Halifax Outlasts Philadelphia

Halifax holds on for a big division win. Halifax outlasts Philadelphia in a 10-8 victory. In a game with playoff intensity, the Halifax Thunderbirds move to 7-1 with a defeat of the Philadelphia Wings, (5-6). The evening started on a somber note with a moment of silence for the victims in Ukraine. In a Philadelphia moment, the tension was shattered when a fan hollered….F@#% You Putin.
Things quickly went back to somber when Stevie Sanderson, daughter of the late Chris, performed the Canadian and American National Anthems.

To The Game

Philadelphia had the first four shots on goal with Warren Hill standing on his head. Shot number three, from Kevin Crowley would be historic as it marked the 1000th career save for Hill.

The Ghosts of former Wings came back when Clarke Petterson (1g, 3a), nephew of former Wings Coach, Dave Huntley, converted off a set up from Stephan LeBlanc and Kyle Jackson (3a). The goal came at the 2:10 mark. Chris Boushy (1g,1a) pushed it to a 2-0 Halifax advantage just 2:23 later. The goal was reviewed but the play stood.

Boushy appeared to score again but, he was ruled as being in the crease. Philadelphia had a chance to cut the deficit when they went on the power play. Unfortunately for the Wings, it was the Thunderbirds who capitalized. Stephen Keogh buried a Petterson feed to end the first quarter scoring with Halifax holding a 3-0 lead. Warren Hill was the story of the quarter with his 13 saves.

Rambo Rocket!#PHIvsHFX #BangTheBoards pic.twitter.com/SLCQ0Vzb90
— Philadelphia Wings (@NLLwings) February 27, 2022

To The Second

After 20:06 and 17 shots, The Wings took flight. Kiel Matisz (1g,2a) finally proved that Hill is human with helpers going to Kevin Crowley and Ben McIntosh. Crowley (1g,4a) took all of the twenty-two seconds to cut it to a one-goal game, 3-2. Trevor Smyth was called for a four-minute holding infraction.

Matt Rambo (3g, 3a) made Halifax pay with help from Corey Small (1a) and the battle was on. The Halifax depth came to the forefront with Eric Fannell (2g), Colton Armstrong (1g,2a), and thirty-one seconds later, LeBlanc (1g,1a) closed the half with Halifax in front, 6-3.

To The Third

Noncon Thompson (1g) made it four goals in a row with Rambo having an answer :56 later on an absolutely beautiful goal. Fannell notched his second to close the third with an 8-4 score leaning the Halifax way. Can Philly mount a comeback?

Rambo set up Ian Lloyd (1g) with 1:57 elapsed. Keogh lit the lamp at 2:05 and again at 3:11 to seemingly put it out of reach at 10-5. Philadelphia found a second gear and mounted a comeback. Rambo, Brett Hickey (1g) followed by McIntosh (1g,2a) cut it to 10-8.

Then, controversy. Corey Small picked up a loose ball and Hill, falling down, landed on the ball on or near the goal line. An extended review on the challenge from Wings Coach, Paul Day, was denied, no goal. Philadelphia could do no further damage and time ran out on the 10-8 final.

“We were not good…Our offense was not good, our power play was not good….” Wings Coach.

Details

Shots on Goal went 52-49 the Philadelphia way. Brett Hickey fired 11 with Ben McIntosh 10. For Halifax, it was Stephen Keogh with 10 and Eric Fannell with 9. Wings netminder, Zach Higgins stopped 39 shots with Warren Hill 44.

Face-offs were even between Jake Withers for Halifax and Philadelphia’s Trevor Baptiste, 11 of 22. Loose balls had 67 for Halifax and Philly scooping 64. Halifax outlasts Philadelphia in a 10-8 victory.

“The defense played a heluva game, the goalie played a heluva game…we need to get better with the offense.”
Matt Rsmbo

Kevin Neibauer

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.

Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.

A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.