Wings Weather Storm in New Jersey

The defending National Lacrosse League champion Philadelphia Wings' weathered a winter storm of their own as they came back from a five goal deficit to defeat the New Jersey Storm by a score of 17-15. This afternoon's game marks the first time that the Wings have faced the expansion New Jersey Storm. The Wings improve their record to 3-3 after the weekend as they head home to take on the Buffalo Bandits this Friday, January 25 at the First Union Center at 7:30 p.m.

"I'm pleased with the effort that are team gave in the second half to come back and defeat New Jersey," said Wings' coach Adam Mueller. "We're happy with a two win weekend and hope to continue the streak as we look toward Buffalo at home this Friday."

The Storm struck just 1:11 into the first quarter with a goal by Matt Panetta. The teams then traded goals just :28 apart. Panetta then scored his second of the night to give the Storm a two-goal lead. The Wings' Tom Marechek battled back to bring the Wings within one. But the Storm's Panetta got the hat trick on a penalty shot at 7:19. The Storm added three more goals to bring their lead to five. The Wings' Tom Ryan added his second of the afternoon to end the scoring at the end of the 1st quarter with the Storm ahead by a score of 7-3.

New Jersey opened the scoring 3:31 into the second quarter with a goal by Jamie Hanford. The Wings answered just :33 seconds later as Marechek recorded a hat trick. Jeff Ratcliffe of the Wings got on the board with his first of the afternoon, a short-handed goal at 6:24. The Storm added another, then Wings' rookie Andrew Martin netted his first career NLL goal to end the second quarter with the Storm still on top by a score of 9-6. At halftime, goaltender Chris Sanderson had faced 19 shots on goal and made 10 saves.

The Wings came out quickly in the second half with Tom Ryan adding his third of the afternoon just :26 into the quarter. The Storm netted their first of the half, but the Wings kept the Storms' lead at two with a goal by Keith Cromwell. The Wings' Pete Janney narrowed the lead to one when he scored his first goal of the season. At the end of the third quarter, it was the New Jersey Storm by a score of 11-10.

The Wings began a flurry of scoring in the fourth quarter, with a tying score from Jake Bergey. The Wings added three more with goals from Finneran, Marechek, and Martin to lead for the first time in the contest. The Storm added one at 10:16 with a goal from Billy LeFeuvre, but the Wings fought right back with Finneran's second goal of the night. The teams then traded goals within :06 and New Jersey added one more just :07 after that. The Wings then scored a power play goal by Tom Ryan. The Storm added the last score of the game, only to fall to the Wings by a score of 17-15. Sanderson finished the game with 21 saves as he faced 36 total shots.

Tom Marechek led the Wings offense with six points (3G, 3A) and Kevin Finneran led the goal scoring with four. Six other players scored for Philadelphia, including Tom Ryan (4G, 1A), Keith Cromwell (2G), Andrew Martin (1G, 1A), Jeff Ratcliffe (1G, 1A), Pete Janney (1G), and Jake Bergey (1G).

Matt Panetta led the Storm in scoring with five points (4G, 1A).

NOTES: Tom Marechek received M.V.P. honors in Friday night's home opener vs. the New York Saints ... This afternoon's game marks the first time that the Wings have faced expansion New Jersey . . . The New Jersey Storm are owned by former New Jersey Nets All-Star Jayson Williams ... The Philadelphia Wings meet the Buffalo Bandits this Friday, January 25 at the First Union Center. Tickets are available at the First Union Center Box Office, at all TicketMaster outlets, online at TicketMaster.com or by calling (215) 336-2000.