By Tim Panaccio, Inquirer Staff Writer
Dwight Maetche’s first love may be lacrosse, but it’s his second love that has enabled the Philadelphia Wings’ goalie to be named “All-World” three times during his nine-year career in Canadian box lacrosse.
“Hockey has done a lot for me,” said Maetche. “I grew up in Edmonton. When the lacrosse season was over (in July), there wasn’t much else to do but hockey. The puck moves faster, but it is actually less accurate than a lacrosse ball.”
Maetche, 29, will start in the nets during tomorrow’s 2 p.m. Spectrum matinee, when the Wings (2-0) host the Detroit Turbos (1-1).
While the Major Indoor Lacrosse League team average for goals yielded is about 10.7, Maetche has given up just four goals in one appearance, a 9-4 victory over the New York Saints. His goals-against average for the Vancouver Burrards last season was a remarkable 8.0.
A lacrosse net is four feet by four feet, while a hockey net is four feet by six feet.
Maetche said one reason he was able to record such a low lacrosse goals- against average in Canada was the many hours he spent stopping pucks during recreational hockey games.
“The balance you have to master in hockey has really helped me in lacrosse,” said Maetche. “I move around a lot in the net in lacrosse. Like hockey, angles are very important. Lacrosse is a game dependent upon angles.
“A lot of hockey goalies rely on their agility to cut down angles. I think my reflexes are responsible for my success in lacrosse. It has a lot to do with the angle work in hockey.”
The Wings have not played since their back-to-back games in January. Unlike the Western Lacrosse League, which has a 24-game regular-season spring-summer schedule, the MILL plays eight games.
“This pace here is very aggravating,” said Maetche. “You go from four practices and a couple of games a week in Canada to this, where you practice once a week and play once a month. It’s tough on you. I need work to keep prepared and this only makes it harder.”
NOTES. Mindful of the long layoff, Wings coach Dave Evans gave the players all of last week off so he could practice twice this week. “The league allows you only one practice a week,” said Evans. “If we miss one practice, we can add it onto another week’s. I gave them off last week to double up this week.” The Wings lead the MILL in fewest goals allowed (12), but are last (sixth) in shots on goal. Also, for the first time in two years, the Wings do not have any players among the league’s scoring leaders.
(Philadelphia Inquirer, February 10, 1990)