Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/19
    Ryan Boyle collected three goals and two assists and the two-time defending champion Philadelphia Barrage opened their Major League Lacrosse season Sunday by defeating the Washington Bayhawks, 17-12, at the Virginia Beach SportsPlex.
    All of Boyle’s goals came in a 7-0 spurt by the Barrage in the final 10 minutes of the opening period when Philadelphia seized a 9-2 lead.
    Bobby Horsey (West Chester East) scored three goals for the Barrage and goalkeeper Brian Dougherty (Episcopal Academy) posted 19 saves. Roy Colsey added two tallies for Philadelphia.
    Bill McGlone (Ridley) had a goal and an assist for the Bayhawks.
Chicago 10, San Francisco 9
    Former Barrage assistant coach Tom Slate (Springfield-Delco) made his head-coaching debut for the visiting Dragons in a heartbreaking loss at Chicago.
    The Machine scored four unanswered goals to erase an 8-6 deficit. Tim Booth led the Dragons with three goals and
Barrage taking aim on 3rd straight MLL title

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/15
    Maybe the Philadelphia Barrage should be called “America’s Lacrosse Team.”
    The two-time defending Major League Lacrosse champions open their season Sunday against the Washington Bayhawks at Virginia Beach, Va. Due to the pending sale of the team, none of the Barrage games will be played in Philadelphia; instead the team’s “home” games will be played mostly at sites the league is considering for possible expansion.
    Regardless of where the games are held, the Barrage return their entire team intact. That alone makes Philadelphia a leading contender for the title. It also makes it a target for all to take aim.
    “I think once you win it the first time, people come at you,” said Barrage fourth-year coach Tony Resch. “After you win it twice, people sort of say, ‘Anybody but them.’
    “So, we certainly know every game will be huge test. It always is at this level. All the teams are so talented.
    “But when you’re wearing a bulls-eye – make that two bulls-eyes, it’s that much more of a challenge. Then, you have the unique circumstances of the schedule, and it adds another level (of difficulty).”
    Fortunately for Resch, he does not have to start over in building a championship-caliber team.
    The Barrage, who tied Rochester atop the Eastern Division at 9-3 last year and defeated Los Angeles, 16-13, in the title game, featured both balance and depth last year. Four players – Ray Colsey (27 goals), Ryan Boyle (26), Michael Springer (26) and MLL championship game MVP Matt Striebel (25) – shared the scoring leadership last year. Other key weapons are Seth Goldberg (18 goals), Justin Smith (14) and Jed Prossner (13).
    Boyle, Springer and Goldberg and Prossner are attackers while Colsey, Striebel and Smith are middies. Kevin Cassese (Lehigh head coach), Andy Corno, Matt Zash and Bobby Horsey (West Chester East) are other keys at midfield. Leading the defense are Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco), Joe Ceglia, Brett Moyer (Ridley) and hard-hitting Brian Spallina. Bill McKinney (Penn Charter) is on the practice squad. (CONTINUE)

Wings' forward Iannucci named NLL's 2008 MVP

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/15
    Philadelphia forward Athan Iannucci, who shattered the league’s single-season scoring record with 71 goals, was named the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Reebok Most Valuable Player for the 2008 season.
    Iannucci is only the second Wings player to win the award. Lacrosse great Gary Gait won three straight MVP awards as a member of the Wings between 1995 and 1997.
    “Winning the MVP award is a great honor,” Iannucci said. “I owe my success this season to all of my teammates and coaches who made me a better player out on the field.
    Iannucci broke Gait’s record of 61 and also received the NLL’s Player of the Month Award three times (January, February, April), a league first. Iannucci won the league’s scoring race (100 points) and led all forwards in loose balls (138).
    Iannucci, who was named to the NLL’s First-Team All-Pro squad, was selected to his first All-Star Game in 2008 and was the Wings only starter in the game.
    In only his second season, Iannucci is already moving up many of the Wings All-Time lists. He is sixth on the Wings All-Time goal scoring list (98) and tenth in Wings history in overall scoring with 147 points (98 goals, 49 assists).
    Iannucci was drafted by the Wings in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft, and finished his rookie season with 47 points (27 goals, 20 assists) and was third overall in scoring for the Wings.

    Before joining the Wings, Iannucci was a standout at Hofstra University where he was the second-leading scorer in 2006 with 80 points (62 goals, 18 assists) in 19 games.
    The Wings finished 10-6 and tied with three other teams atop the Eastern Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2002. They fell to the Buffalo Bandits, 14-12, in the first round.
    “I am excited about the future of this team,” Iannucci said. “We are a young, talented group and we plan to build on the success we had this season.”
    The Wings also placed transition player Geoff Snider on the All-Pro Second Team. Snider, the MVP of the 2008 NLL All-Star Game, broke the Wings’ single-season loose ball record by collecting 244. 
    Snider also matched the single season record for face-off wins with 318, tying teammate Peter Jacobs who won the same number of face-offs during the 2005 season. Snider led the NLL with 103 penalty minutes in 2008, a new NLL single season record.

Thomson, Rooney earn NLL all-Rookie honors

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/14
    Philadelphia Wings forwards Merrick Thomson and Jamie Rooney were selected as members of the 2008 National Lacrosse League (NLL) All Rookie Team
    Thomson, the Wings’ top draft choice (2nd overall) in this year’s NLL Entry Draft, had a standout first season with the Wings, recording 55 points (26 goals, 29 assists), second only to Minnesota’s Craig Point (61). In his first year out of the University at Albany, Thomson was named Rookie of the Week in Week 4 this season, and was also named Rookie of the Month for January.
    The Wings selected Rooney in the second round (22nd overall) in the 2008 NLL Dispersal Draft from Arizona. He finished the 2008 season with 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) and 59 loose balls.
    Rooney’s season was highlighted by his five-point performance (two goals, three assists) in the Wings’ 19-11 victory over Chicago in the team’s first game. He also scored the goal that forced overtime in the Wings’ 15-14 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bandits Jan. 26.

Wings fall to Buffalo in NLL playoffs, 14-12

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/3

    The Buffalo Bandits rallied in the final period to eliminate Philadelphia, 14-12, Friday in the first round of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) playoffs.
    The Bandits trailed, 10-9, heading into the fourth period, but scored five of the next six goals to seize an insurmountable 14-11 edge. The Wings were making their first NLL playoff appearance in six years.
    “This was really the first time for this team going through this,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “We were playing in Buffalo’s building in front of a tough crowd. We stayed in it through the whole game and I was proud of our effort.”
    The Wings got off to a quick start taking a 4-2 lead after the first quarter. The Bandits stormed back in the second, scoring five straight goals, taking an 8-6 lead going into halftime.
     Bufalo scored early in the second half, but Jamie Rooney (three goals, one assist) scored unassisted for the Wings, Jake Bergey (three goals) scored twice and Athan Iannucci (four goals) added another tally for a 10-9 lead.
    Buffalo scored twice within 48 seconds to take an 11-10 lead, but Philadelphia’s Merrick Thomson (one goal, three assists) tied it midway through the fourth period. Mike Accursi (four goals, three assists) then put the Bandits ahead for good
    Goaltender Mike Thompson made 46 saves for Buffalo, which advances to the Eastern Division semifinals against the winner of tonight’s game between New York and Minnesota.

Wings' Iannucci earns another NLL award

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/30
    The Philadelphia Wings’ Athan Iannucci was awarded the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Player of the Month for the third time this year.
    Iannucci had 35 points (25 goals, 10 assists) in six games during the month of April and broke the NLL’s single-season record for goals with 71.
    “Athan’s accomplishments this season are quite remarkable given that this is only his second professional season,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to develop as a lacrosse player and I think he’ll be a star player in this league for many years.”
    Iannucci, who had 29 assists, finished the 2008 regular season as the NLL’s leading scorer with 100 points. He also led all forwards with 138 loose balls. After being drafted by the Wings in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft, the 25-year-old finished his rookie season with 47 points (27 goals, 20 assists) and was third overall in scoring for the Wings.
    The Wings face the Buffalo Bandits in the first round of the NLL Champion’s Cup Playoffs Friday at 7:30 p.m. at HSBC Arena. Both teams finished with 10-6 records along with New York and Minnesota, but Buffalo won the top seed by virtue of tiebreakers.
Snider sets three league marks    

     Second-year transition player Geoff Snider of the Wings broke or tied three different NLL single-season records this season. Snider set a league mark with 244 loose balls, breaking the record of 226 set by league great Jim Veltman.
    Snider also matched the single season record for face-off wins with 318. With this mark he tied teammate Peter Jacobs, who won the same number of face-offs during the 2005 season. Snider had a 73.8 percent face-off winning percentage on his way to tying the record, which is second in league history to his own record of 75 percent, which he set in 2007.
    Snider also was no stranger to the penalty box in 2008, as he also set the record for most penalty minutes in a season with 103 total minutes. The Washington Power’s Brian Reese had the mark of 98 minutes worth of penalties in 2002.
    In 2008 Snider was second on the Wings in assists with 38 and fourth in total points with 51.

Wings head to playoffs with clutch win, 15-14

Phillylacrosse.com, posted 4/28
    The Philadelphia Wings gained some momentum entering the National Lacrosse League playoffs Sunday by defeating the host Toronto Rock, 15-14, on a shorthanded goal by Athan Iannucci with 44 seconds left in the game.
    The win capped a 10-6 season for the Wings and their first playoff berth since 2002. The Wings face the East Division Champion Buffalo Bandits (also 10-6) in the first round of the NLL Playoffs at HSBC Arena on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
    “We have to play four consistent quarters to be successful during the playoffs,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “Fortunately our offense had a great start this afternoon, and we were able to hang on for the win.”
    The Wings offense came out strong, outscoring the Rock 8-2 in the first quarter. Toronto drew within 13-11 after three periods and tied it, 14-14, on a goal by Aaron Wilson with 4:40 to play.
    Iannucci’s game-winner gave him 71 goals for the year, 10 more than the former league record of 61 by Colorado’s Gary Gait.
    Iannucci finished the game with four goals while Jason Crosbie and A.J. Shannon each had two goals and an assist. Jake Bergey and Merrick Thomson had a goal and two assists apiece while goalies Rob Blasdell (30 saves) and Brandon Miller (29 saves) split the goaltending duties. 

Rochester loss puts Wings in NLL playoffs

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/27
    The Philadelphia Wings clinched their first National Lacrosse League playoff berth since 2002 Saturday when the New York Titans defeated the Rochester Knighthawks, 12-11, at Madison Square Garden.
    That outcome knocked the Knighthawks (8-8) out of contention in the Eastern Division. The Titans clinched a spot and are tied for first at 10-6, along with Minnesota and Buffalo, the division’s top seed by virtue of tiebreakers.
    The Wings (9-6) finish the 2008 regular season today against the Toronto Rock at Air Canada Centre at 7:30 p.m. Regardless of the outcome of that game, the Wings will finish in the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division and will play Buffalo in the first round of the NLL playoffs on Friday at HSBC Arena at 7:30 p.m.

Wings need win Sunday to make NLL playoffs

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/26
    The struggling Philadelphia Wings try to salvage a National Lacrosse League playoff berth Sunday (1 p.m.) when they travel to Toronto for their regular-season finale.
    Philadelphia (9-6), which started 7-1 but has lost five of seven games, can clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2002 with a win or if Rochester loses to the New York Titans tonight.
    Toronto is 7-8.
    This will also mark the last game for the Rock’s Jim Veltman as a player after a 16-year professional career. Toronto will feature a pre-game ceremony to honor Veltman.
    “It is make or break,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “I’m also very excited to be able to participate in Jim’s last game, but we have another mission. Overall, I think it will be a great afternoon in Toronto.”
    The Wings’ offense is led by forwards Athan Iannucci (league-record 67 goals, 28 assists) and Jake Bergey (28 goals, 29 assists). Center Geoff Snider has also been instrumental for the Wings, winning 291 of 399 face-offs this season. Goaltender Brandon Miller made 43 saves against New York last weekend and has a 78.5 percent save percentage.
    Lewis Ratcliff has recorded 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) for the Rock in the past four games, and Blaine Manning leads Toronto in points with 71 (27 goals, 44 assists).
    So far, Buffalo and Minnesota (both 9-6) have clinched berths in the Eastern Division. The Wings and the Titans (9-6) are one game ahead of Rochester.

Wings bow to Titans in front of crowd of 17,340

Phillylacrosse.com, posted 4/20
    The largest home crowd in six years watched the host Philadelphia Wings suffer an 11-8 loss to New York Saturday in a key National Lacrosse League contest at the Wachovia Center.
    Before a throng of 17,340 fans, the Wings failed to clinch a playoff berth and fell into a three-way tie for second place in the Eastern Division with a 9-6 record. New York and Buffalo are also 9-6 and Minnesota leads the division with a 9-5 record.
    The Wings close their regular season next Sunday at Toronto.
    “It was a terrific effort by both teams,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “We had a good defensive battle, but the Titans were able to convert on more opportunities.”
    The Titans led, 5-3, at halftime and then used a 3-0 spurt in the third period to seize an 8-4 lead. The Wings drew within 8-7 on goals by Geoff Snider, Shawn Nadelen and a power-play goal by league record-setter Athan Iannucci, but New York scored three of the final four goals to ice the game.
    Iannucci, who last week set the league single-season scoring mark, increased his record to 67 by scoring four goals. A.J. Shannon added a goal and two assists while goaltender Brandon Miller made 43 saves.
    The Titans were led by Pat Maddalena, who collected four goals and six assists; and Brendan Mundorf, who had two goals and five assists. Goaltender Matt Vince had 36 saves.

Wings look to clinch playoff berth vs. N.Y.

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/18
    The Philadelphia Wings can clinch a berth in the National Lacrosse League playoffs Saturday night (7:30) in their final regular-season home game as they host the New York Titans at the Wachovia Center.
    The teams have split in their two previous games.
    “Our ownership and our fans, and I think only two of our players, Jake (Bergey) and Pete (Jacobs), were around when the Wings last made the playoffs, so for that group its been a long slump,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “For the group that we have now and for me personally, it’s really about this year and about this game.”
    “There are two things I’m going to be really happy for, the ownership, our fans and our few vets, getting the opportunity to return to the playoffs. But I think I’m more excited for who we are now and what we have accomplished this year.”
    The previous games between these two rivals were fast paced and high scoring; the first game was on Feb. 29 at the Wachovia Center, which the Wings won, 16-12. The Titans took the second game, on March 22 at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, N.J., by a 20-13 count. 
    The Wings will honor Athan Iannucci for breaking the league’s all-time single-season scoring mark last week in Minnesota during a special halftime presentation. Iannucci broke Gary Gait’s former record of 61 goals and has 63 overall with two games remaining.
    The presentation will consist of a goal highlight film with congratulations from former record holder Gait. Also, Wings Owner/President Russ Cline will present Iannucci with an award for his accomplishments.

    NOTES: Mad Dog and PAWS have teamed up to find loving families for his friends; doors open for the adoption at 6:30 p.m. and will last until half time. PAWS volunteers will have several dogs available for on-site adoptions, as well as additional adoption information.
    The Wings will also be accepting donations for PAWS. Fans are encouraged to donate pet related items, including: Kong Brand dog toys and other busy bones, cat and kitten toys, KMR kitten formula, new/used dog crates (all sizes), new/used animal carriers (all sizes), towels/blankets, bleach and laundry detergent. Anyone making a donation will be entered to win a drawing for an autographed Wings jersey
    The Wings will also be selling copies of the Philadelphia Flyers’ Rebels For A Cause program book from this year’s Flyers Wives Fight For Lives Carnival. The book features pictures of the Flyers and their pets including posed and candid shots and will be available for $20 with the proceeds benefiting PAWS.

 Wings' Iannucci given two honors by NLL

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/16
    Record-setting forward Athan Iannucci of Philadelphia has been named the National Lacrosse League’s Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week.
    Iannucci had nine goals and five assists in two games last week and became the NLL’s all-time single-season leader for goals by upping his mark to 63. The old mark was 61 by Colorado’s Gary Gait in 2003.
    Iannucci had six goals and two assists in the Wings’ 13-10 win over Portland and then had three more goals in a 15-14 overtime loss to the Minnesota Swarm.
    “We’re very proud of Athan and what he’s been able to achieve this season,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “He continues to be a big part of our team’s success.”
    Iannucci has 20 more goals than his closest competition. The Hofstra University graduate also has 27 assists and has scooped 122 loose balls through 14 games for the 9-5 Wings. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Wings in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft.
Wings' Iannucci sets scoring mark in loss
Phillylacrosse.com, posted 4/12
    It was a bittersweet night for the Philadelphia Wings’ Athan Iannucci.
    The second-year forward scored three goals and broke the National Lacrosse League’s single-season scoring record with two games left in the campaign.
    But Iannucci’s Wings suffered a gut-wrenching 15-14 overtime loss to the host Minnesota Swarm (9-4) Saturday night as Sean Pollack scored the game-winner 1:19 into OT, knocking Philadelphia out of first place in the NLL’s Eastern Division.
    Iannucci has 63 goals. The old mark of 61 was set by Colorado’s Gary Gait in 2003.
    Tallies by Geoff Snider and David Mitchell gave the Wings (9-5) a 14-13 lead late in the game. But the Swarm tied the game with just one second in regulation on a power play goal by former Wing Dan Marohl.
    “This was an incredibly challenging weekend with the back to back games and some of the travel challenges we faced,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “I’m very proud of how these guys came back in the second half.”
    After the Wings scored three quick goals in the first quarter to take a 3-1 lead, Minnesota scored nine unanswered goals and led 10-3 at halftime.
    Wings goaltender Rob Blasdell was pulled 4:56 into the second quarter after the Swarm’s eighth goal of the game. Brandon Miller came on in relief and soon the Wings began to peck away at the lead.
    For the second straight night, the Wings offense came alive in the second half. Iannucci tied the record of 61 on a power play goal at 6:04 of the third period and broke the record on an even-strength goal at 8:52 in the third.
    Rookie Merrick Thomson had two goals and three assists for the Wings while Snider added three goals and AJ Shannon had a goal and two assists. Mitchell and Drew Westervelt each scored two goals and Jamie Rooney had a goal and an assist.    

    Goaltender Blasdell made 10 saves and Miller made 29.
    Andy Secore led the Swarm with six points (three goals, three assists) while goaltender Nick Patterson made 35 saves.

Iannucci moves closer to record in 13-10 win
Phillylacrosse.com, posted 4/12
    Athan Iannucci inched within one goal of breaking the league's single-season record for goals by tallying six Friday as the Philadelphia Wings bested the host Portland Lumberjax, 13-10, in National Lacrosse League action.
    Iannucci has 60 goals in 13 games and has three games to beat Gary Gait’s mark set in 2003 for Colorado. Tonight the first-place Wings (9-4) meet second-place Minnesota (8-4) in St. Paul in a key battle of Eastern Division powers.
    Portland took a 3-0 lead early in Friday’s game, but Iannucci (two assists) scored to make it 3-1 and the Wings trailed just 5-4 at halftime.
    In the second half, Iannucci and Jake Bergey (two goals, three assists) late a late charge and goalie Brandon Miller posted 45 saves.
    “Good teams find ways to win and this team found one tonight,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “Brandon (Miller) and the defense played an unbelievable game and our offense came alive late.”
    A.J. Shannon, Merrick Thomson, Jason Crosbie, Brett Moyer, and Jamie Rooney all scored once for the Wings. Dan Dawson led the Lumberjax with six goals.

Wings gear for two key games this weekend
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/11
    For the second weekend in a row the Philadelphia Wings play back-to-back games in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
    First, they travel to Portland tonight (10:30) to take on the Lumberjax (5-8) at the Rose Garden. On Saturday (8 p.m.) the Wings head to Minnesota to play the Swarm at the Xcel Energy Center in a battle of Eastern Division leaders.
    The Wings and Minnesota are tied with 8-4 records.
    Tonight’s game will be the Wings’ first game against Portland, but coach Dave Huntley feels confident his team is prepared for the challenge.
    “My first thoughts are that they are a very tall and athletic team. It’s going to be difficult to throw through their defense,” stated Huntley. “They have strength in their defense, and Brodie [Merrill] has been terrific for them.”
    Although Portland has shown to be strong defensively, the Lumberjax recognize the offensive threat Wings’ Athan Iannucci will present. Iannucci leads the NLL in scoring (54 goals) and has recorded 76 points.
    Portland’s offense is led by Dan Dawson with 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists) and Derek Malawsky with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists).
    Following Friday’s game, the Wings will continue on to Minnesota play the Swarm for the second time this season. The first game on February 22 was tight in the first three periods, but the Wings scored 11 goals in the fourth quarter to cruise, 17-8.
    “If anyone thinks that we are nine goals better than Minnesota, they are sadly mistaken,” Huntley said. “I don’t think that any team in this league is nine goals better than anybody.”
    Iannucci is shooting for the league mark for goals in a season. In 2003, Gary Gait set the record at 61 goals while playing for the Colorado Mammoth. Iannucci has four games to set the mark and is averaging 4.5 goals per game.
Iannucci looking to set NLL scoring record

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/8
    Philadelphia Wings second-year forward Athan Iannucci continues to score at a record pace and is a near bet to break the National Lacrosse League (NLL) record for goals in a season in the coming weeks.
    Iannucci, with 54 goals, is seven from tying the league mark of 61 goals set by the Colorado Mammoth’s Gary Gait in 2003. Iannucci is averaging 4.5 goals per game and the Wings have four regular season games remaining.
    Philadelphia plays Friday at the Portland LumberJax at the Rose Garden and Saturday at the Minnesota Swarm at the Xcel Energy Center.
    “Athan is a very gifted lacrosse player,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “It’s amazing that in his second year as a pro that he has been able to play at such a high level each night. He is an instrumental part of the team success that we have had this season.”
    Iannucci, who scored his 54th goal in the Wings’ 11-9 win over the Toronto Rock Sunday, is currently tied for fourth on the NLL’s single-season goal scoring list with Paul Gait (Washington, 2002) and John Grant (Rochester, 2006).

    The top three spots are all held by Gary Gait, who also played for the Wings from 1993-97.
    The current NLL single-season goal record, 61, is a significant number in all of sports. Roger Maris recorded 61 home runs during the 1961 season to break Babe Ruth’s previous mark of 60; Maris’ record stood for 38 years.
    In basketball, Los Angeles Laker Elgin Baylor scored 61 points in game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals game versus the Boston Celtics, a single game NBA Finals record.
    In hockey, Wayne Gretzky holds or shares 61 different records, including the most goals scored through the first 50 games of a season, which he set in the 1981-82 season when he netted 61 goals.

Wings halt 3-game skid; topple Toronto, 11-9

Phillylacrosse.com, posted 4/7
    Athan Iannucci scored four goals to help host Philadelphia down Toronto, 11-9, Sunday night, snapping a three-game losing streak in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
    A crowd of 10,244 at the Wachovia Center saw goalie Rob Blasdell make 51 saves as the Wings moved back into a first-place tie with Minnesota (both 8-4) in the Eastern Division with four games left in the season.
    “Our defense played great all night,” said Wings Dave Huntley. "We got a little off the mark (the last few games) but it seemed like we got back on track. This was an important game."
    After a 1-1 first period, Iannucci scored three of his goals and Merrick Thomson (two goals, three assists) added another as the Wings took a 5-3 halftime edge.
    Toronto’s Blaine Manning scored the first goal of the second half, but Philadelphia netted four unanswered goals, by Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco), John Christmas (Lower Merion), Iannucci and Jamie Rooney to go up by five with one quarter remaining.
    Jake Bergey and Christmas each finished with a goal and three assists. Sweeney added one assist. Ryan Benesch led the Rock in scoring with four points (three goals, one assist).

Wings fall in OT, drop third straight game
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/6
    Bobby McBride scored just seven seconds in overtime to give host Chicago a 15-14 victory over Philadelphia Saturday in the National Lacrosse League.
    The loss was the third straight for the Wings (7-4), who fell out of first place in the Eastern Division, one-half game behind Minnesota (8-4).
    The Wings had taken a 14-13 lead late in the game on goals by Athan Iannucci and John Christmas (Lower Merion). But Chicago pulled its goaltender and Kevin Ross scored late in regulation off an assist from Bill McGlone (Ridley) to tie the game.
    “Chicago played strong in the first quarter and had great goaltending,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “Our last three quarters were very strong, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the six goals we were down after the first.”
    Chicago got off to a strong start in the first quarter, outscoring the Wings, 9-3. Wings’ rookie David Mitchell finally got his team back on the board at the beginning of the second which started a three goal run for Philadelphia. The Shamrox were held to one goal in the second quarter and the Wings were able to pull within four goals by the half, 10-6.
    Leading the Wings in scoring were Iannucci (four goals, two assists), Christmas (one goal, four assists), Merrick Thomson (three goals, one assist), A.J. Shannon (two goals) and Drew Westervelt (one goal, one assist). Goaltender Brandon Miller had 51 saves.
    Leading the Shamrox in scoring was Cody Jacobs (two goals, three assists) while former Wings goalie Matt Roik posted 48 saves.
    Notes: Wings forward Iannucci scored his 50th goal of the season on his fourth goal of the night at 6:58 in the fourth quarter. Iannucci is 11 goals away from tying the NLL’s single season scoring record (61) set by Gary Gait of the Colorado Mammoth in 2003.
    The Wings face the Toronto Rock tonight at 8:00.

Wings have two key games this weekend

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/4
    The Philadelphia Wings face a critical weekend in National Lacrosse League (NLL) play as they travel to Chicago to face the Shamrox on Saturday at the Sears Centre at 8:00 p.m. On Sunday (8 p.m.), the Wings will host the Toronto at the Wachovia Center.
    The Wings defeated the Shamrox the first time the teams met in Chigao, 19-11, on Jan. 12. The Shamrox have improved as the 2008 season progressed by adding Cody Jacobs and former Wings goaltender Matt Roik to their 23-man roster.
    “Their record in the last few games is more reflective the quality of the team that they are than what is was in their first few games,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “Matt has been terrific for them, as he was for us last year. Also,

    "I have been really impressed by Jacobs; he put on quite a performance last weekend – so we will have our hands full this weekend.”
    Jacobs has scored 11 goals in four games and was named the NLL Player of the Week for his performance against Minnesota. Jacobs has stepped up at a critical point in the season, after the announcement that Chris Panos will be out for the season due to injury.
    In the second half of the weekend, the Wings will host The Rock in a game postponed last month due to inclement weather in Toronto. Just like the Shamrox the Rock have added offensive firepower with the acquisition of forward Lewis Ratcliff from Calgary in exchange for forward Josh Sanderson.
    Although the Wings have lost three of their last four games they are focused on maintaining their style of play and will take on each challenge one at a time.
    “If anything we’re going to play faster; because we’re the kind of team that if we play fast we do well,” said Huntley. “We’re very confident in the guys we have and we are comfortable with our playing style.”
    The Wings (7-3) currently lead the NLL’s East Division by a half game over Minnesota, and forward Athan Iannuccci leads the league in goals scored at 46. Jake Bergey (24 goals, 23 assists), Merrick Thomson (17 goals, 16 assists) and Jamie Rooney (14 goals, 18 assists) have also made significant offensive contributions this season.

Wings suffer second straight loss, 20-12

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/30
    The host Rochester Knighthawks scored their season high in goals and thumped Philadelphia, 20-12, Saturday in the National Lacrosse League, dealing the Wings their second straight road loss.
    “They are a very explosive team and we found that out tonight,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “We had trouble getting into a rhythm and against a team as talented as Rochester you need that constant pressure to be successful.”
    Rochester (5-6) led 6-2 after the first period and 13-7 at halftime. The Wings (7-3) drew within 14-11 in the third period with the help of three goals by Athan Iannucci, but the Knighthawks outscored Philadelphia 6-1 in the final period.
    Geoff Snider had three goals and two assists for the Wings while Jake Bergey added two goals and three assists. Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco) added a goal and an assist while John Grant led Rochester with four goals and four assists and Ken Millen had three goals and four assists.

Wings hope to rebound against Rochester

Phillylacrosse.com, posted 3/28
    The Philadelphia Wings hope to rebound from a tough loss last week when they visit the Rochester Knighthawks Saturday night (8:05) at the Blue Cross Arena.
    Last weekend the Wings tasted defeat for the second time this season with a 20-13 loss to the New York Titans. They still lead the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Eastern Division with a 7-2 mark, one-half game ahead of Minnesota.
    “When you play as aggressively as we play, the scores of our games are always going to be in the 30s; we were just on the wrong end last week,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “I'm not really too concerned about if we lose by seven or lose by one, the bottom line is we lost.

    "We’re not off track, but we have to keep going and keep playing the type of high-risk lacrosse that we play.”
    The Wings edged the Knighthawks, 15-14, when the teams first met on Jan. 18.
    The Wings’ aggressive transition attack has yielded 138 goals this year. They are led by Athan Iannucci, the league leader in goals (43) and points per game (6.8).

    Veteran Jake Bergey has posted 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) and rookies Merrick Thomson (17 goals, 16 assists) and Jamie Rooney (17 goals, 16 assists) have also made significant contributions. Goaltender Rob Blasdell has led the Wings defense with 335 saves and a 13.50 goals against average.
    The Knighthawks, last year’s NLL champions, are struggling at 4-6 this season. Their offense is led by John Grant (31 goals and 34 assists) and Scott Evans (26 goals, 21 assists). Goaltender Pat O’Toole has made 334 saves and is expected to start in goal for the Knighthawks this weekend.
    NOTES: Wings have added Brian Beisel, a tenth-year free agent, to their 23-man roster effective March 25.

 Titans rout Wings, 20-13,with early surge

Phillylacrosse.com, posted 3/23
    Casey Powell and Ryan Boyle scored four goals each and host New York used a 6-1 spurt in the second period to defeat the Philadelphia Wings, 20-13, Saturday in National Lacrosse League action before 5,239 at the Sovereign Center in Trenton.
    “We took a few costly penalties tonight, but overall we just didn’t play strong lacrosse,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. "We knew that New York was a dangerous team and we just didn’t match their effort."
    The Knights led 9-6 going into the second half and 11 minutes of Wings penalties in the third quarter resulted in three Titans’ power play goals. Despite scoring two goals shorthanded, Philadelphia was down 15-9 after three period.
    Athan Iannucci led the Wings with five points (four goals, one assist), followed by Geoff Snider (1 goal, five assists), Jake Bergey (two goals, one assist) and Jason Crosbie (two goals). A.J. Shannon, Merrick Thomson, John Christmas (Lower Merion) and Rob Van Beek also scored once. Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco) and goalie Rob Blasdell (23 saves) each added two assists.
    The first-place Wings (7-2) are now one-half game ahead of Minnesota in the eastern Division. New York is 6-5.

Wings gear for start of NLL's second half
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/21
    The first-place Philadelphia Wings open the second half of the 2008 regular season Saturday (7:30) with a National Lacrosse League (NLL) game against the New York Titans at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton.
    Saturday’s meeting will be the second of three games scheduled between the two teams. Philadelphia defeated New York by a score of 16-12 on February 29 at the Wachovia Center.
    The Wings are coming off a big win over San Jose, one of the top squads in the West. The 16-13 victory over the Stealth put the Wings (7-1) one game ahead of the Minnesota Swarm at the top of the East Division
    “I thought we had a great defensive effort in first half against San Jose which kept us in it,” said Philadelphia coach Dave Huntley. "The Stealth is a real good team and we were fortunate to come up with the win. Hopefully we’ll be able to put together a full 60 minutes of lacrosse on Saturday against New York. 
    "We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us in the second half of the season.”
While Huntley sees room for improvement in his team, their play in the first half of the season have made them the team to beat in the NLL.
    “They’re the toughest opponent in the league this year,” said New York coach Adam Mueller. “They’re scoring every which way you can. We need to tighten up more on defense and force them to take some tougher angle shots.
    "They’ve beaten every team they’ve played this season and we’ve got an uphill battle against them.”
After the win over the Stealth on Friday night, Geoff Snider, Athan Iannucci, and Taylor Wray made the long flight to Edmonton early on Saturday morning to participate in Saturday’s All-Star Skills Competition and play in the All-Star Game on Sunday afternoon. 
    The three combined for five of the 17 goals scored by the East Division squad that defeated the West in overtime. Snider also took home MVP honors from the game.
    “I was fortunate to coach Geoff on the Canadian Team in 2006 Field Championship,” said Huntley. “He’s as complete a lacrosse player is as playing the sport today and is definitely an asset to have in big games.”
Wings' Snider named All-Star Game MVP

Phillylacrosse.com, posted 3/17
    The first half of the Philadelphia Wings season has been a rousing success.
    The team is atop the National Lacrosse League’s Eastern Division with a 7-1 record and Sunday the Wings’ Geoff Snider was named MVP of the 2008 All-Star Game in Edmonton when he had three goals and three assists to key the East to a 17-16 overtime victory over the West.
    Snider, a transition player, also picked up 28 loose balls and won 31 of 36 face-offs in the contest. His Philadelphia teammate, Athan Iannucci also had a stellar All-Star Game, scoring one goal along with five assists, including the assist on the game-winning goal by Rochester Knighthawk Shawn Williams 31 seconds into OT.
    Meanwhile, Wings defender Taylor Wray made his way onto the score sheet as well, getting a goal in the fourth quarter on his only shot of the game.

    Overall, Wings players played a role in 11 of the East Division’s 17 goals scored, picked up 32 percent of the team’s loose balls, and took all but two of the team’s face-offs

Iannucci leads Wings' rally past past San Jose

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/15
    All-Star Athan Iannucci scored two key goals as part of a 5-0 run to help the Philadelphia Wings rally past San Jose, 16-13, Friday night in National Lacrosse League action before 11,737 at the Wachovia Center.

    Iannucci, a two-time Player of the Month choice who will start in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Edmonton, followed a goal by Jamie Rooney with his two scores to give the Wings (7-1) a 13-12 lead with just over four minutes left in the game.
    Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco) made it 14-12 with his second goal and newcomer A.J. Shannon scored to make it 15-12. Goalie Rob Blasdell (41 saves) later iced the game with an empty-netter.
    The first-place Wings remain one full game ahead of Minnesota (7-3) in the East Division race.
    “It was a great defensive effort,” said Wings' coach Dave Huntley. “I thought our team showed a lot of character.”
    Iannucci had four goals and two assists while Jake Bergey had two goals and three assists and Rooney had two goals and two assists. Jason Crosbie and All-Star reserve Geoff Snider each had a goal and three assists while John Christmas (Lower Merion) had a goal and two assists. Jim Borell added one goal.
    The Stealth (5-4) outscored the Wings, 4-2, in the third quarter to tie the game at 10 going into the final quarter.  Jeff Zywicki led San Jose in scoring with four goals and two assists.
    The Wings will return home again on Sunday, April 6 to face the Toronto Rock at 8:00 p.m.

Wings back in action after a week off   

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/14

    After an unexpected weekend off, the Philadelphia Wings face the Western Division leading San Jose Stealth tonight (8:00) at the Wachovia Center. A snowstorm prevented the Toronto Rock from traveling to Philadelphia, resulting in the postponement of their game last Saturday.         

    The Wings/Rock contest has been moved to Sunday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m.
    “We really won’t do anything different in practice this week due to the cancelled game,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. “I’m just glad I don’t live in Toronto anymore so I don’t have to shovel all that snow!”
    The minute the Toronto game was rescheduled, the East division-leading Wings (6-1) quickly began to focus on their opponents for this week. San Jose (5-3) has its last three games and finds itself tied with the Colorado Mammoth for the top spot in the West Division.
    “I’ve had a chance to see some of their games on film and have become real familiar with a number of their players - Colin Doyle and Jeff Zywicki in particular,” said Huntley. “One thing that’s interesting about this team is that like us, they have a nice mix of young players and young athletes just learning the game and a nice group of veterans teaching them the game.
    "I think they look somewhat similar to us in the way they’re configured and I think they will present a good challenge for us.”
With the cancelled Toronto game, Philadelphia fans are also anxious to see the two newest Wings, A.J. Shannon and Brandon Miller, in action.
    “We were hoping to have both guys play last weekend,” Huntley said. “Both were at practice Thursday night and both looked terrific and fit. They fit in with the guys like we expected they would. They’re both really great players and really good guys and looked like they’ve been with us since training camp. We expect both of them to help us down the stretch.”
    NOTES-Three Wings All-Stars, forward Athan Iannucci, defenseman Taylor Wray, and transition player Geoff Snider all head to Edmonton on Saturday to play in the NLL All-Star Game on Sunday, March 16.

Wings' game vs. Toronto is postponed

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/8

    Due to severe weather conditions in Toronto, Ontario, the Philadelphia Wings' opponent, the Toronto Rock, are unable to depart Toronto via flights to Philadelphia, forcing the National Lacrosse League to postpone the game featuring the two teams at the Wachovia Center today, Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m., according to team President Russ Cline.

    The game will be rescheduled at a later date with an announcement of this new date expected on Monday, March 10.    

    "It's unfortunate that we have to postpone the game," said Cline. "It's virtually impossible for the Rock to arrive in Philadelphia in a timely manner for our scheduled game. We're asking all of our fans to hold onto their tickets as the game will be rescheduled."

    Wings fans holding tickets for the postponed game are encouraged to hold on to their tickets as they will be honored on the newly rescheduled date. Fans holding tickets for the postponed game may instead exchange them for any other Wings home game at the Wachovia Center, including Friday, March 14, against the San Jose Stealth, or Saturday, April 19, against the New York Titans.

Wings make trades for goalie, forward
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/6
    The Eastern Division leading Philadelphia Wings have acquired forward A.J. Shannon from the Minnesota Swarm and goaltender Brandon Miller from the Chicago Shamrox.
    The acquisitions were part of two trades that sent Wings’ forwards Dan Marohl and Keith Cromwell to the Swarm and goaltender Matt Roik and defenseman Brad Self to Chicago.
    “AJ Shannon is a proven scorer that will add much needed depth to our offense on the left side," said Wings general manager Lindsay Sanderson. “In the case of Miller, we had the opportunity to add another number one goalie to our camp and could not pass that up.
    “The coaching staff and I knew we needed to increase our depth and this move adds two big pieces to the puzzle.”
    The Swarm traded forward Mike Hominuck and a first round pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft to the Edmonton Rush in exchange for Shannon. Minnesota then traded Shannon to the Wings for Cromwell and Marohl.
    The Wings traded Roik, Self, a first round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, and their second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft to Chicago in exchange for Miller and the Shamrox second pick in the 2008 Entry Draft. Self has spent the past two seasons on the Wings’ hold-out list due to commitments playing hockey in Germany. (CONTINUE)
Buffalo deals Wings their first loss, 21-12 

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/2
    After six wins to open the season, the bubble burst on the Philadelphia Wings.
    The Wings led, 6-2, early in their game at Buffalo, but were outscored the rest of the way, 19-6, and dropped a 21-12 National Lacrosse League contest Saturday.
    The defeat still left Philadelphia (6-1) one-half game ahead of Minnesota (6-2) atop the East Division.
    “We knew this game was going to be a challenge being the second game in our first back-to-back weekend,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley, whose team had defeated New York, 16-12, the previous night. “We took a lot of bad penalties throughout the game. We had some opportunities to come back in the fourth, but Buffalo had a hot goaltender and we just couldn’t get back in the game.”
    Philadelphia got off to a quick start, taking leads of 4-0 and 6-2 behind the league’s leading scorer, Athan Iannucci (four goals, one assist) and standout rookie Merrick Thomson (three goals, two assists).
    But the Bandits’ Mark Steenhuis (four goals, six assists), Cory Bomberry (three goals, seven assists), Delby Powless (three goals, five assists), Roger Vyse (three goals, three assists) and Billy Dee Smith (three goals, one assist) led a strong charge.
    Buffalo hit on five of seven power plays in the first half and outscored the Wings, 8-3, in the second period. Down 16-11 going into the fourth, Philadelphia had an opportunity to get back in the game when the Bandits'  Rich Kilgour received a five-minute major for high-sticking.    

    But former Wings goaltender Ken Montour (41 saves) seemed unbeatable, only allowing a single Philadelphia goal in the fourth quarter.
    Also for the Wings, Jason Crosbie had five assists, Drew Westervelt had two goals and two assists, Geoff Snider had a goal and three assists, Jamie Rooney had a goal and two assists and Rob Van Beek added a goal. Goaltender Rob Blasdell had 27 saves in the first 53:02 of play and Jay Preece had eight in the final 6:57.
    The Wings will return home next Saturday to face the Toronto Rock at 1 p.m.

Iannucci leads unbeaten Wings past Titans, 16-12

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/1
    Athan Iannucci proved once again why he is an all-star and the most dangerous offensive player in the National Lacrosse League.
Iannucci scored six goals and added two assists Friday to help the streaking Philadelphia Wings to a 16-12 victory over New York before 11,419 at the Wachovia Center.
    On an evening when four people – including former Wings player and coaching great Tony Resch - were honored for their recent induction into the NLL Hall of Fame, Iannucci continued to shine.
    Recently named a starter for the March 16 All-Star Game in Edmonton, Iannucci now has 31 goals in six games. He is on pace to score 81 goals this season, which would shatter Gary Gait's record of 61.
    With the win, the Wings are 6-0, a full game ahead of second-place Minnesota (6-2) in the East Division race. Philadelphia travels to Buffalo (5-4) for a 7:30 game tonight.
    Friday’s game was tight until the fourth period when the Wings scored four straight goals to ice it. Jake Bergey added two goals and five assists for the Wings while goalie Rob Blasdell made 41 saves on 53 Titan shots.
    “I thought our guys had a tough first half, but we kept on doing the things we’re capable of doing ,” said Wings coach Dave Huntley. "Iannucci has been terrific all year and everybody contributes every day, even if it doesn’t show up on the scoreboard. Everyone’s chipping in and doing what they need to do.”

    Iannucci scored the only goal in the first quarter, while Blasdell stopped all 10 New York shots. Philadelphia took a two-goal lead in the second quarter, but allowed the Saints to climb back after penalty trouble. (CONTINUE)

Wings legend Resch inducted into Hall

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/29
    Former Philadelphia Wings player and coach Tony Resch will be honored as a Hall of Fame inductee at halftime of tonight’s National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame game (8 p.m.) between the host Wings and the New York Titans at the Wachovia Center.
    The Class Of 2008 will be recognized in a special halftime ceremony featuring a video tribute and on-field recognition. This year’s Hall Of Fame inductees include Resch, San Jose Stealth General Manager Johnny Mouradian, former New York Saints goaltender Sal LoCascio, and media member Neil Stevens of the Canadian Press(CONTINUE)