Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/19/20 – From Press Release
In 2015, the Philadelphia Wings became the Black Wolves and moved from Philadelphia to New England with only six rostered players. The only one of the six still remaining with New England is their captain, Philly’s Brett Manney (NXT Showcase director, Holy Ghost Prep and Delaware grad).
The Wings returned to the National Lacrosse League for the 2018-2019 season with a new franchise, making this rivalry into the NLL’s version of the NFL’s Ravens-Browns matchup. This will be the fourth matchup between the two organizations with the Wings holding a 2-1 advantage after the home team prevailed in every game a year ago.
The first battle tonight at Mohegan Sun Arena (7 PM) between the two in 2020 could easily be considered the biggest game in the new Wings’ short history since the winner will take over first place in the East Division. New England (3-0) is off to its best start in its 6-year history, while Philadelphia (3-1) has won its last three games after dropping the opener.
The Black Wolves will be well rested, having had the last two weeks off, while the Wings are coming off an 18-10 win over Vancouver last Friday in Philadelphia.
Saturday’s game will be New England’s second of six straight at Mohegan Sun Arena, including another matchup with Philadelphia on February 16. Four of the six are against East Division foes, and three are versus opponents sitting in last place in their division, making this six game stretch a point in the season where New England can make some noise and widen their lead on the rest of the division.
Manny is a standout for New England and has 15 loose balls and 3 caused turnovers.
On the other side is another member of that original six as Kevin Crowley (Shipley assistant coach, Fusion Co-Director) is back in Philadelphia after the Black Wolves traded him to the Wings last season. Crowley (9G, 14A) leads the Wings in goals and assists, and is top 10 in the NLL in both categories. Brett Hickey, Josh Currier, and Matt Rambo (La Salle grad, Springside CHA assistant) have also been key contributors to the recent success of the Wings on offense.
East Division
TEAM GP W L GB WPCT GF GA PIM HOME ROAD L-TEN STREAK
New England 3 3 0 – 1.000 45 27 35 1-0 2-0 3-0 W3
Philadelphia 4 3 1 0.5 .750 47 41 43 1-0 2-1 3-1 W3
Georgia 4 2 2 1.5 .500 47 39 48 1-2 1-0 2-2 L2
New York 5 0 5 4 .000 41 73 70 0-2 0-3 0-5 L5
TOTALS 16 8 8 – .500 180 180 196 – – – –
North Division
TEAM GP W L GB WPCT GF GA PIM HOME ROAD L-TEN STREAK
Halifax 4 4 0 – 1.000 53 35 54 3-0 1-0 4-0 W4
Toronto 4 3 1 1 .750 48 41 50 1-1 2-0 3-1 W3
Buffalo 3 2 1 1.5 .667 39 35 52 1-1 1-0 2-1 W1
Rochester 4 0 4 4 .000 39 55 32 0-2 0-2 0-4 L4
TOTALS 15 9 6 – .600 179 166 188 – – – –
West Division
TEAM GP W L GB WPCT GF GA PIM HOME ROAD L-TEN STREAK
Saskatchewan 4 3 1 – .750 40 33 32 0-1 3-0 3-1 W2
Colorado 6 3 3 1 .500 56 55 72 1-1 2-2 3-3 L2
Calgary 4 2 2 1 .500 42 34 82 0-2 2-0 2-2 L1
Vancouver 6 2 4 2 .333 57 69 78 2-2 0-2 2-4 W1
San Diego 5 1 4 2.5 .200 47 64 57 0-3 1-1 1-4 L1