When the Toronto Rock (10-5) and Philadelphia Wings (6-8) get together for a NLL game it is going to be second to none. Saturdays afternoon matchup from the Wells Fargo Center is expected to be a classic (CBS Sports Network 4:30pm). Toronto can clinch home field throughout the NLL Playoffs with a victory, while the Wings can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. The Wings are also shooting for a chance at a home playoff game, something the fans haven’t seen since April 20, 2001 when they defeated the Knighthawks 12-11. In 2002 the Wings made the playoffs, but the Washington Power who had a better record deferred to the Wings as the attendance would be extremely greater, but the Wings were the visiting team that day.
Both the Rock and the Wings hae split the season series at a game apiece, Toronto winning here in the last meeting 13-8. This time the Rock will be facing a healthy Wings team. Captain Brodie Merrill, Brett Manney and Jeff Reynolds will be back in the line-up which obviously adds strength to the transition, defense and the face-offs. The Rock are led by MVP candidate Garrett Billings (30G/68A) and Captain Colin Doyle (25G/57A). Other offensive threats on this roster, Stephan LeBlanc (22G), Josh Sanderson (26G), and Kasey Biernes (29G) will obviously lead this high powered offense as they try to get in tune for the post season. There transition game is nothing to look past. Jesse Gamble has been a very big surprise picking up 97 loose balls and scoring nine goals. If Gamble gets any type of open space he will certainly take advantage of it. The defense is just as strong, Patrick Merrill, Bill Greer, Cam Woods, and Chris White will be the protectors in front of goaltender Nick Rose. The Rock PP capitalizes at 56% (52-93) 12 SHGA and their PK 62% (39-63) 7 SHGF. So the Wings will have to stay disciplined and stay out of the box, and if given the PP chance, they MUST capitalize.
For the Wings, they are coming off a hard fought 15-13 win over the Swarm to gain a split of last weekends back to back games. This will be the Wings final regular season home game of 2013. A win and the Wings clinch a playoff berth, and will still have a chance for a home playoff game, but a loss and they will be scoreboard watching in the hopes the Stealth defeat the Bandits giving the Wings the playoff spot as they hold the tie-breaker over the Bandits. In a conversation I had with Wings defenseman Brett Manney, Brett stated, “we hit a rough patch losing those six games. Injuries played a part, but that’s no reason to lose the way we did” Manney who is from Delaware knows about the passion that burns inside the Wings faithful. He knows when these teams face-off the crowd will be pumped and giving their all in support. Brett also said “The guys know what a home playoff game would mean to the fans, and that’s what we want to give them, we owe it to them.” Goaltender Brandon Miller (6-6, 11.86 GAA) has been solid for the Wings and has made some game changing saves that if they were not made who knows where the team would be. On the offensive side of the ball, second year player Kevin Crowley (31G/36A) leads the team, Drew Westervelt (27), Kevin Ross (20), Kevin Buchanan (14) lead the way for the Wings offensive unit. The big surprise this year in my eyes has to be Paul Rabil. Rabil has played transition his entire NLL career. This season GM/Head Coach Johnny Mouradian decided to use Paul’s speed and his powerful shot out the front door on the offense. This season Paul has registered (16G/19A) for 35 points, his best output since 2010 (11G/26A) when he was on transition. For this being only year one playing up on offense, I would say it looks very promising for Paul as a solid offensive threat as he makes the transition. The Wings young defense has had growing pains but have matured greatly this season with CJ Costabile, Mike Manley, and the transition game with Joel White has added some much needed speed. The special teams have been hot/cold this season, both are below 50%. PP 44% (34-77) 15 SHGA and PK 47% (35-74) 11 SHGF. Even though there PP is at 44%, the fact of having 15 short handed goals against you drops the percentage to 24%. A PP is supposed to help you either bolster your lead buy a goal or bring you closer if behind. If you allow a SHGA, if you score while still on a PP, you have only been brought back to the starting line with nothing gained. This is a game the Wings special team, must be just that, SPECIAL!! Stay disciplined and out of the box, if on the PP score on it and don’t allow a short handed chance.
If the Wings play as they did last Sunday against the Swarm they will come out on top, clinch a playoff berth, and send the Wings faithful home happy. 12-10 Wings!!!
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