by Mark Kram, Daily News Sports Writer
Not even veteran goalie Dallas Eliuk was aware of it, but quietly, the Philadelphia Wings have stretched their winning streak at the Spectrum to 11 games.
That dates back to April 11, 1992.
“No kidding?” said a surprised Eliuk. “Well, we can thank our fans for that.”
The 1994 Major Indoor Lacrosse League champions hope to add to that streak tomorrow evening, 8 o’clock, when the Wings entertain the Buffalo Bandits. The Wings, 2-1, were beaten in the season opener at Buffalo, 17-13, but have won their last two, edging the New York Saints, 14-13, and the Rochester Knighthawks, 18-17. The victory over the Knighthawks came in the home opener last Friday.
“The fans definitely influence our play,” Eliuk said. “Lacrosse is like football in that it is a game of adrenaline. When we get in front of 16,000 screaming fans in our arena, it gets us pumped up.”
Wings coach Tony Resch agreed.
“We have had some good teams through the years, but the fact is we have a distinct home-field advantage,” Resch said. “What pleases me is that we are also becoming a better road team. We have grown as a team.”
Ironically, the Wings last lost at home against Buffalo in an MILL championship game. The Wings are 1-4 in regular-season games against the Bandits, and 1-2 against them in the playoffs. The Wings defeated Buffalo, 26-15, last season in the MILL championship.
“We do take a special interest in beating them because they are Buffalo,” Resch said. “We get up for them and I am sure they get up for us.”
(Philadelphia Daily News, January 27, 1995)