Written and Compiled by Ross McLoughlin
LaxPhilly– A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.
Seals Fail to Clinch over the Surging Wings
This week the Philadelphia Wings (8-8) traveled to Sunny San Diego. It was a matchup made in heaven for the struggling Seals (9-5) who had lost 2 games in a row and looking to clinch the Western Division, the Wings had yet to beat a .500 team all season.
The San Diego Seals have a stunning Offense, and a Stingy Defense, but the Transition game more specifically the Faceoff position is killing San Diego.
Going into Camp the Seals had Max Adler, Alex Woodall, Brandon Clelland, Tyson Bomberry, Jeremy Noble and Eli Gobrecht all able to take faceoffs.
Clelland was the starter last season and had a 48% win Percentage. The Seals had faith that was enough, and let Max Adler and Alex Woodall go.
Adler was picked up by the Bandits, and Woodall has been picked up by the surging Colorado Mammoth.
San Diego have yet to beat a team with a Elite Faceoff Guy. That brings us to Wings VS Seals game, The Seals are Facing TREVOR BAPTISTE. Who in this day and age is Mr Faceoff.
Trevor went 21 for 29. For a 72% win percentage against the Seals.
Not saying that translates directly for a win, but more shots on goal, means more shots in the net statistically speaking.
The San Diego defense also was looking tired, They have bailed Netminder Frank Scigliano out all year, and Scigliano has done his part also, but there is something going on the past few weeks, Either Scigliano is not getting the looks he wants or other teams have figured out how to get in his head early and they take up space rent free.
In this league it’s all about deception or a fakeout. The Seals are Second guessing everything at this point.
One other observation: when the Seals Score first they tend to lose the game.
First Quarter
The Seals Tre Leclaire (2g,2a) scored first just under 3 minutes down. The Wings answered with scores by Matt Rambo (2g,4a) and Kevin Crowley (1g,5a) in the following 3 minutes.
The Seals then went on a run, with Leclaire, Mac O’Keefe (1g,1a), Zach Greer (3g,4a) Brett Hickey (1g,1a) and Austin Staats (3g,1a( all scoring to finish out the first Quarter. Score San Diego 6- Philadelphia 2.
Second Quarter
This was nearly a mirror image of the first quarter, Wings Kyle Jackson (1g,3a) scored in the first minute, followed up a minute later by a score from Seals Austin Staats.
Then for the rest of the quarter it was Wings score after Wings score Ben McIntosh (3g) Corey Small (3g,1a) Kiel Matisz (1g,4a) Blaze Riorden (1g,1a) and Corey Small finishing it up with a power play goal. Score at the end of the first half , Philadelphia 8- San Diego 7.
Third Quarter
Ben McIntosh scored in the first minute of the third Quarter, and then it was outstanding defense on both sides of the ball.
Austin Staats put the lone score for the Seals at the 11:30 Mark in the quarter. Bringing the score to 9-8.
Fourth Quarter
After a devastating Cross check by Jackson Suboch and a 5 minute major penalty the Wings let a pair of power play goals in by Casey Jackson (12g,3a).
Corey Small, Matt Rambo and Ben McIntosh answered giving the Wings a 2 goal advantage with 2 minutes left.
Zach Greer said “hop on my back” and scored 2 times in less than a minute to tie the ball game and time expired in the Quarter.
Overtime
After a faceoff win the Ben McIntosh got a feed from Kevin Crowley and buried the ball in the back of the net. Giving the Wings the win, 13-12.
Stats:
Shots favored San Diego, 53-51.
Frank Scigliano stopped 38 with Zach Higgins stopping 41.
Cam Holding lead the Seals with 10 loose balls.
Baptiste led everybody with 18 loose balls.
Seals Fail to Wrap Up West
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.
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