This past weekend the National Lacrosse League invaded the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa. The New England Black Wolves faced off against the Buffalo Bandits. This wasn’t just any NLL game; it was a homecoming of sorts.
The New England Black Wolves (formerly Philadelphia Wings) last played in Philadelphia on April 26, 2014 and lost to Colorado 13-12. But on this night, just a little over 60 miles north on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Kevin Crowley, Pat Saunders, Kevin Buchanan, to name a few took the floor in front of some of the Wings faithful.
The game started with the ceremonial faceoff. Who else to do it but Jake Bergey and Tom Slate, two all-time favorites. Taking the faceoff was local product Brett Manney and David Brock, who played for the Wings during the 2011-12 seasons.
Both teams started quick and the defense and the goaltending in the first half came up huge for both teams. Anthony Cosmo for Buffalo and Tye Belanger started between the pipes and made some key saves which kept the score 5-3 in favor of Buffalo after the first half.
During halftime Wings Alumni Bergey, Slate and Jeff Spano signed autographs, posed for pictures and spoke to fans on the concourse. As the second half started both teams switched goaltenders. Bandits went with Davide DiRuscio, while the Black Wolves went with Evan Kirk.
Buffalo came out quick opening their lead to 7-3 early in the third, but as we know the game of lacrosse is a game of runs. The Black Wolves would then go on a six goal run.
Black Wolves had six different goal scorers in the game; Shawn Evans who had a hat trick on the night tallied a short handed and a power play goal to cut the lead to 7-5. Goals by Kevin Buchanan and Pat Saunders would tie the game a 7-7. Then it was Shawn Evans again firing a bounce shot over the left shoulder of DiRuscio for the game winner. Jimmy Purves would seal the game with an empty net goal. Kevin Crowley also had two goals for New England.
Fans were treated at the end of the game as players, including some Bandit players along with several former Wing players hung out on the turf for autograph and pictures.
A great time was had by all as fans that attended. And what would an indoor lacrosse game be without long time fan favorite “Chopper” standing behind the penalty box and getting the crowd into a W-I-N-G-S.WINGS!! chant?
Crowley and Buchanan said it felt as if they were back at the arena in Philadelphia again after hearing it.
Should the NLL place a team back in the Philadelphia area, PPL Center in Allentown would be a great arena for it. Yes it is at least 60 miles north of the original arena for some, and more for others, but when it comes down to it a majority of those fans would make the trip.
