Wings Have Troubled Takeoff in 14-10 Loss to Vancouver

Published on January 4, 2003 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - The Philadelphia Wings' had difficulty taking flight in their 2003 opener with after a difficult loss to the Vancouver Ravens by a score of 19-12 at GM Place. Seven different players from the Ravens squad scored as they faced a young Wings squad, with ten players having two or less years of professional playing experience. The Wings will try to get their season back on track in their home opener next Saturday, January 11 vs. the New York Saints at the First Union Center.

"While we were obviously disappointed by the final outcome of this game, there were several bright spots that we will build upon as we prepare for New York next Saturday," said Wings' coach Adam Mueller. "(Dallas) Eluk had a great performance and I was very pleased with our defensive effort too.."

The Wings netted their first goal of the season at 2:41 of the first quarter with a power play goal by Tony Henderson. The Wings Tom Ryan added another at 5:34, assisted by Henderson to put the Wings up 2-0. The Wings furthered the lead at 10:41 when Jeff Ratcliffe scored on a pass from Keith Cromwell. The Ravens scored their first with :34 in the first quarter with a goal by Peter Morgan. At the end of the first quarter the Wings lead the Ravens by a score of 3-1, with starting goaltender Dallas Eliuk having 14 saves.

It was the Ravens who struck first in the second quarter with a goal by Cam Sedgwick at 1:34. The Ravens tied it up at 4:02 when Matt Dwane netted his first of the season. The Ravens pulled ahead 1:11 seconds later when Sedgwick scored his second of the night to make it 4-3. The Wings fought right back to tie it up :07 later when Ryan netted his second of the night. Vancouver regained the lead on a goal by newly acquired Dan Stroup at 12:57. The Wings came right back as Henderson netted his second goal at the end of the half to tie the score again (5-5) at the half. Eliuk had recorded 24 saves at the half compared to the Raven's Dwight Maetche's 13.

Vancouver started the scoring in the third quarter with Chris Prat's first of the night followed by another Raven's score when Sedgwick recorded a hat-trick at 2:33. The Wings' Cromwell added his second of the night at 3:49 to bring the Wings within one, and then Tom Marechek tied it at seven when he scored his first goal of the season. The Ravens went ahead again on a power play goal during holding penalty on the Wings' Matt Striebel followed by another quick goal :31 seconds later. The Ravens extended their lead by three with a goal by Bruce Alexander before Marechek added his second of the night to pull the Wings back within two. The Ravens extended their lead again when Stroup scored at 12:06. Paul Cantabene scored his first goal as a Philadelphia Wing to bring his team within two again. Sedgwick added his fourth goal of the night at 14:31 to give the Ravens a 12-9 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Ravens started the scoring in the fourth quarter when Morgan scored his second of the night. The Wings' Henderson recorded his hat-trick at 10:31, but it was the Ravens who had the final score of the game when Stroup had his third of the night to make the final score Ravens 14, Wings 10. Eliuk faced 35 shots and the Ravens' Maetche recorded 32 shots in the win.

Tom Marechek led the Wings offense with five points (2G, 3A) each. Five other players scored for Philadelphia, including Tony Henderson with five points (3G, 2A), Tom Ryan with three points (2G, 1A), Paul Cantabene with six points (1G, 5A), Keith Cromwell with three points (1G, 2A), and Jeff Ratcliffe with one point (1G).

Leading the Ravens in scoring was Cam Sedgwick with six points (5G, 1A), Dan Stroup with six points (3G, 3A), Peter Morgan with three points (2G, 1A), Chris Prat with three points (1G, 2A), Matt Dwane with two points (1G, 1A), and Bruce Alexander and Chris Gill with one goal each.

NOTES: Veteran forward and Wings all-time scoring leader Tom Marachek was named captain of the 2003 Wings squad on December 21. Forward Jeff Ratcliffe and defenseman Tom Ryan will serve as alternates this season ... The Wings saw All-Pro Dan Stroup in a Ravens jersey for the first time tonight. Stroup was traded by the Toronto Rock to the Ravens last night ... 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 Colorado Mammoth on December 6 ... Tickets to the Philadelphia Wings home opener next Saturday, January 11 at the First Union Center versus the New York Saints are available at the First Union Center Box Office, at all TicketMaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (215) 336-2000.

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