Wings Lacrosse 2013 (3-9-13 vs. Washington)

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (5-3) open the second half of their 2013 National Lacrosse League schedule when they host the Washington Stealth (6-4) and former Wing Athan Iannucci on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.  Game time is at 8 PM and the game can be seen live at www.youtube.com/thelacrossenetwork.

History

The Wings are 9-3 all time against the Stealth franchise including the seasons in Albany, NY (2000-2003) and San Jose, CA (2004-2009).  All time in Philadelphia the Wings are 6-0 vs. the Attack/Stealth.  Last season the Wings defeated Washington 10-9 in overtime at the Wells Fargo Center.  It was the teams’ first meeting since 2008.  The teams will finish the 2013 season against each other in Everett, WA on April 20.   

Last Weekend

The Wings defeated the Buffalo Bandits 11-10 in overtime last Friday at the First Niagara Center.  The Wings trailed all game until Jordan Hall’s goal with less than four seconds to play in regulation tied the game setting up Drew Westervelt for the OT game winner.  Brandon Miller made 40 saves to pick up the game and season series win.     

Washington won at home on Sunday 11-8 over the Minnesota Swarm.  Athan Iannucci led the way for the Stealth with four goals.

Trivia

The Stealth had three first round picks in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft, two of whom will suit up on Saturday night, Paul Rabil (2^nd overall) for the Wings and Rhys Duch (3^rd) for Washington.  The player chosen 5^th overall would end up playing for the Wings in 2010.  Name this player?    

On this date

The Wings are 3-1 on March 9.  In 1991 they defeated the Pittsburgh Bulls 15-7 at Civic Arena, in 1996 they beat the Charlotte Cobras 26-11 at the Spectrum, in 2002 they lost 19-12 to the Washington Power at the Capital Centre and in 2012 defeated the Toronto Rock 12-10 at the Air Canada Centre.  

Wings at Mid-season (last 5 seasons)

2012: 4-4

2011: 4-4

2010: 2-6

2009: 3-5

2008: 7-1

Answer

Kevin Huntley was the Stealth’s third pick in the 2008 Entry Draft’s first round. In his only season as a Wing Huntley scored eight goals and added 19 assists playing in all 16 games that season.  He is the son of former Wings coach and GM Dave Huntley.

Next Game

The Wings will return to action on March 16 when they host the Toronto Rock.

One on One....Paul Rabil

Photo property of WingsLax.com

Kevin M. Neibauer sat down with Wings player, Paul Rabil...the background and the history of Rabil is well known, thus far, the Dan Dawson trade doesn't seem so bad after all....so let's chat with Paul...

Q- Was there a lot of pressure on you to step in and contribute right away?

There's always a need/desire for me to contribute on the lacrosse floor. To say that there isn't would be a let-down. I set high expectations for myself, with little bearing on what others think I should do. I listen to my coaches and teammates, and find the best way to contribute to the team goals.

Q-A lot was made of the American team thing. What is your approach to that?

What American team thing? We're all playing the same game, against common opponents. The best team made up of those who want it the most will win.

Q-You are still somewhat new to the indoor game, what are the biggest differences from the outdoor game?

Shooting. As a midfielder that built my game on shooting from the outside, dodging the alleys and being precise on the run with my off hand, well, neither of those things really work indoors. The goalies are very talented, and they fill up almost the entire net. Power doesn't win, but accuracy and deception. Playing fast complicates the game - all things that are beneficial to me in outdoor.

Q-What is your reaction to the fans in Philadelphia? How have they responded to you?

They're great. We share common goals: a desire to win. When we do so, the fans are phenomenal.

Q-Will your role change when Max Seibald and Brendan Mundorf get back?

No. Both players will help generate more opportunity and flare for an already potent attack. Max is one of the fastest players in the game and will generate a lot of transition, and Brendan is one of the best lefties in the game. His presence alone will create great balance in the offensive zone.

Q-The Rochester win at their place, how big was that?

Huge.

Q-The team has been on streaks, two wins, three losses, now three wins...how do you keep the winning streak going?

We have to continue to play for each other, and win at all costs. There's no doubt in this team, even when we were at the bottom. Nobody truly knows what the future will hold for this season, but the players on the floor are committed to hard work.

Q-Chemistry is always a big thing, Is the chemistry of all the new faces starting to come together?

We're working on it. The biggest thing is the selfless mentality of each player. Whatever we can do to score more goals than our opponent is considered a well-fought battle.

Q-The forwards seem to be getting more involved in taking away the transition game of the opponent, was or is that a thing that has been focused on?

We just need to use our athleticism to slow down any counter movements. If we can steal a few balls back, than it's considered a big positive for our D.

We at LaxPhilly.com would like to Thank Paul Rabil and the Philadelphia Wings for their cooperation in this interview.....thanks...Paul   really appreciated...

Buxmont Indoor Lacrosse Tournament

The Buxmont Indoor Sports Center is one of the most premier indoor sports facilities in the tri-state region. Located in Hatfield, PA, just off State Route 309, it houses many lacrosse related activities, including Wings practices, pick-up lacrosse leagues and was the home of the 2010 Fann Cup.

To find out more about the 1st Annual Bucksmont Indoor Lacrosse Tournament, this Sunday, March 3rd, please visit PlayBISC.com.

Wings Lacrosse 2013 (3-1-13 at Buffalo)

By Tom Hoffman

The Philadelphia Wings (4-3) will look to extend their win streak to three games when they visit the Buffalo Bandits on Friday night to reach the midpoint of their 2013 National Lacrosse League schedule.  Game time at the First Niagara Center is at 7:30 PM and the game can be seen live at www.youtube.com/thelacrossenetwork.

History

The Wings are 23-24 against the Bandits in regular season play, 10-14 in Buffalo (9-10 at First Niagara Center).  The teams have met twice this season, each team winning on its home floor.   The Wings were 13-8 winners in Philadelphia on January 11 while the Bandits eked out a 14-13 win on January 26. 

Last Weekend

The Wings swept back to back games last weekend starting with a 10-8 win over the Rochester Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena last Saturday.  After trailing 4-0 after the first quarter the Wings defense tightened up allowing just four goals over that last 45 minutes of play.  Kevin Crowley, Drew Westervelt and Kevin Buchanan each had a pair of goals.  Sunday the Wings completed their sweep with a 14-12 win over the Colorado Mammoth at the Wells Fargo Center.  Westervelt added four more goals in this game while Paul Rabil and Kevin Ross tallied hat tricks.  Brandon Miller made 84 saves combined last weekend to pick up both victories.     

Buffalo was idle last weekend after defeating Rochester 10-6 on February 16 at the Blue Cross Arena.  The Bandits will face the Toronto Rock on Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre prior to hosting the Wings.

Trivia

This player was the Bandits #1 pick in the 1992 Major Indoor Lacrosse League Entry Draft (held prior to the 1993 season) and was later traded to the Wings making his pro debut in 1994.  Name this player?    

On this date

The Wings are 1-1 on March 1 having defeated the Columbus Landsharks 13-12 at the First Union Center in 2003, and falling to the Buffalo Bandits 21-12 in 2008 at the HSBC Arena.

Wings leaders vs. Buffalo in 2013

Goals: 4 each for Kevin Crowley, Jordan Hall, Kevin Ross and Kevin Buchanan.

Assists: Hall (9)

Points: Hall (13)

Saves: Brandon Miller (81)

Answer

Buffalo’s first round pick in the 1992 draft was Tom “Hollywood” Marechek.  Marechek holds the Wings franchise records for all time goals (399), assists (374) and points (773) and was inducted into the NLL’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Next Game

The Wings will return to action on March 9 when they host Athan Iannucci and the Washington Stealth.

Weekend a sweeping success for Wings

By Tom Hoffman

Following two ugly losses at home the Philadelphia Wings were looking for some good fortune as they headed into a back to back weekend facing the Rochester Knighthawks and Colorado Mammoth.  And after getting past a rough first quarter in Rochester in which they trailed 4-0, the Wings were able to put a solid game together and came back to defeat the defending champion Knighthawks 10-8 on Saturday before heading home and completing a weekend sweep by derailing the Mammoth 14-12 overcoming yet another slow start.

Going into Rochester to face a team they had not beaten in their last 11 tries (including last season’s playoff matchup) going back to 2009; the first quarter deficit was one that would’ve buried some recent Wings squads.  But on this night the Wings would dominate the rest of the way, outscoring the Knighthawks 10-4 over the final 45 minutes of play and getting stellar play in goal from Brandon Miller.  Getting this win over the Knighthawks was a big deal to the Wings.

“To get that monkey off our back and to know we can get a win off of them, that’s huge for our confidence down the stretch,” Wings forward Kevin Ross said following Sunday’s game.

And Sunday’s win over Colorado followed the pattern of Saturday’s game as the Wings, after scoring the game’s first goal, fell behind by 5-2 late in the first quarter to continue what has been a season long trend of slow starts since their opening night win against the Buffalo Bandits. 

“It takes us a little bit to get going,” Wings coach Johnny Mouradian said.

Once the Wings got going in Sunday’s game, they took a 9-7 lead into halftime and would not give up the lead en route to a well earned win that put them back over the .500 mark.   Having a big weekend for the Wings was Drew Westervelt, who followed a four point night (2 goals, 2 assists) in Rochester with a four goal and five point day against Colorado.  Kevin Crowley had an 11 point weekend while Brandon Miller picked up after his slow start in Rochester to have a strong effort against the Mammoth.  The Wings were also helped by two roster moves made during the week to provide some veteran stability to a young team when they added Mike McLellan to the forward ranks and also brought back defenseman Kyle Sweeney.

For the second time this season the Wings will take a two game win streak into Buffalo when the face the Bandits on Friday night.  And not have to worry should they get off to another slow start.

“We gotta realize that if they score early there’s a lot of game, a long way to go,” Ross said.  “Realize that it’s a 60 minute game and it doesn’t matter if you’re losing in the first quarter.  It’s what happens at the end of the game that matters.”