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Like most people around the league I am psyched to finally see a game in person.  I passed on the B2 games the last two weekends.  I guess I have better things to do on Saturday nights than to sit home and stare at my computer. 

Let’s hope next year brings a return of the game of the week on a national network.  In getting ready for the Wings home opener, I can’t help but think about the various pre-season predictions.  There has been a lot of hype about the return of the Rock.  I really don’t think anyone knows what to expect in Philly.  Many agree that they have some of the best young talent in the league … obviously over the past few years they have fallen short of expectations. 

Philadelphia and Toronto are the two most dominate teams in league history.  The Wings have won 6 championships while the Rock have 5.  The important distinction here is that the Rock have won all of theirs in the “modern era” (i.e. since the formation of the NLL in 1998). 

When I think back on what a dominant team the Wings used to be compared to the team that has failed to make the playoffs the past 5 seasons, something jumps out at me.  The one person that so decisively separates the winning teams from the losing is Tony Resch.  Sure, there are other players and coaches that had a lot to do with the Wings success of old, but Tony is the only person that was involved with all 6 championships.  He was a player in 1989 & 1990, and then head coach in 94, 95, 98 & in 2001.  To solidify his coaching legacy, he has dominated in the MLL, first winning a championship in 2002 with the Baltimore Bayhawks, and then the past 2 summers with the Philadelphia Barrage.

Tony’s philosophy is pretty straight forward.  Defense first. 

He also does a few other things well.  He has a knack for holding his players accountable.  He was a blue collar player.  As a coach he relies on smart players that work hard.  I am fortunate to have him as a coaching role model.  His players respect him.  They believe in his system and that brings confidence to his teams.  The Wings found a way to win the close games.  That helps when you have leaders like Jim Rogers and finishers named Tom Marechek and Jake Bergey, but it started and ended with Tony Resch.

As a Wings alumnus, I have watched the team lose a lot of close games over the past few years.  They have been losing those close games they once won.  They don’t believe in one another.  The confidence is gone. 

And so I look forward to Saturday’s premier.  Lindsay Sanderson has assembled a very talented group.  Head coach Dave Huntley has been around as long as the Wings.  He knows the game.  Can he help bring that swagger back to Broad Street and reinstate the Wings as a perennial powerhouse?  We shall see.

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