Philadelphia Wings Clinch NLL Playoff Berth
April 2, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release
The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) have clinched their first playoff berth since 2008. The Wings currently sit atop the East Division with a 7-5 record and can clinch their first home playoff game since 2002 with two victories this weekend and a loss by the Rochester Knighthawks.
Although they were idle over the weekend, losses by Buffalo and Washington, along with Edmonton's victory over Minnesota on Saturday, clinched a playoff spot for the Wings just one year after finishing last in the East Division at 5-11 in 2011.
The Wings turnaround is due in large part to a plethora of offseason changes that have changed the culture of the team in the locker room as well as the performance on the field. After serving as the team's general manager in 2011, Johnny Mouradian has also assumed head coaching responsibilities this season. Additionally, the Wings added offensive firepower when they acquired Brodie Merrill in an offseason trade, Dan Dawson with the No. 1 overall pick in the dispersal draft and Kevin Crowley with the No. 1 overall pick in the entry draft.
In addition to commanding the locker room, Wings Captain Merrill has been a standout transition player this season with 116 loose balls recovered, tops among non-faceoff men. Dawson is the team's top set-up man with a league-high 68 assists while Crowley is currently second in the NLL with 33 goals scored.
The Wings will return home to play the Minnesota Swarm at Wells Fargo Center on Friday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at WingsLAX.com or by phone at 215-389-WING.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 2, 2012
- Knighthawks Have a Chance to be Kids Again - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mammoth Unveils 'I'm Playing For' Lacrosse out Cancer Campaign - Colorado Mammoth
- Philadelphia Wings Clinch NLL Playoff Berth - Philadelphia Wings
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