Kevin M. Neibauer
LaxPhilly- A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.
Philadelphia finds their offense with huge first quarter.
The flailing Philadelphia Wings, in search of not only a win but, their offense, got both in this one. Philly went on the road to the Blue Cross Arena to face the Rochester Knighthawks.
Rochester’s Tyler Biles was a game changer just :18 into the game.
Biles seemed to be a man on a mission as he took advantage of Ben McIntosh who offered no resistance.
For some reason, he lost his mind and was given two minutes for instigation, five for fighting and a Game Misconduct.
That was the break the struggling Philadelphia Wings have been looking for.
First Quarter
With the Biles penalties, Philadelphia ripped off three power play goals in just 1:34.
Corey Small (6g,2a) enjoyed his best game as a Wing and opened the scoring with helpers from newly signed, Kyle Jackson and Blaze Riorden with :31 played.
At 1:01,Ben McIntosh (3g,1a) converted off a Small set up for power play number two
Twenty four ticks later, Kevin Crowley (5a) fed a sweet pass that Blaze Riorden (2g,2a) buried for power play three.
It took 8:21 for Rochester to stop the run when Ryan Smith (2g) buried a Curtis Knight feed
John Wagner (1g) hit net thirty six seconds later to cut it to a 3-2 game.
Small hit net again with help from Crowley and Kiel Matisz (4a) and with 2:39 remaining, Ben McIntosh (3g,1) took advantage of the third Crowley assist and the second from Jackson to end the opening quarter with a 5-2 Philadelphia edge.
Second Quarter
Philadelphia effectively blew it open with a 4-0 blitz.
Small at :42 from Matisz and Jackson and a power play goal at 4:33 helped by McIntosh.
Kyle Jackson (1g, 5a) got his first as a Wing on yet another man up with Small and Crowley assisting.
A Long Road Back
Down 9-2, Rochester had a lot of work to do and not a lot of time.
Charlie Bertrand (1g) planted a Turner Evans set up and the second assist from Knight.
Thomas Hoggarth (2g) cut it to a five goal differential at 9-4.
That is how the third would end.
Final Quarter
Philadelphia took their foot off the gas. Despite going 21:25 without hitting net, Small hit for his fifth with Jackson and Matisz continuing to pick up points.
Rochester got it somewhat respectable thanks to Curtis Knight (1g, 2a) hitting a transition goal started by netminder, Joel.Watson who hit Ryland Rees (1a) with a pretty outlet that Rees dished off to Knight.
Turner Evans (1g,2a) hit net at 5:25 to make it 10-6.
Rochester got their power play rolling when Hoggarth hit an unassisted power play score at 8:49.
Evans and Holden Cattoni (1a) hit Smith on a pretty pass around for the second consecutive man up goal at 9:20 to make it a two goal affair, 10-8.
The Rochester faithful were getting loud in hopes of a come back.
The hopes were dashed when McIntosh got his hat trick with help from Riorden and Jackson.
Three minutes later, Small got his sock trick to end the proceedings, 12-10.
More Things
• Philadelphia snaps a four game losing streak to improve to 6:7 and remain alive for a playoff berth
• Rochester drops to 3-10 and. is on the outside of playoff hopes.
• Shots on Goal were 56-51 for the visitors.
• Face offs heavily leaned the Philadelphia way, 18 of 24 with Trevor Baptiste going 18 for 23.
• Power plays had 6 for 8 for the Wings and Rochester with the late surge went 2 for 3.
• Zach Higgins stopped 48 Knighthawks shots while Joel Watson turning aside 39.
Wings Find Their Offense.
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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