The Philadelphia Wings wanted to get off to a good start this season.
The team struggled at the end of last season. They came into the playoffs on a 5-game losing streak, and lost by 1 goal to eventual champion, the Rochester Knighthawks, in the Divisional semifinals playoff game.
The Wings management made some changes to the roster, including making a blockbuster trade to bring in All-World star Paul Rabil. Yet, while Rabil did not have an immediate impact, the team was able to defeat the Buffalo Bandits, 13-8, at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
With the win, the Wings improved to 1-0 on the season. The Bandits dropped to 0-1 and will have their home opener tonight. The Wings play next weekend in Toronto.
Wings newcomers Kyle Hartzell and Kevin Buchanan each scored in the fourth quarter. The Bandits also added two goals in the quarter, as Tracey Kelusky and Aaron Wilson scored.
The Wings used a three-goal third period to increase their lead. Ned Crotty scored the first goal of the period, before Kevin Crowley and Ethan Ferrell each added a goal.
Dhane Smith and Luke Wiles scored for the Bandits in the third.
The Wings went into the break with an 8-4 lead.
In the second quarter, Crowley scored two more goals. Buchanan added another goal, while Jordan Hall and captain Brodie Merrill scored, as well. The Bandits saw goals by Shawn Williams and John Tavaras in the second.
In the first period, the Wings took a 3-2 lead and built on it throughout the rest of the game. Crowley gave the Wings the lead when he scored with a minute left in the period.
The Bandits did have the game tied at 2-2, but that was the only time that they were tied in the game. Wilson’s goal gave the Bandits the 2-2 tie.
His teammate, David Brock, scored to make it 2-1 Wings nearly eight minutes in. Buchanan and Ferrell gave the Wings a 2-0 lead with two early goals.
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