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Bandits Runs Away With Win

February 21, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Wings took the early lead, but couldn't hold on for the win as they fell to Buffalo, 12-8, Saturday at the Wachovia Center in front of 13,686 fans. Each team had won a game in the two previous matchups this season. John Tavares and Mike Accursi each recorded hat tricks for the Bandits, while eight different players scored for Philadelphia.

"We took three offensive penalties and all three killed our momentum," said Wings' coach Adam Mueller. "We had a couple early and then one late penalty and they were able to get on a little run. We were in the game for a little over three quarters of the game. We have to come and play smart lacrosse."

The Wings scored in the opening minute of the game as Brian Tower converted on a pass from Tom Marechek. Philadelphia goalie Dallas Eliuk stopped the first four Buffalo shots, but the Bandits got on the board after seven minutes of play with a Jonas Derks power-play goal. Mike Accursi netted a pair of goals for Buffalo to round out the scoring in the first quarter.

Philadelphia evened the score to start the second quarter. Peter Jacobs tallied the first goal and Keith Cromwell added a goal four minutes later. The Bandits captured the lead again with their second goal of the game on the man advantage, scored by Jason Crosbie. The Wings were able to knot the game at four going into halftime with a late goal by Jeff Ratcliffe. Philadelphia outshot Buffalo, 18-10, in the second quarter.

The Wings struck first for the third straight quarter to take the first lead of the second half. Tom Marechek gave Philadelphia the 5-4 lead, assisted by Ratcliffe. Philadelphia added goals by Dan Marohl and Ryan Ward to take the biggest lead of the game, 7-4. The Bandits battled back with three unanswered goals to end the third quarter. Goals by A.J. Shannon, John Tavares and Accursi evened the game at seven going into the fourth quarter.

Buffalo opened the fourth quarter with Derks' second goal of the game. The Wings answered with Mark Frye's first goal of the game, but the Bandits took the lead and put the game out of reach with two goals each from Mark Steenhuis and Tavares.

Mark Frye led the Wings in scoring with three points (1G,2A). Seven other players scored for Philadelphia, including Keith Cromwell (1G,2A), Peter Jacobs (1G), Dan Marohl (1G,2A), Brian Tower (1G,1A), Tom Marechek (1G,2A), Ryan Ward (1G,1A) and Jeff Ratcliffe (1G,1A).

Mike Accursi led the Bandits in scoring with six points (3G,3A). Five other players scored for Buffalo, including A.J. Shannon (1G,1A), Mark Steenhuis (2G), John Tavares (3G,3A), Jonas Derks (2G,2A) and Jason Crosbie (1G,1A).

NOTES: Forward Jeff Ratcliffe received NLL Offensive Player of the Week honors for his eight points (4G,4A) against Arizona last week. Ryan Ward captured the Rookie of the Week award for his three-point performance...Four members of the Wings were named to the Eastern Division All-Star Team. Forwards Tom Marechek, Jeff Ratcliffe and Jake Bergey, along with defenseman Paul Cantabene, will represent the Wings at the 2004 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO on Sunday, February 22.

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