Following the recent trade of Paul Gait from the Syracuse
Smash to the Pittsburgh CrosseFire -- the latter team which
already boasted five-time League MVP Gary Gait -- the identical
twins from British Columbia were reunited on a pro team for the
first time since 1994. They suited up together on February 12 and
led Pittsburgh to a 17-14 win over the visiting Buffalo Bandits.
Now, in another of their games back together -- and first on the
road -- they’ll take on the team they last played on as
teammates. Saturday night Gary and Paul and the rest of the
CrosseFire go across the state to take on the Philadelphia Wings.
Prior to the Syracuse-Pittsburgh transaction, Paul and Gary had
last played together in pro indoor lacrosse in 1994 when they led
the Wings to the Major Indoor Lacrosse League World Championship.
The Wings also have an added incentive when they play Pittsburgh
on Saturday night. Their only loss this season came at the hands
of the CrosseFire when Kip Fulks scored with just 27 seconds left
in the fourth quarter in a January 22 game at Mellon Arena.
Pittsburgh CrosseFire at Philadelphia Wings, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.,
First Union Center
Records: Pittsburgh (3-3,
entering Friday), Philadelphia (4-1)
Key Players: Pittsburgh - Joe
Hiltz is fourth in the league with a 41.9 shooting percentage (18
goals on 43 shots). Paul Cantabene is fourth in loose balls (62)
and second in face-offs (61.9 winning percentage).
Philadelphia - Rookie Jason
Clark leads the league in game-winning goals with two. He is
third in scoring among first-year players with 16 points in just
four games. Tom Phair enters the
weekend tied with Pittsburgh’s Brian Reese for most penalty
minutes (33) in the NLL thus far in ‘99-’00. Kevin Finneran was Philadelphia’s
leading scorer when they lost in Pittsburgh in Week 3 (two goals,
four assists).
Notable: A win by the Wings would equal their season total
of a year ago...Philadelphia is 3-0 thus far at the First Union
Center...After this game the Wings will be idle until Week 11
when they travel to Syracuse...The teams combined for 85 penalty
minutes in their meeting at “The Igloo” on January 22...The
last time Paul and Gary Gait played together in Philadelphia on
the same team was April 10, 1994 in a semi-final playoff win by
their Wings over New York...Philly leads the NLL, having only
allowed one short-handed goal against in their five games so far...It’s
“Jamaican Me Crazy” night (reggae theme, dreadlocks).
Tickets: At the First Union Center and all Ticketmaster
locations throughout the Delaware valley.