This evening the Washington Stealth(6-4) face the 5-3 Philadelphia Wings at the Wells Fargo Center. This is also the return of Athan Iannucci to Philadelphia. Back in 2008 Iannucci scored a record 71 goals on the way to league MVP. The Stealth have taken the league by surprise this year by vaulting to the top spot in the West after only winning four times last season and missing the playoffs.
The Stealth are led by the offensive machine of Iannucci, Ratcliff, and Rhys Duch. Bobby Snider will play a major role at the face-off circle as he has won 60% of the draws which will give the Stealth some extra possessions. Goaltender Tyler Richards is getting back into 2010 championship form by boasting 10.37 goals against good for second in the league. Matt Beers, Curtis Hodgson and Mike Grimes anchor the Stealth defense.
For the Wings sitting at 5-3 and only a game behind the Rock (won last night 14-10) this is there best start since a 7-1 start in 2008. Philadelphia is coming off a huge 11-10 OT win in Buffalo after charging back in the fourth quarter and tying the game in the final four seconds. Drew Westervelt (16 Goals), Kevin Crowley (15 Goals) & Kevin Ross (13 Goals) lead the Wings offense. Wings are 6-0 all time at home against the Stealth franchise, and 9-3 overall.
Goaltender Brandon Miller carries an 11.38 GAA for fifth in the league. The defense will be anchored by veteran Kyle Sweeney. Sweeney returned home 2 weeks ago and helped the young defense hold off a Knighthawk team in the late going, then bolstered the defense in the Mammoth win the next night, and last week standing tall against a tough Bandit team.
Both teams are considered to be the hottest teams in the NLL. Stealth are winners of 3of last 4 and the Wings are on a season high 3 game winning streak. A Wings win puts them a half game out of first with a match-up against division leader Toronto next week here in Philadelphia.
