For the fourth straight year, the Philadelphia Wings will watch the National Lacrosse League playoffs from the stands.

This comes despite Philadelphia's 14-11 victory over the Buffalo Bandits on Saturday night at the Wachovia Center, because the Wings did not get the necessary help in other games this evening.

In reality, the Wings' best chance at the playoffs was thrown away when they lost Friday night in Buffalo, leaving them dependent on Toronto and Minnesota winning their games; both lost.

Buffalo, on the other hand, had nothing to play for but pride -- the Bandits wrapped up the top seed in the playoffs last night, and used this game as a chance to rest up and give valuable playing time to young players.

The Wings jumped to an early lead Saturday night by scoring the first two goals, from Jake Bergey and Jeff Ratcliffe. Jason Crosbie scored Buffalo’s lone goal of the period at 12:20, which was countered by a Dan Marohl tally twenty five seconds later.

Bergey capped off the opening period with his second goal to give the Wings a 4-1 lead at the horn.

Mike Regan opened the second quarter scoring for the Wings, then Buffalo’s John Tavares and Crosbie sandwiched Wing Keith Cromwell.

Philadelphia then created some separation with power play goals by Ratcliffe and Peter Jacobs, the latter pulling in his own faceoff win and walking in for an unassisted goal.

Bergey completed his hat trick a short time later, giving the Wings a six-goal lead, but Tavares battled back and scored twice to finish his own hat trick, bringing the score to 9-5 at the half.

Philadelphia once again opened the scoring in the third quarter, a Ratcliffe power play goal 32 seconds in. Kim Squire retaliated on an ensuing power play, but the Bandits were smacked down by three more Wings goals, courtesy of Brad Self, Jeff Spano, and Sean Greenhalgh.

Jon Harasym found rope once more for the Bandits before the period ended 13-7 in favor of the Wings.

The fourth quarter opened on a positive note for Buffalo. First, Dan Teat scored on a power play less than one minute into the period, then a penalty shot was awarded to Billy Dee Smith on a Jeff Spano interference call; Smith beat Philly netminder Matt Roik, and the Bandits were within 13-9.

Marc Morley scored 27 seconds later for a much-needed lead-builder, as Teat followed with a power play goal and a hat trick-completing even strength goal.

Roik (36 saves) held Buffalo scoreless for the remainder of the period, securing the victory. Bandit goaltender Ken Montour was outstanding as well, making 44 saves, 17 of them in the fourth quarter.

Tavares led all scorers with eight points, on three goals and five assists. Marohl recorded six points (one goal, five assists) for the Wings.

The Wings finish the season at 8-8, out of the playoffs on a tiebreaker. Buffalo will host the Minnesota Swarm in an Eastern Division semifinal next weekend.