Saturday night the two teams who have played the fewest games
thus far, Philadelphia and Syracuse, meet at the Onondaga County
War Memorial. Each team has completed just half of their regular
season schedule.
Fans at Saturday night’s Wings-Smash game are best advised
to get a program on the way in. Though the two teams have played
just once each over the last three weeks (8, 9, & 10), there
has been activity in their lineups off the floor. Philadelphia
added Chris Panos (2.61 points per game average over his regular
season career) in a trade with New York last Friday, then got
four-time All Pro Mark Millon and defenseman John Gagliardi from
Syracuse. The Smash, in the meantime, have added 1997 Major
Indoor Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year Jeff Wilfong. This is
the first of four games at home out of their final six for
Syracuse, who was 3-3 last year at the Onondaga County War
Memorial, including a 19-12 triumph over the Wings.
Philadelphia Wings at Syracuse Smash, Saturday, 8:00 p.m.,
Onondaga County War Memorial
Broadcast Info.: Radio: Smash - WHEN-AM (620)
Records: Philadelphia (4-2), Syracuse (0-6)
Key Players: Philadelphia - Tom Marechek, who made
a name for himself in Syracuse when he played for the Orangemen
in college, leads the Wings in goals with 21. He has scored at
least three goals in each of the team’s six games so far.
Last season he scored six times in the two games against the
Smash. Jake Bergey is four points ahead of his output at this
point last year (had 28 points after six games in ‘99).
Syracuse - Wilfong had 26 points (13+13) in ten games for
Boston in 1997, then put up 26 again (16+10) in nine games with
Rochester in 1998. The 31-year old was on the Mann Cup winning
Brampton Excelsiors team in the summer of 1998.
Notable: This will be Philadelphia’s first road game
since February 11 and the Smash’s first home game since two
days after that...The Wings lead the all-time series between the
two clubs, 3-1...Philly was 1-5 at this point last season, while
Syracuse was 2-4...Three of the Smash’s six losses this year
have been by one goal (one in double overtime) and one was by two
goals...Syracuse is tied for having given up the most short-handed
goals in the league (nine), while Philadelphia has given up the
fewest (one)...The Smash continue to lead the league in team face-off
winning percentage (almost 60%), after having finished last in
that category last season (43.2%)...This is the only meeting this
season between the two teams...The Wings return home to take on
the Toronto Rock next weekend (Saturday, March 25).
Tickets: At OnCenter box office (Montgomery Street side of
War Memorial), online through Ticketmaster, or call 315-473-4444.