Goalie Predicts 6-Game Win
By ROB TANENBAUM; Courier-Post Staff: September 3rd, 1974
“I think we’ll beat them in six games at the most. Wait, I KNOW we’ll beat them. ” The prediction was that of Wayne Platt, Philadelphia Wing goalie and the National Lacrosse League’s answer to Muhammad Ali. “I can’t help it.” says Platt. “I’m a very, very cocky guy.”
Platt thinks, errr, knows he and the Wings will eliminate the Maryland Arrows from the semifinal round of the NLL playoffs. The saying will stop and the doing will begin at 8.05 Wednesday night in the Spectrum. in the first game of the Nations Trophy playoffs.
The Arrows are saying something else. In the regular season, Maryland was the only team to compile a winning record against Philadelphia, taking five of eight matches. Many of them are memorable.
Especially the next-to-last meeting between the teams in Philadelphia, when the Wings led 14-5 only to lose 27-26 in overtime.
“I think that gave us the upper hand.” said Arrows* superstar Paul Suggate. “I think we’re the team to beat in the playoffs now.”
Maryland floundered in fifth place for much of the early NLL race, but when Cy Coombes dropped his stick and became coach the Arrows shot up to third with a 22-18 record.
Coombes is a friend and former teammate of many of the Wings since he comes from Peterborough. Ont.
“That’s been a definite advantage for me,” said Coombes. “I’ve played under Bobby Allan and I know his system. There is no better.”
Coombes has the Arrows playing a close checking game against the Wings Philadelphia felt the effects in a game two weeks ago and dropped a 13-9 verdict.
But. since Maryland won the season opener against the Wings. 17-14, the Arrows have been unable to beat Platt. He stopped the Arrows in the next three meetings and reserve goalie John Hamilton was in nets for the final four.
The key to beating Maryland is stopping their big guys.” says Platt. “We’ve got to stop Suggate, (Bill) Coghill, (Ken) Henderson and the McKennas (Jerry. John and Rick). “We’ve got to pressure Suggate from center floor and play four-on-four to keep him outside.”
