By Tim Panaccio, Inquirer Staff Writer
If the Philadelphia Wings want to win their third consecutive Major Indoor Lacrosse League championship, they’ll have to steal the Thunder – twice – beginning with today’s 1:30 p.m. match at the Spectrum against Baltimore.
The Thunder (5-3) leads the American Division by one game over the Wings (4-4). Both clubs end their seasons Saturday at the Baltimore Arena.
“We don’t foresee us losing at home this weekend,” said Lou Delligatti, an original Wings member from 1987. “One thing is different: We’re going into this game with a lot more respect for Baltimore than we’ve had in the past.”
One reason for that is goalie Jeff Gombar, who has 236 saves in seven games. Gombar set a league record with a remarkable 60 saves in the Thunder’s 14-10 win over the New York Saints on Feb. 15.
Aside from goaltending, the Thunder also enjoys a speed advantage over the Wings.
The Wings return home having won last week at Pittsburgh, 15-7, with the help of Paul Deniken’s hat trick. Delligatti says practices of late have been spirited.
“It’s like old times again,” he said. “We’ve come together as a team. It’s do or die for us. We think we can win both games.”
If the Wings do, they’ll host the MILL title game on April 7 at the Spectrum against the Detroit Turbos (7-2), who already have clinched the National Division.
(Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1991)