The Vancouver Warriors take on the Philadelphia Wings in their final game of the 24-25 regular season

Megan Swain/GATG

The Vancouver Warriors game against the Philadelphia Wings marked their final game of the 24-25 regular season. The Warriors looked for a big win to close out their regular season and guarantee home field-advantage for their first National Lacrosse League (NLL) playoff matchup.

On April 19, 2025 the Warriors did just that, defeating the Wings with a final score of 11-5, securing Rogers Arena’s first ever Warriors playoff games and ending the Wings playoff hopes.

First Quarter

The first two minutes of the game were all about the Wings, but the Warriors struck first, scoring 2:13 into the first quarter. Marcus Klarich got the goal, marking his 20th of the season. Not even a minute later the Wings struck back to tie the game at one.

Keegan Bal got his 42nd of the season on the powerplay, regaining the Warriors lead at 2-1. However later in the quarter, the Wings got a breakaway and tied the game again. This tie did not last long, as not even a minute later Adam Charalambides regained the Warriors lead.

After Charalambides goal the Warriors added a couple more in the quarter, with Riley Loewen scoring the final goal of the quarter. Giving the Warriors a 5-3 lead over the Wings. A lead they would keep for the rest of the game.

Second Quarter

The second quarter was all Warriors. Four players each got their second goal of the game. Loewen, Klarich, and Charalambides, each continued their scoring streak from the first quarter to get their second of the evening.

Dylan McIntosh was the third player to get two goals, scoring the ninth and tenth goals of the quarter to close out the scoring in the first half. Not only did McIntosh score twice in the quarter, but he assisted on two of the goals, resulting in a four point quarter for him.

The Warriors doubled their score from 5 to 10 and kept the Wings off the score sheet to finish the second quarter with a 10-3 lead.

Third Quarter

While the second quarter did not see the Wings on the score sheet, the roles reversed in the third quarter and the Warriors did not make it onto the score sheet.

When asked about what he liked about the Warriors game Head Coach and General Manager, Curt Malawsky said, “We were real good early and then we kinda slowed down a little bit in the second half, but I think that was just more preservation mode and kinda looking to next week.” 

The Wings scored one goal in the third quarter for an ending score of 10-4 in favour of the Warriors.

Fourth Quarter

In the fourth quarter, each team scored once. The Warriors only goal of the fourth quarter came from Bal, his second of the night and 43rd of the season.

Continuing on about what he liked about the Warriors game, Malawsky commented, “I thought our fourth quarter was better, overall I can’t complain. The guys left it all out there, we got the lead we needed, and we were able to secure it and finish the game.” 

The Warriors came out strong early, and held on for the victory for their final regular season game. The Wings scored a second in the fourth quarter, but a successful challenge from Malawsky saw this goal overturned for a final score of 11-5.

Del Bianco Remain Perfect

Heading into the game against the Wings, the Warriors were on a five-game winning streak, led by Christian Del Bianco and his 5-0 record with the Warriors since being traded to the team. With the win against Philadelphia, the Warriors and Del Bianco have now finished the regular season on a six-game winning streak. 

“Well I think [Del Bianco] has made a big difference, let’s be honest.” Said Malawsky when talking about the Warriors win streak to close the regular season, “Y’know [Walsh], it wasn’t that he wasn’t good, but I think [Del Bianco] has been a huge part, he calms us down up front, his rebound control has been really good, and then I think guys, they just gravitate towards his leadership.”

Del Bianco and the Warriors looked strong in their final games of the regular season and will work to carry forward that success to the playoffs.

Looking Ahead

The Warriors playoff season begins Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Rogers Arena, when the Warriors host the Rochester Knighthawks in their first ever home playoff game.

The Warriors haven’t faced the Knighthawks since week three, and in order to prepare to face them in the quarter-final round of the NLL playoffs, “we’ll go back and watch Rochester,” Malawsky says.