This afternoon the Wings (3-8) will look to end one of the longest home losing streaks, as they look to defeat the Rochester Knighthawks (8-3) at 4pm. They have not defeated the Knighthawks since January18, 2008 by a score of 15-14.
Last weekend the Wings fell 13-8 after playing hard the first 45 minutes, the wheels seemed to fall off the last 15 as the Knighthawks outscored the Wings 5-1.
The Wings will face a Knighthawk team that just played 19 hours ago and over came a 9-5 halftime deficit to defeat Toronto 17-12. With the win over Toronto it brought the Wings to only a game behind the Rock for the final playoff spot.
The Wings are 1-15 in the last 16 meetings against the Knighthawks. Last weekend Jordan Hall(3G) and Kevin Crowley(2G) led the scoring for the Wings. Jamieson (4G), Keogh,Vitarelli, Powless (2 goals each) led the Rochester attack.
Wings will need a full 60 minute effort from everyone, and need more the one or two players to do the goal scoring. They will also need to stay out of the penalty box as they are last in the league when killing penalties. Last week the Knighthawks took advantage and went 3-4(plus 1 on a delayed called) to score 4 extra man up goals in the first half.
Matt Vinc will be well rested, but what is his mind set. Vinc was pulled 4:35 into the second quarter after allowing 8 goals on 14 shots. Angus Goodleaf came in and stopped 27 of 31 shots for the win, so we could see Goodleaf. Rochester remains a half game out of first and seem to have at least second place wrapped up as they hold a 4 and 5 game lead over Toronto/Philadelphia and hold the tie breaker as well with seven games left.
Wings are a game behind Toronto for the final spot. The Rock travel to Minnesota for a 6pm start. The Rock are winless on the road, just as the Swarm are winless at home. A Wings win and a Rock loss will put the Wings in a tie for the final spot as the Rock will come here for a meeting next weekend. A loss by the Wings and they could wind up in last place in the east (Swarm win) or fall 2 games behind the Rock if they defeat the Swarm.
Trading deadline is Tuesday; What changes could we see as teams prepare for the playoff push.
