The last game in Philadelphia produced the largest crowd in
the history of pro indoor lacrosse. When the next one takes place
-- Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. -- the visiting team is hoping
that the usually raucous fans will leave the First Union Center
silenced and with one thing in their ears: Rock. Not the music
that will have been played during the game, but the type of Rock
that smothered the Wings in last spring’s National Lacrosse
League playoff semi-finals.
The Philly-Toronto matchup is the only one between the two teams
this season. And it’s one the Wings have likely had circled
on their calendars since the schedule came out. They’ll
finally get an opportunity to avenge a humiliating 13-2 loss at
Maple Leaf Gardens last April that not only eliminated the
defending 1998 NLL champions, but set a new league record for
fewest goals by one team in one game.
Toronto Rock at Philadelphia Wings, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., First
Union Center
Broadcast Info.: TV: Comcast SportsNet (live)
Records: Toronto (5-3), Philadelphia (5-2)
Key Players: Toronto - Bob Watson leads the NLL in
goals-against average (10.97) and minutes played (453). He will
be spotlighted in a featured chat on the official league website
tonight at 8:00 p.m. The questions for Bob were sent in by fans.
Last season when these two teams met in Philly, Colin Doyle was
the game’s top scorer with seven points (five goals, two
assists).
Philadelphia - Jake Bergey had the winning goal in
overtime when Philadelphia hosted Toronto last season, earning
him Game MVP honors. Mark Millon’s debut as a Wing this past
Saturday night was a success, as he led the team in scoring with
seven points (3+4). Against the Rock three weeks ago (playing for
Syracuse) he had four points (1+3).
Notable: The game features the league’s second and
fourth leading rookie scorers. Jason Clark of the Wings has 24
points, while the Rock’s Kaleb Toth has 22...This is
Philadelphia’s first home game since February 26...The all-time
regular season series between the two teams is tied, 2-2...Philly’s
current record is the reverse of last season’s mark after
seven games...Toronto leads the league in penalty killing (61.8%)...The
Rock will host Pittsburgh next Friday night (March 31)...The
television broadcast will be replayed on Sunday night at 8:00 on
Empire Sports Network and again on Tuesday afternoon (March 28)
at 3:00 on the New England Sports Network.
Tickets: At the First Union Center and all Ticketmaster locations
throughout the Delaware valley.