Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/18/08
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.
