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Wings Prepare for Crucial Home and Home with Mammoth

March 21, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


The Philadelphia Wings (6-4) will face off against the Colorado Mammoth (8-2) in a rare home-and-home series this weekend that will have a pivotal impact on the National Lacrosse League (NLL) playoff picture.

The Wings will travel to Colorado's Pepsi Center for the team's first meeting with the Mammoth Friday, March 23 at 9 p.m. (EST). The Wings will then return to Wells Fargo Center to complete the home-and-home series Sunday, March 25 at 4 p.m., during the team's "Bark in the Bowl" night in which all fans are invited to bring their dogs to the game.

With a win in either game, the Mammoth will increase their season win total to nine and clinch a playoff berth, while the Wings can clinch a berth if the team sweeps the Mammoth this weekend and the Washington Stealth lose both games they play on Saturday and Sunday.

"This is an ideal situation where you play home and away but both teams have a rest on Saturday. It's a lot different than going back-to-back," said Wings Head Coach Johnny Mouradian. "I think the biggest thing with back-to-back games is if you have any tweaks or any pulls that you are able to put other players in the lineup. I think it's a lot better mentally if you're playing the same team."

The Wings and Mammoth currently lead the NLL's East and West Divisions respectively. This weekend's games will feature several candidates for yearly awards in the Wings Dan Dawson and Kevin Crowley and the Mammoth's John Grant Jr. and Adam Jones.

Dawson and Grant Jr. are among the top candidates for the NLL MVP Award and are currently tied for the league lead with 68 points. Dawson has been more of a set-up man, leading the league 55 points while Grant Jr.'s 31 goals are tops in the league.

In the Rookie of the Year race, Crowley and Jones have been among the most impressive first-year players in the NLL this season. Crowley's 29 goals are second in the league and tops among rookies, while Jones holds the rookie lead in assists with 30. Given the players' performances in the head-to-head series, both awards could be decided this weekend. Tickets to all Wings home games are available by phone at 215-389-WING or online at WingsLAX.com.

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