Minutes - Joe Ceglia [9]
Saves - Brian Dougherty [147]
Next Game
The Barrage begin a home and home set with the Washington Bayhawks on August 4 at Georgetown University.
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