Wings Rock Toronto With 10-8 Win

Published on February 7, 2004 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


TORONTO, ON - The Philadelphia Wings got back on the winning track with a win over the 2003 NLL Champion Toronto Rock by a score of 10-8 at the Air Canada Centre. Forward Jeff Ratcliffe scored the game-winning goal in the contest, which was also his 200th career point. The Wings (3-3) will look to continue their winning ways as they head back to Philadelphia face the Arizona Sting next Saturday, February 14 at the Wachovia Center at 8 p.m.

"I was proud of the way this team came into this building and played tonight," said Wings' Head Coach Adam Mueller. "Our confidence was pretty shaken after the past three games. We avoided bad penalties and were able to move the ball a bit better than we have been."

The Rock started the scoring just 14 seconds into the game when Colin Doyle recorded his first goal of the night. Toronto followed up with an additional two goals in the first five minutes of play to take a 3-0 lead. Dan Marohl of the Wings got his team in the game with two goals less than one minute apart. Toronto's Ken Millin and Philadelphia's Jeff Ratcliffe each scored before the end of the quarter to put the Rock up by a score of 5-3 after one period of play.

Toronto started the scoring in the second when Steve Toll scored at 1:58. The Wings Tom Marechek and Keith Cromwell scored two straight to pull the Wings within one, but the Rock's Doyle scored on a diving shot to keep his team up by two at the end of the half by a score of 7-5. Wings goaltender Dallas Eliuk made 14 saves after two quarters of play while Rock goaltender Anthony Cosmo recorded 15.

A power play goal by Marechek put the Wings within one again just 1:31 into the third quarter. Another power-play goal at 9:49 by Marechek, his third of the night, tied the score at seven between the two teams. Philadelphia took the lead for the first time in the game when Cromwell scored his second goal of the game at 11:18. At the end of three quarters of play the Wings led the Rock, by a score of 8-7.

A tightly fought fourth quarter didn't see its first goal until 11:49 when Ratcliffe scored his second goal of the night and his 200th career point. The Rock's Chris Driscoll scored his team's first goal of the half to pull his team within one, but Ratcliffe scored again at 13:35 to keep the Wings lead at two. The Wings finished the night with a 10-8 win and their first win at the Air Canada Centre since they defeated the Rock in the 2001 NLL Championship.

Tom Marechek led the Wings offense with his five point performance (3G, 2A) followed by Jeff Ratcliffe with three goals, Dan Marohl with five points (2G, 3A), and Keith Cromwell with three points (2G, 1A). Dallas Eliuk finished the night with 34 saves.

Leading the Rock in scoring was Chris Driscoll with three points (2G, 1A). Rock goaltender Anthony Cosmo finished the night with 31 saves.

NOTES: Forward Spencer Martin made his first appearance in a Wings uniform tonight and recorded two assists. Martin was signed as a free agent on Thursday, February 5 by Philadelphia ... "Love Stinks" when the Philadelphia Wings take on the Arizona Sting on Saturday, February 14 at 8 p.m. at the Wachovia Center. The first 5,000 women receive black carnations courtesy of Oasis Flower and Gift Shop ... Tickets are now on-sale at the Wachovia Center Box Office, at all TicketMaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 215.336.2000 ... Great pro-rated season tickets are still available starting as low as $120 by calling 215.389.WING (9464).

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 7, 2004


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