Overall: 7-9. (4-4 Home)
East: : 3rd Seed
Overall NLL: 6th Seed
Week 6: Rochester Knighthawks 20 @ Philadelphia Wings 10
Week 8: Philadelphia Wings 10 @ Rochester Knighthawks 8
Week 14: Philadelphia Wings 7 @ Rochester Knighthawks 14
The Philadelphia Wings advanced to the NLL playoffs for the second consecutive year (last time 2001-2002), and once again they will face the Rochester Knighthawks. The Wings advanced two weeks ago with an exciting 10-9 OT win over the Toronto Rock and for a week the fans still had hope of a home playoff game. But when the Wings took the opening faceoff in Washington, the Wings fans knew where round one would be play.
Players will tell you that the playoffs are a different animal. When I talked to Wings players and coaches this season they all echoed the same goal. Get into the playoffs and get a home playoff game, the fans deserve it. Wings defender Brett Manney (appears weekly on The Wings Nest radio show) a local product knows what it means for Wings fans to have a home playoff game, as he was once a fan in the stands before running on the floor. “They are the most passionate of fans” said Manney when asked about a possible home playoff game. If a home playoff game is to be, it may have to wait until round two.
Wings are hoping to catch fire in the playoffs winning 2 of last 3.Last weeks lost to Stealth I believe was to play it out as destination was already decided. The Wings put together 2 solid games against the Swarm and Rock in their final two home games of the regular season. If they can put that effort along with the first two games of the season, this could be a very dangerous team as we start the playoffs. Or we could see the team that was blown out in six of the nine defeats.
On the offensive side of the ball the Wings are led by second year forward Kevin Crowley. Crowley led the Wings with 34 goals and 72 points. Drew Westervelt (30 goals), Ross (20) Rabil (17), Buchanan & Hall (16 & 14). Brendan Mundorf returned for the final six games and seemed not to miss a beat by netting 8 goals and 14 assists (2.75 pts avg/game). The offense needs to penetrate the middle, get in front of the goalie. If they take a lot of outside shots it will put a lot of pressure on their defense.
For the defense, veterans Brett Manney, Brodie Merrill, Pat Heim helped season the young draft picks CJ Costabile & Mike Manley. Just before the trade deadline the Wings went and brought back Kyle Sweeney. Sweeney was able to step right in as he was familiar with the system. At time this season the defense was outplayed and looked lost, then there were times they looked fantastic. Now they need to be sensational as every team will be stepping it up.
In between the pipes…Brandon Miller. No doubt the team MVP. Yes at times he looked bad, but was that him or the defense? Or was it the fact this team does not have a true backup goalie? They do have Angus Dinely, but he is not ready for the NLL. They did sign the rights to Mikey Thompson and placed him on the active roster. There are no signs that Thompson will suit up. So in a situation when you need to pull the starter for a few so they can compose themselves, Miller may be forced to compose himself as the game(s) continue.
If they Wings play Rochester the way they did in week 8 they will come out on top. But if they play as they did in weeks 6 & 14 there will be a lot of questions and possible changes.
Wings are 2-0 on April 27th.
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15-14 win over Toronto @ Air Canada Center
2001 9-8 win over Toronto @ Air Canada Center….Championship #6
