Wings Clipped in Mammoth Fashion,11-10

The Philadelphia Wings (7-5) went into the Pepsi Center, aka “The Mad House” to tackle the Colorado Mammoth (6-6) on Saturday evening.

Things started well for Philadelphia with Trevor Baptiste winning the opening face-off and Matt Rambo (2g 4a) putting one by Mammoth goalkeeper, Dillon Ward to put the visitors in front with just :27 played.

As if someone hit the rewind button, Baptiste once again won the face-off and this time it was Kevin Crowley (2g,4a) who lit the lamp.

With only fifty-four seconds elapsed, Philadelphia was flying with a 2-0 cushion.

Ryan Lee (4g,3a) fired a pretty sidearm shot to cut the lead in half.

Tim Edwards (1g,1a) bested Philly netminder, Zach Higgins on a breakaway.

Brett Hickey (2g,3a) converted a Crowley pass to close the first with Philadelphia up, 3-2.

Philadelphia fired 16 shots on goal but only managed the three tallies.

Lee kicked off the second when he banged home a pass from newly acquired, Tyler Digby on the advantage.

Kevin Buchanan bested Ward to the short side at 7:01 but Dylan Kinnear (2g,2a) countered with a quick stick strike to close the half with the teams tied at 4-4.

Once again, Rambo scored in the first thirty seconds but Philadelphia’s offense became spectators while Colorado finished the third quarter with a five-goal burst furnished by, Tyler Digby (2g,4a), Digby assisted on the next three tallies from Jacob Ruest (1g,1a), Kinnear, Chris Wardle (1g,4a) and finally, Digby scored again.

The Wardle and Digby goals were scored less than three minutes apart and both were on the man up.

The third came to a close with Colorado holding a 9-5 lead.

The Mammoth picked right back up with Ryan Lee converting a nifty passing play from Kinnear and Eli McLaughlin (3a) to make it a five-goal advantage.

Finally, after nearly 18 scoreless minutes, Kevin Crowley ended the six-goal Colorado onslaught.

5:09 later, Lee got Colorado to eleven goals and seemingly put it out of reach.

Philadelphia exhibited absolutely zero quit and kept chipping away and was rewarded when Buchanan scored at 9:30 to give the visitors a pulse.

Time was running out so Head Coach, Paul Day yanked Zach Higgins in an effort to climb back in this one.

The strategy seemed to be paying off with Philadelphia receiving goals from Kiel Matisz at 12.45, Josh Currier (1g,1g) at 13:12 and Hickey getting things to a one-goal lead with :32 to play.

Colorado was able to hold on and picked up an important win.

Dis and Dat: By virtue of the weekend results, Philadelphia goes from first place in the East to third.

Faceoffs went the way of Philadelphia, 19 of 25.

The other statistics exhibit a one-goal affair with shots on goal were even at 46, loose balls slightly favored Philadelphia, 56-54.

Dillon Ward not only registered an assist but, he also made his 4,000th career save early in the game.

The extra man had Philadelphia going 0 for 1 and the Mammoth 3 of 5.

The Loud House was noisy and a good crowd of 12,297 were treated to a good contest.

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.