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BERGEY LIFTS WINGS OVER BANDITS IN OT

Philadelphia improves to 3-0 for first time since 1997

01/26/2008

Jake Bergey scored the game-winning goal just 20 seconds into overtime as the Philadelphia Wings overcame a second half comeback by Buffalo to win their third straight game, a 15-14 victory over the Bandits at the Wachovia Center on Saturday evening. The win gives Philadelphia its first 3-0 start since 1997 while dropping Buffalo's record to 2-2.

Bergey, who scored a game-high four goals in the win, converted a pass from Athan Iannucci and scored past goalkeeper Mike Thompson to give the Wings the victory. The win snapped Philadelphia's two-game losing streak against its long-time rival.

Led by three goals from Mark Steenhuis, the Bandits took a 5-4 lead after the first quarter. However, the Wings ran off five straight goals, including a pair of Iannucci markers, to lead by 9-5 at the intermission.

After a Taylor Wray goal extended the Philadelphia advantage to 10-5, the Bandits scored five of the next eight goals to narrow the margin to close within 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

Kevin Dostie scored two power-play goals in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to ignite a four-goal spurt by Buffalo, giving the Bandits a one-goal lead. But, Jamie Rooney scored with 1:53 left to tie the score and force overtime.

Iannucci posted a game-high seven points by scoring four goals with three assists while Merrick Thomson added a goal with four assists.

Steenhuis and John Tavares combined for six goals and six assists to lead Buffalo in a losing effort.