Securing their first winning record in the NLL, the Philadelphia Wings are 2-1 this season after defeating the New York Riptide last week with a final score of 15-12. The Wings are currently on their first winning streak in the NLL as they come home to the Wells Fargo Center tonight for their home opener against the Vancouver Warriors. Sitting at 1-3 this season, the Warriors have something to prove to themselves while on the road tonight. With a win tonight and a loss by the Georgia Swarm tomorrow, Philadelphia could jump to second in the East Division standings. A win tonight for Vancouver would put them in the hunt for fourth place in the West Division standings.
Tonight marks the first time that the Vancouver Warriors visit the “City of Brotherly Love.” The Philadelphia Wings have yet to defeat the Warriors in the NLL, losing to them last season in Vancouver, 19-12. Momentum sides with the Wings in 2019-2020. Josh Currier scored his first few goals of the season for Philadelphia last week against the New York Riptide, earning a hat-trick. Another Wings player notching a hat-trick was Brett Hickey.
Defensively, the Philadelphia Wings are matching up against a strong Vancouver Warriors offense. The Warriors attempt to rebound from their loss against the Colorado Mammoth. Their record doesn’t represent their offensive output. Vancouver is ranked sixth in the NLL in goals scored. They’ll be led by Jordan McBride, who is ranked third in the NLL with ten goals on the season.
Zach Higgins, goaltender for the Philadelphia Wings, will need to be dominant in the net. He’s allowed 31 goals, saving 120 of 151 shots faced. That’s good for a 79.4% save percentage. Mitch Jones and Keegan Bal are ranked second and third in the NLL for total points and assists. To balance out the Vancouver Warriors attack, the Wings will have to take control and covert man-advantages.
The Philadelphia Wings are in the driver’s seat when writing their path towards a successful 2019-2020 campaign. On the other hand, the Vancouver Warriors have their backs against the wall. Like last week, the Wings face a team in the Warriors that have nothing to lose and everything to gain. A dangerous opponent comes into the Wells Fargo Center tonight. Philadelphia will have to get out to a quick start and control the pace of the game early on.
You can watch the Philadelphia Wings host the Vancouver Warriors on NBC Sports Philadelphia or Bleacher Report Live tonight at 7 pm. Be sure to follow my team of reporters at Philly Sports Network on Twitter for coverage of the game: @EricReesePSN @Ricky_amandeo8 and @alexmcintyre as well as @PhiladelphiaSN.
