Wings open Training Camp

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings will begin preparations for the 2009 NLL season when they open training camp on Friday, November 21 at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA. All practices are free and open to the public.

As the season approaches, look for interviews and preview articles leading up to the season opener January 3 in Buffalo.

Wings 2009 Schedule released

By Tom Hoffman

The 2009 National Lacrosse League schedule was released today. The Philadelphia Wings will open the 2009 season watching the Buffalo Bandits raise their 2008 championship banner on January 3rd at HSBC Arena. After stops in Minnesota (January 10) and Chicago (January 16), the Wings will play their home opener on January 23 against the expansion Boston Blazers. The Wings home schedule includes three Friday nights, four Saturday night games and a Sunday afternoon tilt with New York on April 5. The full Wings schedule is below.

Wings 2009 Schedule
(home games in bold).

January 3 at Buffalo 7:30 PM
January 10 at Minnesota 8 PM
January 16 at Chicago 8 PM
January 23 Boston 8 PM
January 24 at Boston 7:30 PM
January 31 at San Jose 3:30 PM
February 6 Buffalo 8 PM
February 13 Boston 8 PM
February 21 Chicago 7:30 PM
February 28 at New York 12:30 PM
March 14 Minnesota 7:30 PM
March 28 Colorado 7:30 PM
April 4 at New York 7:30 PM
April 5 New York 2:30 PM
April 11 Toronto 7:30 PM
April 18 at Rochester 7:35 PM

Barrage fall in OT, no championship in 2008

By Tom Hoffman

For the third time in four semi-final games the Barrage found themselves in overtime. And for the first time in their playoff history, they find themselves not playing for the Major League Lacrosse title. Casey Powell's goal :45 into the extra session lifted the Rochester Rattlers to their first ever postseason victory, 16-15 over the defending champions at Boston's Harvard Stadium.

The Barrage forced overtime by outscoring the Rattlers 3-0 in the fourth quarter, tying the game on Roy Colsey's third goal of the game with 2:59 left in regulation. Colsey also had three assists for six points to lead the Barrage. Joe Walters scored four goals and three assists to lead Rochester. The Rattlers will face the Denver Outlaws, who defeated the Los Angeles Riptide 13-12, in Sunday's Championship tilt. The winner of this year's championship will be the first team other than the Barrage (3), Lizards (2) and Bayhawks (2) to raise the Steinfeld Cup.

And so for 2008, the Barrage's traveling road show has played its final date.

MLL Semi-Final - Barrage vs Rattlers - 8/23/08

By Tom Hoffman

The Barrage (7-5) are seeking their third consecutive Major League Lacrosse title in 2008. Their first step towards that feat will begin Saturday when they face the top seeded Rochester Rattlers (9-3) at Harvard Stadium. Faceoff is at Noon and the game will be shown live on ESPN2.

Playoff History

The Barrage are in the postseason for the fourth time, having won the MLL Championship all three previous times (2004, 2006, 2007). Their all time playoff record is 6-0. Rochester is 0-4 all time in the postseason. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, the Barrage needing overtime to defeat the Rattlers 18-17 in the 2004 semi-finals at Boston's Nickerson Field. Seven members of the Barrage (Roy Colsey, Matt Striebel, Kyle Sweeney, Mike Springer, Brian Spallina, Brian Kuczma, Ryan Boyle) have played in all six Barrage playoff games while Kevin Cassese was a member of the Rattlers in the 2004 meeting.

Regular Season

Rochester won both regular season meetings in 2008, winning 22-9 on May 31st at PAETEC Park and then taking a 20-17 victory on June 21st in Cary, NC. Joe Walters, John Grant Jr. and Casey Powell each had 13 points for the Rattlers in the two games, Walters leading the way with 11 goals while Matt Striebel had seven points (6G, 1A) for the Barrage with Seth Goldberg, Ryan Boyle and Justin Smith each adding six points. Rochester's Alex Smith outdueled Andy Corno at the faceoff "X" winning 45 of 67 draws. Mike Levin won both starts for the Rattlers while Brian Dougherty took the losses for the Barrage.

Barrage Playoff Leaders

Goals: Roy Colsey (22), Matt Striebel (16)

Assists: Ryan Boyle (12), Striebel (10)

Points: Colsey (30), Striebel (27)

Wins: Brian Dougherty (4), Greg Cattrano (2)

Faceoff Wins: Paul Cantabene (42), Andy Corno (34)

Notes

The Barrage won their first MLL title in Boston in 2004. That season the championship weekend was at Nickerson Field. At this year's venue, Harvard Stadium, the Barrage are 3-0 including a pair of wins in 2008.

Kyle Sweeney and Matt Striebel were named to the 2008 All-MLL team while Tony Resch was named MLL Coach of the Year.

Next Game

A win and the Barrage face the winner of the Denver-Los Angeles game on Sunday afternoon. A loss and we'll see you in 2009.

Barrage Game 12 (vs. New Jersey 8-9-08)

By Tom Hoffman

The Barrage (7-4) will look to enter the postseason on a winning note when they finish the regular season with a trip to Hillsboro, Oregon to face the New Jersey Pride (5-6) Saturday evening. Faceoff is at 10:30 PM and will shown live on CN8.

History

The Barrage have won five straight in the all time series after their 16-11 win at New Jersey on July 10. Peter Trombino scored five goals that night to earn Game MVP honors. The win gave the Barrage a 7-8 all time record against the Pride, 7-2 since the Barrage relocated from Bridgeport, CT.

Last Week

The Barrage clinched their third straight playoff appearance (and fourth in five seasons) with a 16-11 victory over the Boston Cannons last Saturday at Harvard Stadium. Kevin Keenan, making the start in place of an ill Brian Dougherty, took Game MVP honors with a 27 save performance. Keenan, also named Goaltender of the Week, was aided by three goals from Ryan Boyle and Matt Striebel and a pair from Jed Prossner in his return from the injured list. New Jersey defeated Washington 16-8 on July 31 at Rutgers.

Playoffs

With their spot secured in the 2007 MLL postseason, the Barrage still need to find out where they will be seeded. A Barrage win and Los Angeles loss and the Barrage will earn the third seed while a Riptide win puts the Barrage fourth regardless of what they do vs. the Pride.

Stats and Stuff

With his three goals against Boston, Matt Striebel set a personal high for goals in a season. With 27 heading into the final game, he and Seth Goldberg (also with 27 goals) can become just the third and fourth Barrage players to score 30 goals in a season with hat tricks this weekend. Blake Miller holds the team record with 46 goals in the 2004 championship year while Matt Panetta tallied 33 in the teams inaugural season in 2001. Goldberg, with four goals, can equal his best of 31 set with Rochester in 2006. Kyle Sweeney (five goals this season) needs one goal to set a career high for himself as well.

Next Game

The Barrage will play either the Denver Outlaws or the Rochester Rattlers on August 23 in the MLL Semi-Finals.