Wings open playoffs

To advance past the first round of the National Lacrosse League playoffs, the Wings will need to snap a losing streak that is now more than a month old.

The Wings (7-9) failed to secure the homefield advantage in their April 28 regular-season finale, a 9-7 loss to the host Rochester Knighthawks last Saturday. It was the Wings' sixth straight loss.

Now they have to return to Rochester for Friday night's playoff game (7:30). It is the fourth matchup between the teams this season, with Rochester having won all three by a combined score of 42-27.

One of the silver linings for the Wings is that in their most recent loss, it was the first time since Feb. 8 they did not allow an opposing team to score double-digit goals.

Wings forward Dan Dawson set a team record for total points in a season with 103, the third-highest mark in the league. He finished the regular season with 25 goals and 78 assists.

Rochester is led by Cody Jamieson, who finished the regular season with 36 goals and 49 assists.

- Brian Dzenis