This week the Philadelphia Wings (3-5) shuffle off to Buffalo (or should we say shovel after the latest snow storm), to face the Bandits (5-2) at 7:30 pm Saturday night.
The Wings are coming off a lost weekend where they fell 20-10 to Toronto, and then fell 8-6 in a defensive battle against the Edmonton Rush. The Bandits are coming off a 9-6 loss to Rochester which saw their five game winning streak halted.
This is the third and final game of the regular season between the teams, each winning on the other team’s floor. Game is very vital for the Wings as they are 2.5 games behind the Bandits for first place in the east.
The Wings will welcome back Jordan Hall who was out last weekend due to a work commitment. Hall leads the team with 16 goals and is second in points behind Kyle Buchanan (14 G, 24 A). Kevin Crowley has started to find the back of the net in the last couple games and currently has 11 goals. Granted some have been during “garbage” time, he is still starting to heat up.
Goaltender Evan Kirk responded well Saturday night only allowing eight goals in defeat, after a terrible game on Friday night. Kirk should be between the pipes for the Wings, while recently signed Brandon Miller will be ready when called upon.
Wins are vital right now for the Wings as they have played the most games in their division, and teams in front of them have 2-3 games to make up. Wins by those teams and losses by the Wings could make it a very tough hill to climb.
The Wings return home next Sunday, February 23 at 4 pm as the Minnesota Swarm come back to town.
