Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/28/11
The Philadelphia Wings, of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), will open the 2012 season at the Wells Fargo Center when they host the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday, January 14 at 7 p.m.
The home opener will offer fans the first opportunity to see the Wings highly touted offseason acquisitions including forward “Dangerous” Dan Dawson, standout transition player Brodie Merrill and #1 draft pick Kevin Crowley. The trio of new Wings is sure to bolster the team’s offensive attack during the 2012 season.
“With the addition of Kevin Crowley along with Drew Westervelt and Dan Dawson we will have the biggest and strongest right side in the NLL,” said Wings General Manager and Head Coach Johnny Mouradian. “Let’s remember that Brodie Merrill scored nine goals last year out the back end running the floor in transition. So we are definitely in a situation to have a more diversified offense which is harder to defend against.”
The Wings will have an early opportunity to capitalize on home field advantage as they open the season by playing four of their first five games at Wells Fargo Center, including a matchup with the defending champion Toronto Rock on Saturday, February 4.
Last year’s Champion’s Cup winners, the Rock relied on a balanced offensive attack and solid goalie play to defeat Rochester, Buffalo and Washington en route to their sixth NLL Championship, tying the Wings for the most in league history. The game against the Rock should offer an early barometer on how far the Wings have progressed from last year’s 5-11 season.
Other home opponents during the first half of the season include the Washington Stealth on Saturday, January 21 and the Buffalo Bandits on Sunday, February 12.
Following the All-Star break, the Wings will square off against the Knighthawks for the second time at Wells Fargo Center before a highly anticipated match-up with Edmonton on Saturday, March 17. During the St. Patrick’s Day game, fans will have their first chance to see former Wings forward Athan Iannucci with his new team, the Edmonton Rush.
Iannucci was drafted by the Wings in 2007 and played five seasons with the team, setting the league record for goals scored in a season in 2008 with 71 goals. This offseason he was traded with forward Alex Turner and goalie Brodie McDonald in exchange for Merrill, and Rush forwards Dean Hill, Mike McLellan.
The Wings will round out their 2012 home games against the Colorado Mammoth on Sunday, March 25, and against the Minnesota Swarm on Friday, April 6. After the match-up with the Swarm, the Wings will hit the road for the final three games of the regular season, concluding with their third game against East Division rival Rochester on Saturday, April 28.
The Wings have jam-packed the 2012 home schedule with promotions and theme nights including among others: Wings alumni night (March 3), a chance to win $50,000 (March 17) and Bark in the Bowl night where fans can bring their dogs to the game (March 25).
Philadelphia Wings individual game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, October 1 at 12 p.m. exclusively through ComcastTIX online at http://www.comcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Wells Fargo Center box office.
To view the full 2012 Philadelphia Wings promotional schedule visit http://wingslax.com/schedule/season/.
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