WINGS DEFEAT SMASH, 17-14
March 18, 2000
In his first game with his new team, Mark Millon registered
seven points against his former team, leading the Philadelphia
Wings into sole possession of first place in the NLL with a 17-14
win in Syracuse against the winless Smash (0-7). The three goals
and four assists by Millon, traded by Syracuse within the past
week, were complemented by Game MVP Tom Marechek’s four
goals and two assists. Marechek had made his mark in Syracuse
during his collegiate days with the Orangemen.
Millon was joined by two other players in the game with
“firsts”. Wings goalie Andy Piazza impacted the win
with a 41-save performance in his first start of the season. The
Smash got six points (two goals, four assists) from Jeff Wilfong,
who was playing his first game this season in the NLL. The
forward signed on with Syracuse on Thursday, after having retired
following his 1998 season with the Rochester Knighthawks. Piazza
got the call in goal for Philly upon the two-game suspension of
starter Dallas Eliuk for an incident in the team’s last game
(February 26 vs. Pittsburgh).
Eric Seremet also totaled six points (1+5) for the Smash, who
kept the game close.
The teams were tied at four after the first 15 minutes of play.
Then, in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia’s 16-9 lead was
cut to just two goals before Matt Ogelsby scored an empty net
goal for the Wings, who tied their season win total of a year
ago, with five games still to play.
Kevin Finneran joined Marechek with five points (1+5) for
Philadelphia, who host the defending NLL champion Toronto Rock
one week from tonight. The visitors will come in just a half-game
out of first place. Syracuse will continue their quest for their
first win of the year when they play in Pittsburgh that night
against the CrosseFire and another former Smash player, Paul
Gait.