Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/27/12
The Philadelphia Wings can secure their first home playoff game since 2002 with a road victory over the Rochester Knighthawks in the team’s regular season finale at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
After jumping out to a 7-4 record to begin the season, the Wings have faltered as of late, dropping their last four games and currently hold a record of 7-8. Nevertheless, the team can host its first round playoff game at Wells Fargo Center in a decade if they are able to defeat the Knighthawks on Saturday.
“We really have to approach it like any other game,” said Wings Head Coach Johnny Mouradian. “Just win like every other game. If Toronto loses and we win we’re in first place. That’s how easy it is.”
Rochester enters the game off a 14-9 loss to the Buffalo Bandits with a record of 6-9 and can also clinch a home playoff game if they defeat the Wings since they hold the regular season tie-breaker over Philadelphia. The Toronto Rock have already secured one of the two East Division home playoff game with their win last weekend.
“It all comes from effect and we would have a better showing at home and we’re looking forward to have the opportunity to have a home game against Philly again,” said Knighthawks Head Coach Mike Hasen about the prospects of facing Philadelphia in Rochester during the first round of the playoffs.
Round one of the National Lacrosse League playoffs will begin the weekend of May 4.
One Wings player to watch in Saturday’s game is forward Dan Dawson, who will break Philadelphia’s single-season record of 100 points with his first goal or assist against Rochester. The current record is held by former Wings forward Athan Iannucci.
Additionally, Dawson is currently in a two-man race with Rock forward Garrett Billings to set the NLL single season assist record. Currently Billings has 79 assists on the season, while Dawson boasts 77. Both players have already exceeded the record of 74 held by Dawson and Josh Sanderson.
To order your playoff tickets today call 215-389-WING.
