Wings Lose in Albany

The Philadelphia Wings were foiled in their attempt to clinch a playoff spot Saturday night, finding themselves stymied by the Albany defense for most of the game in a 11-5 setback.

Philadelphia controlled things well early on, taking a 2-0 lead in the first 3:06 and maintaining that two-goal advantage through most of the second quarter after Kyle Jackson scored 2:36 into that period. Although Andrew Kew tallied for the Firewolves later in the frame, the Wings still held a 4-3 lead at halftime.

What nobody saw coming was that Jackson’s goal was the last the Wings would score for almost the entire game. Albany kept the Wings off the board for the rest of the second quarter and the entire second half until Matt Rambo put one home with three seconds remaining in the contest.  The Firewolves defense allowed the Wings just nine shots in each of the second and third quarter and 12 in the fourth.

Philadelphia’s defense was nearly as effective in the middle two quarters, as Zach Higgins stopped 24 of 27 shots he faced in those periods, and Albany led just 5-4 after three periods. But the Firewolves went on to score six fourth-quarter goals, starting with three in the span of 1:39 early in the fourth quarter that put the proceedings out of reach.

The Wings now must win their final game at Georgia to get into the playoffs.  This matchup is set for 7PM on April 30, the final day of the NLL season.