Drew Westervelts goal with 11 seconds left capped off a 4 goal run for the Wings as they defeat the Toronto Rock 8-7 at the ACC. This game was spectacular from start to finish. Goaltenders Nick Rose and Brandon Miller played outstanding in the net for their respected teams.
Toronto was first on the board at 2:43 with a goal from Josh Sanderson on a beautiful transition play. The Rock took a 2-0 lead with 27 seconds left as Stephan Leblanc fired his shot past Miller.
Kevin Crowley put the Wings on the board with a power play goal at 5:20 of the second quarter with a rocket from the slot to cut the Rock lead 2-1, but Patrick Merrill put the Rock on top 3-1 as we headed into the intermission. Both Miller and Rose where the talk of the first half with there spectacular play. Wings were outshot 32-21 in the first half.
As we started the third quarter the Wings came out strong with two goals by Brodie Merrill and Drew Westervelt(1st of season) only 1:05 apart tying the game at 3. But goals by Kasey Biernes and Garrett Billings ended the third quarter exactly were we where at the half with the Rock having a two goal lead 5-3
As we start the final quarter, Kevin Crowley notches his second of the game on the power play to cut the Rock lead to 5-4. The Rock extended there lead with back to back goals by their captain Colin Doyle putting them up 7-4. But that would be it for the Rock, as the Wings go on a four goal run. Goals by Joel White (1st of career) and Kevin Ross thirty seconds apart pulled the Wings within a goal at 7-6. Crowley’s third goal of the evening at 12:46 knotted the game at 7. Then with 10.9 seconds left, Drew Westervelts second of the game, and the Wings third goal from behind the net give the Wings a hard fought 8-7 victory and sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. Wings outscored the Rock 5-2 in the final quarter.
Colin Doyle 2G/2/A and Garrett Billings 1G/3A lead the way for the Rock. Wings were led by Kevin Crowley 3G/2A, Drew Westervelt 2 goals including game winner. Kevin Buchanan and Paul Rabil had 3 assists each.
Wings went 2-3 on the Power Play and the Rock went 0-2. Brandon Miller stopped 53 of 60 shots he faced and Nick Rose stopped 48 of 56. This game was a classic to watch. Unbelievable goaltending, solid defense from both teams.
This was the Wings third straight victory in Toronto, as they won both meeting in Toronto last season. Both Toronto and Philadelphia are in action twice next weekend.
Toronto Fri January 25 as the Swarm come to town. Then on Saturday night, the Rock travel to Rochester to face the Knighthawks, who are still looking for their first win of 2013. Both games at 7:30 Eastern.
The Wings travel to Buffalo on Saturday night to face the Bandits who they defeated on January 11 by a score of 13-8. Game time is 7:30. Wings then return home for a Sunday afternoon game as the Calgary Roughnecks come to town, game time 4pm.
