By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (4-4) will open the second half of their 2011 National Lacrosse League schedule this Saturday night when they host the Toronto Rock (7-2). Faceoff at the Wells Fargo Center is at 8 PM and the game will be shown live on the Comcast Network and on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 9-19 all time in regular season play against the Rock including their first season in 1998 as the Ontario Raiders. At home the Wings are 6-9 against Toronto. Last season the Rock swept the season series from the Wings. Toronto defeated the Wings 19-11 on February 5, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre and won 13-6 on April 3, 2010 in Philadelphia. NLL Rookie of the Year Stephan LeBlanc led all scorers in the two games with 19 points (8 Goals, 11 Assists).
Last Week
The Wings defeated the Buffalo Bandits 10-9 last Saturday at HSBC Arena. Drew Westervelt scored the game winning goal with 1:18 remaining in regulation. Westervelt also added four assists while Athan Iannucci and Dan Hardy each chipped in with hat tricks. Toronto swept a home and home with the Rochester Knighthawks winning 10-5 Friday in Toronto and 13-6 Saturday in Rochester.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
Dallas Eliuk was named the Most Valuable Player in the Wings 2001 Championship Game victory, how many saves did he make that evening? Answer at the end of the preview.
All Stars
On Sunday afternoon at 2 PM the NLL All-Star Game takes place at the Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona, NY. The game will be shown live on Versus with the Wings being represented by Brandon Miller and Max Seibald. For Seibald this will be his first trip to the ASG while it will be the second ASG appearance for Miller (2007 ASG at Portland).
Wings at Mid-season (since 2007)
2011: 4-4
2010: 2-6
2009: 3-5
2008: 7-1
2007: 4-4
Next Game
After the All-Star Game the Wings will head to Toronto to face the Rock on Friday March 4 to open a back to back weekend that will conclude with a home match against Geoff Snider and the Calgary Roughnecks on March 5.
Trivia Answer
Dallas Eliuk made 40 saves in leading the Wings to a 9-8 victory over the Rock and their sixth indoor lacrosse title (four in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League and two in the NLL).
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
2011 Wings Lacrosse (2-19-11 at Buffalo)
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (3-4) will look to reach the .500 mark at the season's midpoint when they travel to Buffalo for their third and final regular season matchup with the Bandits (4-2). Faceoff at HSBC Arena is at 7:30 PM and the game can be seen live on both the NLL Network at NLL.com and on the Comcast Network.
History
The Wings are 19-22 against the Bandits and 0-2 in 2011 with both losses coming at the Wells Fargo Center. All time the Wings are 8-12 in Buffalo with a win in their last visit, 15-11 on February 27, 2010.
Last Game
The Bandits outscored the Wings 9-1 after the Wings had closed to within a goal in last Saturday's 16-7 Buffalo victory. John Tavares scored his 700th National Lacrosse League goal and had nine points in leading the Bandits to victory. The Wings had two goal nights from Athan Iannucci, Alex Turner and Drew Westervelt.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as this week's opponent. This week's question is:
In the Wings 1994 championship game win over the Bandits, who was the Game MVP? The answer will be at the end of the preview.
Notes
Wings transition player Max Seibald was added to the Eastern Division All Star team joining teammate Brandon Miller. The game is on February 27 in Verona, NY.
After scoring his 700th goal, John Tavares needs just one point for 1500 in his career and five assists for 800.
The Wings are 1-1 all time on February 19. They defeated the Baltimore Thunder 20-17 in 1994 at the Baltimore Arena and lost 9-7 to the Toronto Rock at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1999.
Stats Leaders
Athan Iannucci: 10th in the NLL in points (32), tied for third in power play goals (5), fourth in power play points (12).
Alex Turner: Tied for third in power play goals (5).
Brandon Miller: Leads the NLL in saves (278), second in save percentage (.806) and seventh in goals against average (10.18).
Next Game
The Wings return home on February 26 to take on the Toronto Rock.
Trivia Answer
Paul Gait was the MVP of the 1994 championship game with an 11 point performance (8 goals, 3 assists).
The Philadelphia Wings (3-4) will look to reach the .500 mark at the season's midpoint when they travel to Buffalo for their third and final regular season matchup with the Bandits (4-2). Faceoff at HSBC Arena is at 7:30 PM and the game can be seen live on both the NLL Network at NLL.com and on the Comcast Network.
History
The Wings are 19-22 against the Bandits and 0-2 in 2011 with both losses coming at the Wells Fargo Center. All time the Wings are 8-12 in Buffalo with a win in their last visit, 15-11 on February 27, 2010.
Last Game
The Bandits outscored the Wings 9-1 after the Wings had closed to within a goal in last Saturday's 16-7 Buffalo victory. John Tavares scored his 700th National Lacrosse League goal and had nine points in leading the Bandits to victory. The Wings had two goal nights from Athan Iannucci, Alex Turner and Drew Westervelt.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as this week's opponent. This week's question is:
In the Wings 1994 championship game win over the Bandits, who was the Game MVP? The answer will be at the end of the preview.
Notes
Wings transition player Max Seibald was added to the Eastern Division All Star team joining teammate Brandon Miller. The game is on February 27 in Verona, NY.
After scoring his 700th goal, John Tavares needs just one point for 1500 in his career and five assists for 800.
The Wings are 1-1 all time on February 19. They defeated the Baltimore Thunder 20-17 in 1994 at the Baltimore Arena and lost 9-7 to the Toronto Rock at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1999.
Stats Leaders
Athan Iannucci: 10th in the NLL in points (32), tied for third in power play goals (5), fourth in power play points (12).
Alex Turner: Tied for third in power play goals (5).
Brandon Miller: Leads the NLL in saves (278), second in save percentage (.806) and seventh in goals against average (10.18).
Next Game
The Wings return home on February 26 to take on the Toronto Rock.
Trivia Answer
Paul Gait was the MVP of the 1994 championship game with an 11 point performance (8 goals, 3 assists).
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tavares, Bandits KO Wings
By Tom Hoffman
Paul Dawson may have thrown a knockout punch when he dropped Buffalo's Travis Irving in the fourth but the more convincing knockout was delivered by the Bandits offense and John Tavares as Buffalo used a 9-2 second half to defeat the Wings 16-7. A season high 9,649 witnessed the carnage, pink jerseys on the Wings and some history at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Wings, for the fifth game this season, scored first on a power play tally from Alex Turner. The fans then got to see some history made when Tavares became the first player in National Lacrosse League history to score 700 goals when his goal with the man advantage tied the score. He would add two more goals in the quarter while assisting on a Tracey Kelusky score to give Buffalo a 4-1 lead after 15 minutes. After Athan Iannucci and Chad Culp traded goals, the Wings would score the next three goals to even things up a five apiece but woul;d trail 7-5 at half following Bandit scores from Culp and Kelusky.
Dan Hardy would get the Wings within a goal just :56 into the third session but that would end up as close as the Wings would get the rest of the evening. Buffalo would run off seven straight goals to effectively put the game away. But at the 2:39 mark of the fourth the Wings fans had their last real moment to cheer when Dawson connected on his punch that left Irving quite woozy and needing medical attention. While it fired up the fans it did nothing to wake up a lackluster Wings effort. After Drew Westervelt stopped the Buffalo scoring streak, Mark Steenhuis would score on a five minute major to the Wings Jeff Reynolds and in the process help chase All-Star starting goalie Brandon Miller for the second straight game and second time since getting the All-Star nod. By the time Steenhuis scored again with under a minute to play, many had already headed for the exits.
The ageless Tavares would end up adding to his Hall of Fame bound totals with a nine point evening on five goals and four assists in leading the Bandit attack. For the Wings, it was once again a frustrating night of little offense and poor fundamentals as they dropped many passes and failed to corral ground balls and rebounds. Now, as the Wings head to Buffalo to reach the season's mid point next weekend, they have to wonder which team will show up: the team that dominated the Boston Blazers a few weeks ago in Boston or the squad that has looked harried and hopeless in losing their last two games.
Paul Dawson may have thrown a knockout punch when he dropped Buffalo's Travis Irving in the fourth but the more convincing knockout was delivered by the Bandits offense and John Tavares as Buffalo used a 9-2 second half to defeat the Wings 16-7. A season high 9,649 witnessed the carnage, pink jerseys on the Wings and some history at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Wings, for the fifth game this season, scored first on a power play tally from Alex Turner. The fans then got to see some history made when Tavares became the first player in National Lacrosse League history to score 700 goals when his goal with the man advantage tied the score. He would add two more goals in the quarter while assisting on a Tracey Kelusky score to give Buffalo a 4-1 lead after 15 minutes. After Athan Iannucci and Chad Culp traded goals, the Wings would score the next three goals to even things up a five apiece but woul;d trail 7-5 at half following Bandit scores from Culp and Kelusky.
Dan Hardy would get the Wings within a goal just :56 into the third session but that would end up as close as the Wings would get the rest of the evening. Buffalo would run off seven straight goals to effectively put the game away. But at the 2:39 mark of the fourth the Wings fans had their last real moment to cheer when Dawson connected on his punch that left Irving quite woozy and needing medical attention. While it fired up the fans it did nothing to wake up a lackluster Wings effort. After Drew Westervelt stopped the Buffalo scoring streak, Mark Steenhuis would score on a five minute major to the Wings Jeff Reynolds and in the process help chase All-Star starting goalie Brandon Miller for the second straight game and second time since getting the All-Star nod. By the time Steenhuis scored again with under a minute to play, many had already headed for the exits.
The ageless Tavares would end up adding to his Hall of Fame bound totals with a nine point evening on five goals and four assists in leading the Bandit attack. For the Wings, it was once again a frustrating night of little offense and poor fundamentals as they dropped many passes and failed to corral ground balls and rebounds. Now, as the Wings head to Buffalo to reach the season's mid point next weekend, they have to wonder which team will show up: the team that dominated the Boston Blazers a few weeks ago in Boston or the squad that has looked harried and hopeless in losing their last two games.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
2011 Wings lacrosse (2-12-11 vs. Buffalo)
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (3-3) will look to get back on the winning track when they host the Buffalo Bandits at 7 PM on Saturday February 12 at the Wells Fargo Center. History could possibly be seen that night as Buffalo’s John Tavares needs just one goal to have 700 for his career. The game can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 19-21 against the Bandits, 11-9 at the WFC. The Wings are 0-1 in 2011 against Buffalo following a 9-6 loss in Philadelphia on January 15. After playing to a 3-3 tie after one quarter the Wings were outscored 3-0 over the next 30 plus minutes and could not catch the Bandits. Athan Iannucci and Drew Westervelt each scored two goals for the Wings while John Tavares, Tracey Kelusky and Chad Culp each tallied twice for Buffalo.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
The Wings record for most goals scored in a game first occurred against the Bandits while their record for most goals given up in a game also occurred against the Bandits. What was the number of goals scored/given up and what seasons did each occur? The answer will be at the end of the preview.
Last Weekend
The Wings were defeated by the Rochester Knighthawks last Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. The Wings were shut out for two quarters and trailed at one point 9-2 in seeing their three game win streak come to an end. Athan Iannucci and Drew Westervelt led the Wings with two goals each while Brandon Miller was pulled from a game for the first time this season after making 23 saves and giving up eight goals. Ray Hodgkinson made his NLL debut and gave up two goals on four shots. The Bandits defeated the Minnesota Swarm 15-12 last Friday night in Buffalo. Mark Steenhuis and Chad Culp each scored a hat trick for Buffalo.
Notes
Wings goalie Brandon Miller was named the starter for the East squad in the upcoming National Lacrosse League All Star Game on February 27. This will be Miller’s second All Star appearance. Reserves will be named later this week.
The Wings are 1-1 on February 12. In 1989 they defeated the Baltimore Thunder 14-9 at the Spectrum while in 2005 they dropped a 16-15 decision in Rochester.
John Tavares scored his 400th career point (a goal) against the Wings in 1999.
Next game
The Wings travel to Buffalo for their final regular season matchup with the Bandits on February 19.
Trivia Answer
The Wings have scored 26 goals in two games but did it for the first time on April 16, 1994 when they defeated the Bandits 26-15 at the Aud in Buffalo to claim their third title in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. The Wings would equal that output in 1996 in a 26-11 win against the Charlotte Cobras at the Spectrum. 26 would be the Bandits lucky number against the Wings on January 20, 2001 at HSBC Arena when they handed Philly a 26-18 shellacking.
The Philadelphia Wings (3-3) will look to get back on the winning track when they host the Buffalo Bandits at 7 PM on Saturday February 12 at the Wells Fargo Center. History could possibly be seen that night as Buffalo’s John Tavares needs just one goal to have 700 for his career. The game can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 19-21 against the Bandits, 11-9 at the WFC. The Wings are 0-1 in 2011 against Buffalo following a 9-6 loss in Philadelphia on January 15. After playing to a 3-3 tie after one quarter the Wings were outscored 3-0 over the next 30 plus minutes and could not catch the Bandits. Athan Iannucci and Drew Westervelt each scored two goals for the Wings while John Tavares, Tracey Kelusky and Chad Culp each tallied twice for Buffalo.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
The Wings record for most goals scored in a game first occurred against the Bandits while their record for most goals given up in a game also occurred against the Bandits. What was the number of goals scored/given up and what seasons did each occur? The answer will be at the end of the preview.
Last Weekend
The Wings were defeated by the Rochester Knighthawks last Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. The Wings were shut out for two quarters and trailed at one point 9-2 in seeing their three game win streak come to an end. Athan Iannucci and Drew Westervelt led the Wings with two goals each while Brandon Miller was pulled from a game for the first time this season after making 23 saves and giving up eight goals. Ray Hodgkinson made his NLL debut and gave up two goals on four shots. The Bandits defeated the Minnesota Swarm 15-12 last Friday night in Buffalo. Mark Steenhuis and Chad Culp each scored a hat trick for Buffalo.
Notes
Wings goalie Brandon Miller was named the starter for the East squad in the upcoming National Lacrosse League All Star Game on February 27. This will be Miller’s second All Star appearance. Reserves will be named later this week.
The Wings are 1-1 on February 12. In 1989 they defeated the Baltimore Thunder 14-9 at the Spectrum while in 2005 they dropped a 16-15 decision in Rochester.
John Tavares scored his 400th career point (a goal) against the Wings in 1999.
Next game
The Wings travel to Buffalo for their final regular season matchup with the Bandits on February 19.
Trivia Answer
The Wings have scored 26 goals in two games but did it for the first time on April 16, 1994 when they defeated the Bandits 26-15 at the Aud in Buffalo to claim their third title in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. The Wings would equal that output in 1996 in a 26-11 win against the Charlotte Cobras at the Spectrum. 26 would be the Bandits lucky number against the Wings on January 20, 2001 at HSBC Arena when they handed Philly a 26-18 shellacking.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
2011 Wings Lacrosse (2-5-11 at Rochester)
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (3-2) will look to extend their winning streak to four games this Saturday afternoon when they travel to Rochester, NY to square off with the Knighthawks (2-2). Faceoff at the Blue Cross Arena is at 2 PM and the game can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 15-20 all time against Rochester and are 5-12 at the Blue Cross Arena. In 2010 the Knighthawks swept the season series from the Wings taking a 12-6 decision in Philadelphia on February 20 and completing the sweep with a 15-12 victory on April 10 in Rochester. The Wings last victory in Rochester was on January 10, 2009 by a score of 16-13
Trivia
This season is not only the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse; it is also the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. To celebrate both, this column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in both the 2001 champions, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
Name the Wing who scored the game winning goal in the 2001 Semi-Final against the Knighthawks? The answer will be at the end of the preview.
Last Weekend
The Wings swept a back to back weekend beginning last Friday in Boston when they held a potent Blazers lineup to just five goals in an 11-5 victory. Athan Iannucci scored four goals while Brandon Miller made 43 saves. Saturday night Iannucci added three more goals and Miller made 44 saves as the Wings jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first half and held on to defeat the Colorado Mammoth 12-11 at the Wells Fargo Center. Rochester played at home on Saturday and struggled against Boston falling to the Blazers by a score of 16-7.
Notes
The Wings three game win streak is their longest since they won their first six games of the 2008 season.
The last time the Wings played on February 5 was last season when they were defeated by the Toronto Rock 19-11 at the Air Canada Centre. Overall the Wings are 3-2 on this date (they lost in 1994 15-11 to the Buffalo Bandits while defeating Buffalo 13-11 in 1999, the New York Saints 15-13 in 2000 and the San Jose Stealth 14-13 in 2005).
The NLL All-Star Game will be held on February 27 at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY. Wings players on the ballot (http://www.nll.com/allstar/) are Brandon Miller, Shawn Nadelen, Athan Iannucci, Drew Westervelt, Max Seibald and Taylor Wray. Voting ends on February 7.
Next game
The Wings return to the Wells Fargo Center on February 12 to face the Buffalo Bandits.
Trivia Answer
Tom Marechek scored with 1:29 to play in regulation to give the Wings a 12-11 win over Rochester on April 20, 2001 and put the Wings in the NLL Final against the Toronto Rock.
The Philadelphia Wings (3-2) will look to extend their winning streak to four games this Saturday afternoon when they travel to Rochester, NY to square off with the Knighthawks (2-2). Faceoff at the Blue Cross Arena is at 2 PM and the game can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 15-20 all time against Rochester and are 5-12 at the Blue Cross Arena. In 2010 the Knighthawks swept the season series from the Wings taking a 12-6 decision in Philadelphia on February 20 and completing the sweep with a 15-12 victory on April 10 in Rochester. The Wings last victory in Rochester was on January 10, 2009 by a score of 16-13
Trivia
This season is not only the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse; it is also the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. To celebrate both, this column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in both the 2001 champions, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
Name the Wing who scored the game winning goal in the 2001 Semi-Final against the Knighthawks? The answer will be at the end of the preview.
Last Weekend
The Wings swept a back to back weekend beginning last Friday in Boston when they held a potent Blazers lineup to just five goals in an 11-5 victory. Athan Iannucci scored four goals while Brandon Miller made 43 saves. Saturday night Iannucci added three more goals and Miller made 44 saves as the Wings jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first half and held on to defeat the Colorado Mammoth 12-11 at the Wells Fargo Center. Rochester played at home on Saturday and struggled against Boston falling to the Blazers by a score of 16-7.
Notes
The Wings three game win streak is their longest since they won their first six games of the 2008 season.
The last time the Wings played on February 5 was last season when they were defeated by the Toronto Rock 19-11 at the Air Canada Centre. Overall the Wings are 3-2 on this date (they lost in 1994 15-11 to the Buffalo Bandits while defeating Buffalo 13-11 in 1999, the New York Saints 15-13 in 2000 and the San Jose Stealth 14-13 in 2005).
The NLL All-Star Game will be held on February 27 at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY. Wings players on the ballot (http://www.nll.com/allstar/) are Brandon Miller, Shawn Nadelen, Athan Iannucci, Drew Westervelt, Max Seibald and Taylor Wray. Voting ends on February 7.
Next game
The Wings return to the Wells Fargo Center on February 12 to face the Buffalo Bandits.
Trivia Answer
Tom Marechek scored with 1:29 to play in regulation to give the Wings a 12-11 win over Rochester on April 20, 2001 and put the Wings in the NLL Final against the Toronto Rock.
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