Philadelphia Wings Return to Wells Fargo Center this Saturday

March 31, 2011 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


The Philadelphia Wings (4-8) of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) will host the Toronto Rock (9-3) at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, April 2 at 7 p.m. as the team honors local police officers, firefighters, emergency medical responders and members of the armed services during "American Heroes Night."

Through a partnership with Operation Tribute to Freedom, the Wings will salute Staff Sgt. Juan Ubillus, an Elmira, NJ, resident and Army service member of the Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion. Staff Sgt. Ubillus recently returned home from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as a truck commander and was in charge of a team of soldiers that provided security to convoys.

Series Notes: Overall: Rock leads 20-8 At Philadelphia: Rock leads 9-6 At Toronto: Rock leads 11-2 Last Meeting: March 4, 2011; Toronto won in Toronto 15-10 (Air Canada Centre)

About the Rock: The Rock (9-3) leads the NLL Eastern Division. The team is eighth in the league on the power play at 32% and second on the penalty kill at 68%.

Toronto holds the best record in the National Lacrosse League and has clinched a spot in this year's playoffs. The team boasts the league's widest positive goal differential at +26 and has scored the third most goals this season with a total of 141; the team has also surrendered the third fewest goals - just 115. Toronto is led by second-year forward Stephan LeBlanc, who has recorded 28 goals and 37 assists. Toronto sent four different players to the 2011 All-Star game, including forwards Colin Doyle and Garrett Billings, defenseman Sandy Chapman and goalie Bob Watson. Joining his players, Toronto Rock head coach Troy Cordingley was tapped by the NLL to manage the Eastern All-Stars.

About the Wings: The Wings (4-8) are currently fifth in the NLL Eastern Division. The team is fourth in the league on the power play, converting on 41% of its chances, and eighth on the penalty kill, successfully defending 59% of its opponent's opportunities.

Athan Iannucci leads the Wings in points with 29 goals and 31 assists for a total of 60 points. He is currently tied for sixth in the league for total scoring, and just last week eclipsed the 250 point mark for his career. "Nooch" currently sits two assists shy of his 100th career "helper." The club is proud to have sent two representatives to the 2011 NLL All-Star Game in Verona, New York last month. Brandon Miller was named the Eastern division starting goaltender, while Max Seibald netted a goal to help the East defeat the West by a final score of 30-26.

Coaches' Corner: Wings coach John Tucker on last week's game in Rochester: "It wasn't the result we wanted, but we took a lot of good things away from it. We fought back from an early deficit and worked hard the whole game. We just made one too many mistakes in the fourth quarter. But, those were just little things that can be corrected in practice. I'm still happy with how we played, and we think we can take can a lot of positives from last week."

On playing Toronto with his team's playoff hopes on the line: "We know that Toronto is a tough in the playoffs and will be tough for us this week. We believe we can be a dangerous team, especially if we make the playoffs, regardless of who we have to play to get there."

Rock General Manager Terry Sanderson on his team's match up with Philadelphia: "We're aware of their position in the standings and we're not going to take them lightly. They've played us tough twice this year already and now, with the playoffs on the line, they maybe have a little extra motivation in coming at us. So we're going to be ready."

With the team's schedule winding down, there are just two more chances to see the Philadelphia Wings in action at the Wells Fargo Center this season:

Saturday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. vs. Toronto Rock

Sunday, April 10, at 2:30 p.m. vs. Rochester Knighthawks

Single game tickets start at $10 and are available exclusively through ComcastTIX on line at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Well Fargo Center Box Office. Multigame packs are also available by calling 215-389-WING (9464).



National Lacrosse League Stories from March 31, 2011


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