Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/17/12
The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) will travel to Toronto to face the Rock in a match-up to determine first place in the East Division when they face off at Air Canada Centre on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Rock and Wings are currently tied atop the division with a 3-2 record.
The Wings are coming off a dramatic 14-13 victory over the Buffalo Bandits at Wells Fargo Center last Sunday. The Wings were led by Dan Dawson (1 goal, 9 assists), Kevin Crowley (4 goals, 1 assist), Brodie Merrill (3 goals, 2 assists) and Drew Westervelt, who scored two of his three goals within the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.
Toronto and Philadelphia have already played once this season, at Wells Fargo Center on February 4 when the Rock handily defeated the Wings 15-6.
“We’ve already forgotten about that other game against the Wings,” said Rock General Manager and Assistant Coach Terry Sanderson. “We were on our A game, they were definitely not on theirs and we know it will be a much different challenge on Saturday.”
Wings Head Coach and General Manager Johnny Mouradian also believes that his team made strides last week that should prevent the team from letting the game get out of hand.
“We have to continue how we played the first quarter and seven minutes in the first game against Toronto,” said Mouradian. “It was very close and 5-4 going into the second. Then Josh scored three goals in a row and we couldn’t catch our breath.”
Mouradian also said he thinks the players have improved their mental toughness during the game at Buffalo by withstanding a three-goal run late in the game.
“We need to play aggressively, but in control and have the drive and determination to finish every game,” Mouradian said.
The Wings will return home to Wells Fargo Center against the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday March 3 at 7 p.m.
Tickets to all Wings home games can be purchased at WingsLAX.com or by phone at 215-389-WING.
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