The Wings were insured a play-off spot last Saturday, as the Rochester Knighthaws fell to the New York Titans. Even though they had advanced to the post season prior to their final regular season game, the Wings beat the Toronto Rock 15-14 last Sunday giving them some much needed momentum heading into the post-season. The Wings will take on the Buffalo Bandits in the first round of NLL playoffs this Friday at the HSBC Arena at 7:30 p.m. This will be the Wings first post-season appearance since 2002.

“We have to take whatever playoff experiences we all have and apply that. The situation is not totally new for us as individuals, but it’s new for us as a group. That is a big advantage Buffalo has; as a group they have experienced this before,” stated Head Coach Dave Huntley.

Through the course of the 2008 regular season, transition player Geoff Snider has emerged as a leader for the Wings and a force to be reckoned with for opponents. He has captured three NLL records, including the most recovered loose balls in a single season (244). Snider has also won 318 out of 431 face-offs; a 73.8% win percentage.

“He's been a great leader for our team and I'm expecting great things from him in the playoffs,” commented Huntley.

Leading the Wings in scoring are Athan Iannucci with 100 points (71G, 29A), Jake Bergey with 60 points (29G, 31A) and Merrick Thomson with 55 points (26G, 29A). Goaltender Rob Blasdell has made 434 saves for the Wings this season with a 73.9% save percentage. Goaltender Brandon Miller has played in seven games for the Wings in 2008 and has a 78.8% save percentage with 12.18 goals against average.

The Wings have faced the Bandits twice in 2008; the teams are tied at 1-1 for the season. Both teams first met on January 26 in Philadelphia with the Wings winning 15-14. In the second game the Bandits overcame the Wings 21-12 at HSBC Arena on March 1, the Wings’ first loss of the 2008 season.

Leading the Bandits’ strength on transition are Mark Steenhuis and Billy Dee Smith; Huntley addressed the skill of these two players and recognized that if the Wings are able to contain them it will greatly add to their success. John Tavares leads the Bandits in scoring with 87 points (29G, 58A), and has a total of 656 career goals.

“John Tavares, much like John Grant and Colin Doyle, you have to account for them every second they are on the floor and all 60 minutes of the game,” said Huntley. “He can quickly pick up eight points on you; you have to have 100% of your attention on him 100% of the time.”