Tonight the Philadelphia Wings look to get back on the winning track on their way to drawing closer to a berth in the 2013 NLL Playoffs. But tonight they will have to do it without goaltender Brandon Miller. Miller will be serving his one game suspension from an altercation in the Washington Stealth game back on March 9th. Philadelphia will have recently acquired goalie Angus Dinely. Dinely was acquired before the March 15th deadline. Angus does have some NLL experience with the Titans, Knighthawks, and was also in Wings camp a few years ago. He was signed from the Toronto Shooting Stars of the CLAX league. While there, Angus compiled a 6-2 record and a 9.57 GAA and a 80.30% save pct. At his first full practice last Saturday night with the team, Angus looked very sharp in covering the angles and controlling any rebounds. Yes it was practice, but if he does this in a game, Wings fans will be happy. Brandon Miller will be back in lineup Saturday night when the team plays the Mammoth.
Other good news is that (F) Brendan Mundorf will make his season debut tonight. Mundorf had ankle surgery I September after an injury sustained in the MLL. No doubt Mundorf will be looking to unleash his scoring power tonight, but also look for the tough Swarm defense to test his surgically repaired ankle. Captain Brodie Merrill and Assistant Brett Manney will be back in the lineup which will no doubt bring some strength to the defense and the transition game. If there is anytime you do not want a slow start it is tonight against the Swarm.
Swarm are coming off a huge 12-5 win over the Stealth two weeks ago, this was their first win since Captain Andrew Suitor had ACL/MCL surgery. This is a tough and gritty team. Callum Crawford now has the “C” during Suitors injury and is a fantastic leader on the field. Crawford isn’t the only player the Wings have to watch. Players like Benesch, Tao on offense…Watt & MacIntosh on Transition and the defense led by hard hitting Mitch Belisle will give the Wings a fight for sure. That’s not all, the Swarm have four rookies that have proven they belong. Rookie (F) Shayne Jackson (14G/27A) and Kiel Matisz (18G/19A) place them 3rd and 4th on the team in points. Matisz 18 goals is good for 2nd behind Benesch and Jacksons 14 goals puts him 4th on the team. These two forwards may be small but they play big. Alex Crepinsek and Brock Sorensen have bolstered the defense and transition of the Swarm.
The Wings are led by the three Kevin’s, Crowley (19G/29A), Buchanan (10G/30A), Ross (16G/19A) and Drew Westervelt (18G/17A). This will be the first time Kevin Ross will face his old mates on the Swarm. Last season when with the Swarm Ross torched the Wings for 5 goals and 4 assists. Hopefully he can turn the tables and do the same to his old team. Wings will obviously get a boost with the return of Mundorf to the lineup as well as their Captain Brodie Merrill. All time the Wings are 7-10 overall versus the Swarm and 3-6 at the Hive. If there is any night for a team like the Wings to use their size on defense its tonight. Even though the Swarm seemed to have come together last game, missing a player the caliber of Suitor will still leave a few holes open for the Wings offense to go thru. Hopefully the Wings find them.
Keys to tonight’s game:
Wings—
Quick Start!! 10 games 14 1st Qtr goals, cant play catch up all night
Discipline!! Reduce the penalties
Special Teams. Need to capitalize on PP and limit SH opportunity.
Let Angus see the shots, Limit 2nd/3rd chances on rebounds
Swarm.
See what Angus is about.. look for the rebounds, Can you rattle him…crease dive, etc..
Rookies. Use there size and speed to get around the bigger defensemen
Mundorf. First game after ankle surgery. What can he do, lean on him
Crowd. Keep the Hive BUZZING all night.
Wings win leaves them 1 win away from a playoff berth. A Minnesota loss, and the Washington Stealth clinch a playoff berth.
