Wings: Update vs Rock, Cattoni, and Vitarelli

Preparing for the Toronto Rock, the Philadelphia Wings (2-2) get another opportunity to secure a victory on their home floor.

The Wings fell to the Panther City Lacrosse Club in their home opener, 12-10. Turnovers contributed to the losing effort, chasing the game instead of keeping ahead of the curve. After the loss, Joe Resetarits, who notched a hat trick, had a level perspective:

“Everything’s correctable, and everyone in the locker room knows that. We’ll be fine for next week.”

Joe Resetarits; 1/14/2023

Ahead of hosting the Rock, Philadelphia underwent a couple of changes. Additionally, there is a new faceoff time on Saturday, January 21st, 2023.

Schedule Update

Instead of the originally scheduled 7pm faceoff, the Wings will combat Toronto at 1pm. Otherwise, the Wells Fargo Center and Lincoln Financial Field would swallow Philadelphia into a black hole of diehards. The Philadelphia Eagles host the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Championship at 8:15pm.

Get your tickets! The Rock lost in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Buffalo Bandits in 2022. Paul Day and the Wings clinched their first playoff berth last season, hoping to compete for the NLL Championship in 2023. Like the Eagles in their playoff push, this Saturday serves as critical momentum for Philadelphia in their pursuit of an NLL Championship.

“Our goal is to make it to the playoffs; it was our first opportunity to make the playoffs. [The] COVID year, we were in a playoff seed when the season ended, but in the playoffs. The next step is going into the deep playoffs this year and compete for a championship.”

Paul Day; 1/12/2023

Trade Alert

The Wings traded their 2024 third-round selection to the Albany Firewolves for Taite Cattoni.

Cattoni signed a one-year deal with the Firewolves after a season with Panther City. In his rookie season with Panther City, he collected sixteen points (5G, 11A) as a top prospect from the 2021 NLL Draft.

“He brings a skill set that is much needed for our offense. His athleticism, speed, and ability to get to the net will add a spark to the entire team. He is coming off an incredible summer and I can’t wait to see him in a Wings jersey.”

Joe Resetarits; 1/17/2023

Additionally, Cattoni was on the Peterborough Lakers Senior A team, helping them to a Mann Cup. Winning four in a row, the Lakers are a dynasty. On the way to becoming a dynasty, Cattoni had 52 points with Peterborough (17G, 35A) in 22 games.

Vitarelli Released

Recently, he was on the injury report with an illness versus Panther City. Yesterday, Philadelphia had to make the hard decision to release Cory Vitarelli.

Day said this about Vitarelli:

“Cory Vitarelli is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. He’s been with the Wings since 2019, has been a huge asset to our organization in many ways, and will be missed on the floor and in the locker room.”

1/16/2023; Paul Day

He totaled 55 points (26G, 29A) with the Wings throughout 2020, 2022, and 2023. He had an assist on the road against the Halifax Thunderbirds, but his best performance in 2023 came against the Georgia Swarm, finishing with four points (1G, 3A.) Ending the road trip, he quietly finished with Philadelphia in a win against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs before being listed on the injury report with an illness ahead of the home opener versus Panther City.

Vitarelli spent three seasons with the Wings after one with the Colorado Mammoth and nine with the Rochester Knighthawks.

(Photo Credit/Alex McIntyre)