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Philadelphia Pulls Closer to Division Title

March 22, 2003 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Four different players completed hat tricks as the Wings defeated Calgary, 19-13, Saturday at the First Union Center in front of 15,669 fans. The crowd was the largest of the season. Tony Henderson, Tom Marechek, Jeff Spano and Jeff Ratcliffe each scored at least three goals to lead the Philadelphia offense. The Wings lead the Eastern Division of the NLL with an 8-6 record and can clinch the division title with a Colorado loss Sunday.

"It's tough with games on back-to-back nights," said Wings' coach Adam Mueller. "We had to dress 13 of the same guys tonight. We thought they might be a little out of focus because we were tired and wondered if we'd make it through a game at full speed. We got big, timely goals when we needed them and that was huge."

Philadelphia took advantage of a rusty Calgary squad in the first quarter, scoring seven goals on 10 shots. Six different players scored for the Wings. Captain Tom Marechek scored the first and last goals for the Wings, while Ryan Traynor, Paul Cantabene, Tony Henderson, Dan Marohl and Jeff Ratcliffe each contributed with one goal. Calgary goalie Curtis Palidwor was pulled after the fifth goal. The Roughnecks had not played a game in almost three weeks. Tracy Kelusky completed the hat trick for Calgary in the quarter, including a goal with just a second left on the clock and Kaleb Toth added a fourth goal.

Calgary started the scoring in the second quarter with Toth's second goal of the game. Henderson answered with a power-play goal, to make the Wings 3-for-3 on the man-advantage, and Marechek completed the hat trick. The Roughnecks took over with goals by Lewis Ratcliff and Kelusky, but Philadelphia finished the half with a goal by Ratcliffe to take a 10-7 lead into the locker rooms.

The Roughnecks came out firing at the start of the second half and pulled within two with goals by Toth and Kyle Goundrey. Jeff Spano got past the Calgary defense to increase the Wings' lead, but Kelusky answered with his fifth goal of the game on a power play. Philadelphia goals by Cromwell and Spano chased goalie Matt King out of the net and Palidwor returned in goal. The two teams traded goals from Calgary's Shawn Cable and Cromwell to end the quarter. The Wings led, 14-11, with one quarter remaining.

The Wings dominated in the final quarter, leaving no room for a Calgary comeback. Philadelphia started the quarter with goals by Mark Frye, Henderson and Spano. Calgary slid by a goal by Jason Wulder, but the Wings bounced right back with tallies by Ratcliffe and Henderson. A late goal by Calgary's Ratcliff was not enough to help the Roughnecks.

Tony Henderson led the Wings in scoring with seven points (4G,3A). Eight other players scored goals for Philadelphia, including Ryan Traynor (1G), Mark Frye (1G,2A), Paul Cantabene (1G,2A), Tom Marechek (3G,4A), Dan Marohl (1G,5A), Keith Cromwell (2G,4A), Jeff Spano (3G,2A) and Jeff Ratcliffe (3G,4A).

Tracy Kelusky led the Roughnecks in scoring with eight points (5G,3A). Five other players scored for Calgary including Kaleb Toth (3G,1A), Shawn Cable (1G,2A), Lewis Ratcliff (2G,3A), Kyle Goundrey (1G,5A), and Jason Wulder (1G).

NOTES: Six teams will advance to the NLL playoffs. The top teams in each division will automatically clinch playoff sports. The other three teams are determined by overall record. The top two teams will receive a bye in the quarterfinals...Forward Jake Bergey will sit out the 2003 season to recuperate from a torn ACL in his left knee. Bergey suffered the injury in a pre-season game against the Mammoth on December 6...Season tickets are still available for the Wings' 2003 home season by calling 215-389-WINGS. Individual tickets are $27, $23, and $18 in advance ($29, $25, and $20 on game day) and are available at Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley by calling (215) 336-2000 or (856) 338-9000 or on the web at www.ticketmaster.com.

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