The Wings will celebrate their rich tradition and history this weekend as the Class Of 2007 is inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall Of Fame in Philadelphia this weekend.  The Wings also have much to celebrate about the present, with the current team on a four-game winning streak and sitting in second place in the East Division.

            Philadelphia Wings’ greats Tom Marechek and Mike French along with the Buffalo Bandit Darris Kilgour will be inducted into the Hall during a ceremony at the Philadelphia Racquet Club on Friday night followed by a halftime ceremony the following night during the Wings/Bandits match-up. The Hall will also recognize lacrosse journalist Tom Borrelli, who has covered the Buffalo Bandits and the league as a whole for the past sixteen seasons. 

            “It’s a very nice honor to be inducted with Tom, Darris, and Tommy,” said French.  “I’ve been with this team from the start, so this night will be very special.  It should be a great weekend.”

            French, along with the rest of the Wings squad, will be eagerly awaiting a much-anticipated match-up against the Buffalo Bandits the following night.  The team will be focusing on the task at hand, despite all the festivities planned for the weekend.

            “It’s a special weekend for both teams,” said Wings’ Assistant Coach Chris Sanderson.  “Many of our players will be attending the Friday night Hall Of Fame event as will Buffalo’s.  I think both teams will be anxious to get out on the floor on Saturday to face each other for the first time this season.”

            In addition to the outstanding play of their rookies, the Wings’ have had solid performances from goaltender Matt Roik, who is undefeated since returning from an injury (broken collarbone) on January 20. 

            “Roik’s numbers are telling,” said Sanderson.  “He’s played as well as he ever has in two seasons with us.  He’s as consistent as anyone I’ve seen in a long time, giving us solid goaltending from start to finish and spectacular saves.  He shut out Calgary through two five-minute penalties.  You building championship teams from the goaltender on out and Matt is certainly giving us championship caliber goaltending right now.”

Notes:  Saturday’s game between the Wings and Bandits will be broadcast tape-delay on Versus the same night at 11 p.m. and on Sunday, February 18 on Comcast SportsNet at 7:00 p.m. … In addition to the NLL Hall Of Fame Festivities, former Philadelphia Eagles’ Head Coach Dick Vermeil will be dropping the first ball at Saturday night’s game.