Event Spotlight:
PHILADELPHIA SWIMS PAST 'SHARKS
Wings Secure NLL Playoff Berth
Saturday, April 7, 2001
PRESS RELEASE
COLUMBUS, OH - The Philadelphia Wings won against the Columbus Landsharks, 17-7, at the Nationwide Arena. The Wings maintain third place in the National Lacrosse League standings, with one game left in the regular season at Albany. The Wings record increases to 9-4, with the team securing a playoff berth after this win, and Buffalo falling to New York (18-13). Philadelphia needs to win their last game at Albany to secure home field advantage for the NLL semi-finals.
"This was a solid win for the team," said Wings' coach Tony Resch. "We're very happy to have secured a playoff berth, now we want to bring it back to Philadelphia. We are still in control of our own destiny, and that's a great feeling."
Columbus started off the scoring as Nick Trudeau netted the first goal of the game. Philadelphia's Kevin Finneran answered a Wings goal, only to see Columbus score another one. The Wings scored three more with goals from Jason Clark, Mark Millon and rookie Jay Jalbert to end the quarter at 4-2.
Philadelphia dominated the second quarter of play. Clark and Tom Ryan scored to start off the second. Columbus added one by Mat Giles. The Wings scored two more with goals from Jake Bergey and another from Finneran. Columbus' Wayne Burke scored the Landsharks' last goal of the half, followed by two more Philadelphia goals, from Tom Marechek and Bergey, to end the half at 10-4. Goalie Chris Sanderson, who replaced Dallas Eliuk after a nasty hit in the first minutes of play, has tallied 23 saves in the first half.
Coming out of the locker rooms, Marechek scored quickly with :33 on the clock. Columbus scored the other two goals of the quarter, with Tracey Kelusky and Giles scoring for the Landsharks, to bring the score to 11-6 at the end of the third.
In the final quarter, the Wings continued their control of the game by scoring five straight goals, Bergey and Ryan with two, Finneran adding one. Kelusky added one more late goal for Columbus. Millon added the final goal with :16 left on the clock to end the game at 17-7. Sanderson made 34 saves for the Wings.
Jake Bergey led the Wings in scoring with six points (4G, 2A). Six other players scored goals for Philadelphia, including Mark Millon (2G, 1A), Kevin Finneran (3G), Jason Clark (2G, 1A), Tom Ryan (3G, 3A), Jay Jalbert (1G), and Tom Marechek (2G, 1A).
Tracey Kelusky led the Landsharks in scoring with four points (2G, 2A). Four other players scored for Columbus, including Wayne Burke (1G), Mat Giles (2G), Todd Richard (1G), and Nick Trudeau (1G).
UPCOMING GAMES: The Wings play their last regular season home game against the Albany Attack next weekend, April 14 at the Pepsi Arena. NLL Semi-Final playoffs begin the weekend of April 20-22.
|
