Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/2/12

The Philadelphia Wings return home following the NLL All-Star Break to host the Rochester Knighthawks at Wells Fargo Center Saturday at 7 p.m., hoping to improve upon their East Division leading record and avenge an early rout in the team’s season opener.

After opening the 2012 season with a disappointing 22-12 home loss to the Knighthawks on January 14, the Wings rallied to win four of their final six games in the season’s first half and entered the break tied with the Toronto Rock atop the East Division.

Despite their success, the Wings have not forgotten the feeling in the locker room post-game after the home opener and are determined to produce different results this time around. Since defeating the Philadelphia on opening night Rochester has compiled a 2-5 record and currently ranks third in the East Division.

Knighthawks Coach Mike Hasson insists that his team will not take the Wings lightly based on their first meeting.

“They’re getting conformable with each other and they know offensively where they are on the floor and we can tell that Dan Dawson has been taking control of the team and that guys are respecting him and listening to him,” said Hasson. “Their big three on the right are moving the ball well. I think their offensive game is really good. They’ve finally figured it out.”

The Wings were led in the first half of the season by Dan Dawson, with an NLL-leading 39 assists and Kevin Crowley who ranks second in the league with 21 goals.

Saturday’s game will also feature a pre-game ceremony retiring Hall of Fame goal tender and longtime Philadelphia Wing Dallas Eliuk’s No. 35.

Tickets for all Wings home games are available by phone at 215-389-WING or online at WingsLAX.com.