A parade down Broad Street might not be a realistic dream, but there's a champion to celebrate in Philadelphia, as the Wings travelled to Baltimore this evening and finished off the Thunder to win the inaugural NLL Champion's Cup.

The victory clinched a sweep in the best-of-three championship series, and for Philadelphia is their league-best fifth title in twelve years, the previous four coming when the league was known as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League.

Philadelphia struck first in the game, on an unassisted goal from Peter Jacobs 2:21 into the first quarter. As is his tradition, Jacobs celebrated with a climb up the wall behind Thunder goaltender Derek Collins. The Wings then extended the lead to 4-0 on goals from Tom Marechek and Scott Gabrielson before Baltimore's marquee player, Gary Gait, could put one past goaltender Dallas Eliuk, with a sidearm shot on the power play.

Gait struck again soon, then was followed by teammate Andy Ross as the Thunder trimmed the deficit to one. Philadelphia's Billy Miller added a goal to end the first quarter scoring.

In the second quarter, Philadelphia broke the game open on four unanswered goals, two from Miller and two from Steve Govett, making the lead 9-3. Baltimore responded with three goals to end the half, the first by Sean Radenbaugh on a rocket pass from Gait. Tim Hormes also connected before halftime.

Baltimore's comeback wasn't triggered by Gait or Ross or Radenbaugh, but by the goaltending change from Collins to Shane Twomey. The change sparked the Thunder to strike first in the second half on a shot from Chris Panos, and the Thunder went on to wipe out the entire deficit and tie the game at 10-10.

"The goaltending was really the big difference between the two teams," said Baltimore coach John Tucker. "We got ourselves in a big hole right away."

After several tight minutes of action, Philadelphia began to put away the Thunder as only a champion can, starting with a goal from Kevin Finneran to grab a 13-12 lead. Gabrielson then scored, followed by another from Finneran. Philadelphia coach Tony Resch, decked out in his "Mr. Potato Head" tie, and the Wings bench erupted in celebration of the imminent championship. Goals by Ryan Traynor and Marechek iced it.

"I can feel the excitement," Wings president Russ Cline said. "It's just so sweet."

Following the game, Miller was named the Game MVP, and Eliuk the Championship Series MVP.

BOX SUMMARY

Philadelphia    5  4  2  6 -- 17
Baltimore       3  3  4  2 -- 12

PHILADELPHIA                  BALTIMORE
               G - A   PTS                   G - A   PTS
Marechek       3 - 4     7    Gait           2 - 3     5
Finneran       2 - 4     6    Cantabene      2 - 2     4
Miller         3 - 2     5    Panos          2 - 2     4
Gabrielson     2 - 3     5    Klodzen        1 - 3     4
Bergey         0 - 3     3    Radebaugh      3 - 0     3
Oglesby        0 - 3     3    Ryan           0 - 3     3
Govett         2 - 0     2    Hormes         1 - 0     1
Traynor        1 - 1     2    Ross           1 - 0     1
Rogers         0 - 2     2    Collins        0 - 1     1
Bates          1 - 0     1    Shearer        0 - 1     1
Flynn          1 - 0     1    Fulks          0 - 1     1
Jacobs         1 - 0     1    Martino        0 - 1     1
Busza          1 - 0     1    Twomey         0 - 1     1
Voelker        0 - 1     1

                     SAVES                         SAVES
Eliuk                   39    Twomey                  28
                              Collins                  7
Attendance: 3137