Wings Look Ahead To Buffalo After Loss

January 13, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 12, 2019 – For the second consecutive week the Philadelphia Wings nearly charged back from an early deficit, but they couldn’t quite overcome a strong first quarter from the Georgia Swarm in a 13-11 setback. Blaze Riorden had three goals and three assists, Josh Currier posted three goals and one assist and Kevin Crowley had a four-point game and 17 of his team’s 60 shots on goal in his first game back with the Wings.

Philadelphia jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Currier and Riorden in the first 2:06 of the game, but Georgia scored the next eight goals over the span of just under 16 minutes.

The Wings scored the next three goals and closed the deficit to 9-5 at halftime, and then went on to outscore the Swarm 6-4 in the second half. But an outstanding 49-save performance by Georgia goaltender Mike Poulin foiled the Wings’ comeback effort. He and the Georgia PK held the Wings to just one power play goal on five opportunities, including two five-minute majors.

After an early Georgia goal in the first minute of the third quarter, the Wings scored three times over the rest of the period to make it 10-8 at the break. The Swarm opened the fourth quarter with another fast goal that the Wings answered with two of their own to close within one at 11-10 with 11:05 left to play. But Georgia kept pace the rest of the way – a goal at the 6:45 mark made it a two-goal advantage again, and after Riorden scored with 8:01 to play, the Wings weren’t able to get anything else past Poulin. Randy Staats picked up his third goal and seventh point of the contest in the game’s final minute to put it out of reach.

Davide Diruscio started in goal for the Wings and made 11 saves on 17 shots in 16:10 of action before stepping aside for Doug Buchan, who denied 29 of the 36 shots he saw in 43:15. Trevor Baptiste dominated the faceoff circle, winning 20 of 28 draws, and led the Wings with 10 loose balls.

The Wings head back on the road next week to visit Buffalo before coming home to start a four-game homestand on January 26 vs. Toronto. Tickets for all Wings home games are available at WingsLAX.com.