Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/3/08

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.