Friday night the Wings fell to the Bandits 16-10 in pre-season action. This was the first pre-season game for both teams who will face each other on January 11th as they open up their 2013 season. This was the first time the final Wings roster was together since the opening of camp. Kevin Crowley and Drew Westervelt saw limited action, each playing a half of the game according to twitter reports, and the rookies saw a lot of the action. On the Rookie front Greg Rogowski had a great game trying to earn his spot from the practice squad to the 23 man roster. Chad Weidmaier had a good game on defense, along with forward Will Harrington who fought through a bit of a stomach bug. Newly acquired Joel White played a great game on transition.
At the end of regulation both teams agreed to play an additional 15 minute quarter for some more conditioning. Buffalo outscored the Wings 4-2.
On Saturday night the Wings fell to the Rock 12-9 in a very spirited game. This game was a game of runs as most lacrosse games are. Wings were ahead 4-3 at the end of the first quarter, and kept a 7-6 lead into the intermission. The Rock strung three goals together by Patrick Merrill, Josh Sanderson, and Kasey Beirnes, to put the Rock up 9-7.
Josh Sanderson led the way offensively for the Rock with six points (3G/3A), Blaine Manning recorded five points (1G/4A) and Scott Evans had four points (3G/1A) for Toronto
Wings rallied back to tie the game at 9 with just over six minutes left, but that was it for the Wings as the Rock put 2 more in followed by an empty net goal to close the scoring.
Wings forward Kevin Ross (3G/1A) and offseason acquisition Kevin Buchanan (2G+2A) led the way for the Wings.
Paul Rabil and Kyle Hartzell played very well for their first action of the season, and showed they stayed in shape through the off-season.
The main goal was accomplished… Shake off the rust, and no injuries!
Fun and Games are now over!!! Wings will now prepare for their season opener on Jan 11 vs the same Buffalo Bandits. These two games will be a learning tool for the Wings as their first three games of the season they play both the Bandits twice and the Rock once
2013 NLL season starts Jan 5 when the Champion Knighthawks face the Washington Stealth.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Remember don’t drink and drive!
