Picking up where they left off in 2019-2020, the Philadelphia Wings remain undefeated against the New York Riptide. Except for the third quarter, the Wings were on the winning side of the scoring sheet. Overall, they limit this contest within regulation time, improving to 2-0 by a score of 14-12.
A week ago, versus Panther City Lacrosse Club, Philadelphia was off to a slow start. They escaped in overtime with a victory. Matt Rambo scored the game-winner against the National Lacrosse League’s latest debuting expansion franchise. Paul Day remarked about starting slow but finding a groove heading into the showdown versus the Riptide:
“Even I found myself slow to react in the first half.”
Paul Day; 12/10/2021
The length of suspended play added unwanted rust to every team. Day, the architect of the Wings, made timely adjustments. Those adjustments allowed Philadelphia to begin 2021-2022 with a win. Similarly, Day drew up a brilliant strategy to maintain the lead versus New York. Cory Vitarelli scored in less than ten seconds, following a strategic timeout.
Corey Small and Kevin Crowley led the way for the Wings scoring. Both secured a hat trick; Small tallied five goals overall.
The Riptide were superior on special teams but couldn’t complete their third-quarter comeback, falling to 0-2 in 2021-2022.
Injury Report
During the third quarter, Ben McIntosh stretched the lead to 10-7 in favor of the Philadelphia Wings. In the process of doing so, Steven Orleman remained down on the ground after the play. Gowah Abrams filled in.
Orleman made his NLL debut versus the Wings. He did return about fifteen minutes (real-time) after he was injured.
Philadelphia remained healthy, especially Kiel Matisz, who suffered a stinger previously versus Panther City Lacrosse Club.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Wings (2-0) take the show on the road, visiting the Toronto Rock (1-1) on December 18th, 2021, at 7pm.
Through two games, the Rock didn’t flex an offensive prowess. They’ve been a better defensive team.
Get ready for a hard-nosed clash. These two teams didn’t have the opportunity to play in 2019-2020 because of the suspension of play. Toronto, like the Wings, is a quality franchise. These teams could challenge for a postseason push in 2021-2022.
“For as poorly as we played, we still had a chance.”
Matt Sawyer; 12/10/2021
That was Matt Sawyer, head coach of the Rock, following an 11-7 loss to the Halifax Thunderbirds. He referred to the first half, where Toronto only scored once. Paul Day remarked on a slow start versus Panther City Lacrosse Club, but Philadelphia had more zip than a one-goal half. Sawyer needs the Rock to be ready for the Wings. If not, Philadelphia will continue to bang the boards in Toronto.
If the Wings defeat the Rock, it will be the first time they begin 3-0. A three-game winning streak would match the longest win streak. Right now, Day has his team trending in a profound direction.
