Eduardo Curros – Western Correspondent, All Lacrosse All The Time
The Vancouver Warriors and Philadelphia Wings met for the second time this season at Rogers Arena on Saturday night. Vancouver had already clinched a playoff spot, but could secure a home playoff game in the first round with a win. Meanwhile, Philadelphia had already been eliminated due to the results of the Friday night games, but were still looking to play spoiler. The Wings would not get the chance, as Vancouver jumped out to a 10-3 halftime lead on their way to an 11-5 win, securing the #4 overall seed and a first round home playoff game against Rochester next week.
Vancouver explodes in first half
Marcus Klarich scored unassisted at 2:13 to start the game. Phil Caputo scored the first goal for the Wings, with help from Joe Resetarits and Mitch Jones at 3:08. Keegan Bal scored on the power play, assisted by Klarich and Kevin Crowley at 6:48. Shane Simpson tied it for Philly with an assist from goaltender Deacan Knott at 11:09. Vancouver took a 4-2 lead thanks to goals from Adam Charalambides at 11:47 and Crowley at 12:19. In a somewhat baffling move, Knott was removed from the game following the Crowley goal. Knott gave up four goals on nine shots; he was replaced by Nick Damude.
Resetarits cut the lead to one off passes from Jones and Isaiah Davis-Allen at 13:46. Riley Loewen would close the first quarter scoring with help from Reid Bowering at 13:56, as Vancouver led 5-3. The Warriors’ offensive barrage continued in the second with five more unanswered goals. Loewen scored his second goal of the game at 4:23, followed by Klarich’s second goal at 5:46. Charalambides then scored his second with help from Remo Schenato and Ryan Dilks at 7:01. Dylan Macintosh finished the run with a pair of goals at 9:53 and 13:16, giving Vancouver a 10-3 lead at the half.
First home playoff game for Vancouver since moving downtown
Jones would score the only goal of the third quarter, with help from Alex Pace and Mike McCannell at 6:58 to pull the Wings within 10-4. The fourth quarter was almost as quiet, with Bal scoring his second thanks to Loewen and Klarich at 1:41 to make it 11-4 in favor of the Warriors. Pace scored unassisted at 8:58 for Philadelphia to close out the scoring. The Warriors improve to 11-7, setting a franchise record for victories in a season. Vancouver also finishes the season with a league-best 7-2 record at home, one game better than Buffalo, Halifax, San Diego, and Saskatchewan. Philadelphia drops to 7-11 on their season, tied with Albany for 11th place in the Unified Standings.
Curros’s Corner
Philadelphia: Jones (1g, 2a); Resetarits (1g, 1a); Pace (1g, 1a); Caputo (1g); Simpson (1g); Davis-Allen (1a)
Vancouver: Charalambides (2g, 3a); Loewen (2g, 3a); Klarich (2g, 3a); Bal (2g, 2a); McIntosh (2g, 2a); Crowley (1g, 1a)
Nick Damude (PHI): 33 saves in 47+ minutes in relief
Christian Del Bianco (VAN): 35 saves; now 6-0 with Vancouver
Mitch deSnoo (PHI): 17 Loose Balls (led all players)
