The first National Lacrosse League game of the new season was played Friday night in front of a crowd of over 11,000 at the First Union Center, matching the home team Philadelphia Wings aganst the expansion franchise Albany Attack in its league debut. The first goal of the 2000s was scored by the Attack's Gary Rosyski, at 1:55 of the 1st period.

The Attack entered the contest determined to show that they could contend despite having only a few real veterans on their team, and made it clear in the early going with their physical play and quickness that they were a team to be taken seriously. Seven of the game's sixteen penalties were assessed in the first period, with five going to the Attack. There were two separate scrums resulting in roughing penalties and a few more that probably should have. This set the tone for a game that remained physical till the end.

Both teams spread the scoring around with the Attack being led by Josh Sanderson and Ted Dowling each having four goals, and the Wings by Tom (Hollywood) Marecheck and Jake Bergey each scoring three goals. The goalkeepers were kept busy all night, with All-Pro Dallas Eliuk of the Wings turning away forty-four of the fifty-five shots he faced, including a flurry of point blank shots in the first period that got the crowd cheering, plus a spectacular diving play over an Albany player's back to clear a loose ball. Albany's Rob Blasdell had thirty-six saves on the night, including several shots by new-comer Tommy Ryan. Ryan, a five year veteran who was with the now defunct Baltimore Thunder for the past two years is easily recognized by his trademark dredlocks. In the past his appearance on the floor in Philly resulted in whistles and catcalls while the PA system blared Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like A Lady," but he was welcomed by a loud chorus of "DUDE!" and applause when he made his Wings debut.

The result of the sixty minutes of regulation play was a tie at eleven apiece, and the onset of sudden death overtime. Albany gained the first possession of the period but failed to score & turned the ball over to the Wings. Fifty-two seconds into overtime, Matt Oglesby hit Game MVP Jason Clark with a perfect pass which Clark buried behind Blasdell for the Wings win.

The Wings will next play in Pittsburgh against the Crossefire on Saturday, 22 January. The Attack will go home to meet the Crossefire on Friday, 14 January.

BOX SUMMARY
                                  1  2  3  4 OT     TOT
Albany Attack (0-1)               3  3  3  2  0  --  11
Philadelphia Wings (1-0)          4  4  1  2  1  --  12

ALBANY ATTACK                 PHILADELPHIA WINGS
               G - A   PTS                   G - A   PTS
J Sanderson    3 - 4     7    Clark          2 - 4     6
Dowling        4 - 1     5    Bergey         3 - 2     5
D Kilgour      0 - 4     4    Marechek       3 - 2     5
Woods          1 - 2     3    McEvoy         1 - 2     3
Gibson         1 - 1     2    Jacobs         1 - 1     2
Fannell        0 - 2     2    O'Grady        1 - 1     2
John Rosa      0 - 2     2    Oglesby        0 - 2     2
Scott          0 - 2     2    Rogers         0 - 2     2
MacDonnell     1 - 0     1    Slate          0 - 2     2
Rosyski        1 - 0     1    Phair          1 - 0     1
D Squire       0 - 1     1    D Radebaugh    0 - 1     1
                              Schindler      0 - 1     1

Shots on goal           55    Shots on goal           48
Saves made by           36    Saves made by           44
   Blasdell          36          Eliuk             44
Penalties                9    Penalties                7
Penalty Minutes         18    Penalty Minutes         14
Power Play Chances       5    Power Play Chances       7
Power Play Goals         2    Power Play Goals         2
Shorthanded Goals        0    Shorthanded Goals        1
Faceoffs Won            12    Faceoffs Won            17
   Fannell      ( 2-10)          Jacobs       (11- 7)
   Scott        (10- 7)          Hanford      ( 6- 5)
Loose Balls             72    Loose Balls             77
   Blasdell           9          Eliuk              9
   John Rosa          8          Oglesby            9
   Rosyski            8          Ryan               9

*** ALL STATS OFFICIAL BY CONFIRM WITH PHILA WINGS ***