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Philadelphia Wings Look to Steal Win from Buffalo

January 9, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) will begin their 27th season of play at home against divisional rivals the Buffalo Bandits at Wells Fargo Center on Friday, January 11 at 7 p.m. The new-look Wings are setting their sights to challenge for their record seventh NLL Championship after making the playoffs in 2012 for the first time in three seasons.

Tickets and special family packs for the Home Opener and all 2013 Wings home games start at just $10 and are available by phone at 215-389-WING or online at WingsLAX.com.

The Wings had a busy offseason, adding 13 new players to the roster. Philadelphia acquired seven new players through trades, including the sport's biggest star, Paul Rabil. The December trade that sent shockwaves through the league between the Wings and the Rochester Knighthawks, sent Dan and Paul Dawson to Rochester for Rabil, Canadian National team star Jordan Hall and transitional players, Joel White and Robbie Campbell.

The addition of Rabil, Hall, White and Campbell was preceded by trade acquisitions, Kyle Hartzell from the Washington Stealth, Kevin Ross from the Minnesota Swarm and Kevin Buchanan who will be meeting his former team for the first time when the Wings take on the Buffalo Bandits in the Home Opener.

"There have been a lot of changes to this team with13 new players and seven rookies but we are ready to compete," said Wings head coach Johnny Mouradian. "We made a conscious effort to build a roster centered around young, talented U.S. players and our goal is to get back to winning championships."

Philadelphia returns All-Stars Brodie Merrill and Max Seibald (injured) and last season's NLL Rookie of the Year Runner Up and the Wings' top pick in the 2012 NLL Entry draft, Kevin Crowley along with forward Drew Westervelt who led the team with 36 goals last season.

Rookie draft picks, Michael Manley and C.J. Costabile, both from Duke will play in their first professional game Friday night along with Campbell, Ethan Farrell and Brian Teuber.

"We are looking forward to the matchup with Buffalo. I think we match-up well against them," Mouradian said. "They have a lot of young new talent and so do we." This game will mark the first of three contests between the Wings and their long time East Division foe, Buffalo Bandits this season. In addition to opening the 2013 season against the Bandits, the team will play two road games at Buffalo's HSBC Arena.

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