Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/5/12
From Press Release
The Philadelphia Wings, of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), will open the 2013 season at Wells Fargo Center against the Buffalo Bandits on Friday, January 11 at 7 p.m.
After securing their first playoff appearance since 2008 last season, the Wings will look to add to their NLL record-tying six Champions Cups under the leadership of second-year Head Coach Johnny Mouradian.
The Wings return most of their top performers in 2013 including Captain Brodie Merrill (17G, 15A, 157 LB), forwards Dan Dawson (25G, 78A) and Kevin Crowley (36G, 35A) and goaltender Brandon Miller (12.64 GAA). Last season Dawson and Merrill were named to the NLL All-Pro Team while Crowley represented the Wings on the All-Rookie Team.
The Wings season-opening tussle with the Buffalo Bandits will be the first of three meetings with their East Division rival in the 2013 season. Last year the Wings defeated Buffalo in two of their three meetings. Of particular interest will be offseason acquisition Kevin Buchanan’s first game against his former team after being acquired from the Bandits in exchange for David Brock and Mike Hominuck this offseason.
The Wings will hit the road for the first time at the Air Canada Centre to face off against the Toronto Rock on Saturday, January 19. The longtime division rivals will meet for the first of three games, with both teams seeking their seventh NLL Champions Cup.
Other highlights of the first half of the Wings season include back-to-back games against the Rochester Knighthawks at home on Friday, February 8, and on the road Saturday, February 23. The Knighthawks won last year’s Champions Cup after eliminating the Wings in the first round of the playoffs.
With six of the first eight games against East Division opponents, Philadelphia’s early season success may prove pivotal to the playoff picture in late April. The second half of the season features five games against the West Division teams including two against the Washington Stealth and Minnesota Swarm and one game against the Colorado Mammoth. The home-and-home series against the Swarm will mark lefty forward Kevin Ross’s first games against his former team after being acquired from Minnesota this offseason.
The Wings will round out their home schedule on Saturday, April 13, versus the Toronto Rock, in a game that could have playoff implications, before hitting the road for their season finale at Washington on Saturday, April 20.
2013 Philadelphia Wings Schedule
Day – Date – Away – Home – Local Time
Friday, January 11, Buffalo Bandits, Philadelphia Wings, 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 19, Philadelphia Wings, Toronto Rock, 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 26, Philadelphia Wings, Buffalo Bandits, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 27, Calgary Roughnecks, Philadelphia Wings, 4 p.m.
Friday, February 8, Rochester Knighthawks, Philadelphia Wings, 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 23, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 24, Colorado Mammoth, Philadelphia Wings, 4 p.m.
Friday, March 1, Philadelphia Wings, Buffalo Bandits, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 9, Washington Stealth, Philadelphia Wings, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 16, Toronto Rock, Philadelphia Wings, 1 p.m.
Friday, March 29, Philadelphia Wings, Minnesota Swarm, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 30, Philadelphia Wings, Colorado Mammoth, 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7, Minnesota Swarm, Philadelphia Wings, 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, Toronto Rock, Philadelphia Wings, 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, Philadelphia Wings, Washington Stealth, 10 p.m.
Call 215-389-WING (9464) or visit WingsLAX.com to order Season Tickets for the upcoming 2013 Philadelphia Wings season.
