Wings, NLL return for 2009 season

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

Back from a 2008 season which almost never happened, the National Lacrosse League returns for the 2009 season just after New Year's, with the Philadelphia Wings once again one of the league's most recognizeable franchises.

The Wings have a 16-game slate, stretching from early January through mid-April. With the inclusion of the Boston Blazers, the NLL is a 13-team enterprise. Six clubs comprise the Western Division and there are seven in the East.

Philly's season kicks off against old rival Buffalo at HSBC Arena on January 3. Three in a row and five of the first six contests are away from home. The year concludes April 18 at Rochester.

The full schedule is as follows, with home games in bold:

January 3 - at Buffalo
January 10 - at Minnesota
January 16 - at Chicago
January 23 - BOSTON
January 24 - at Boston
January 31 - at San Jose
February 6 - BUFFALO
February 13 - BOSTON
February 21 - CHICAGO
February 28 - at New York
March 14 - MINNESOTA
March 28 - COLORADO
April 4 - at New York
April 5 - NEW YORK
April 11 - TORONTO
April 18 - at Rochester