Wings fire announcer after insensitive remarks

Josh Currier scores hat trick in Philly loss

PHILADELPHIA — Shawny Hill has been fired by the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League two days after he made racially insensitive comments about a First Nations player on the visiting Georgia Swarm.

The Wings put out a statement on Monday saying Hill had been “permanently removed” from the role. Hill’s Twitter profile also states that he was a TV announcer for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. The Wings’ statement says that he has been suspended from all in-arena announcing assignments.

Hill called for Swarm forward Lyle Thompson to have his ponytail cut off during Georgia’s 13-11 win on Saturday night. Thompson, from Onondaga Nation, N.Y., and his brothers Jerome and Miles all play for the Swarm and wear braided ponytails in tribute to their Indigenous heritage.

“The Wings are working closely with the National Lacrosse League to implement ongoing diversity training for all employees which will include a focus on the Native North American roots and traditions of the sport,” said the Wings statement Monday. “The Wings remain deeply apologetic for the offensive comments.”

Peterborough Laker Holden Cattoni had two goals and four assists for the Swarm, while Peterborough’s Josh Currier had three goals and an assist for the winless Wings and Peterborough Laker goalie Doug Buchan saved 29 of 36 shots faced to take the loss

Hellyer’s hat trick carries Rock past winless Mammoth DENVER — Rob Hellyer had three goals, including two in the final frame, and tacked on two assists as the Toronto Rock pulled out an 11-10 victory over the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday.

Peterborough Laker Adam Jones scored a pair of goals, while Brock Sorensen, Kieran McArdle, Creighton Reid, Johnny Powless, Dan Craig and Tom Schreiber also scored for the Rock (3-1). Brad Self had an assist for Colorado.

McIntosh nets five goals to lead Rush past Warriors

VANCOUVER — Ben McIntosh scored five goals and added three assists as the Saskatchewan Rush topped the Vancouver Warriors for a 14-10 victory Saturday.

Matthew Dinsdale, Mark Matthews and Jeff Shattler each had a pair of goals, while Curtis Knight, Ryan Keenan and Jeremy Thompson added singles for the Rush (2-1).

Jordan McBride and Mitch Jones both had hat tricks to lead the Warriors (1-4), Brandon Goodwin, Owen Barker, Colton Porter and Tony Malcom rounded out the offence.

Peterborough Laker goalie Evan Kirk made 40 saves in the victory.

Leblanc collects nine points in Black Wolves win

CALGARY — Stephan Leblanc scored a hat trick and added six assists as the New England Black Wolves downed the Calgary Roughnecks 16-10 on Saturday.

Reilly O’Connor paced the Black Wolves (2-1) with four goals, Callum Crawford and Tyler Digby each had a pair, while David Brock, Seth Oakes, Colton Watkinson, Dereck Downs, and JP Kealey added singles.

Dane Dobbie led the Roughnecks (3-2) with four goals, Chris Boushy and Ryan Martel had two goals apiece, and Dan Taylor and Reece Callies also scored.

Buchanan has five points as Seals win first home game ever SAN DIEGO — Peterborough Laker Kyle Buchanan had two goals and three assists and Peterborough’s Turner Evans had a goal as the San Diego Seals edged the Rochester Knighthawks 12-10 on Saturday night in the NLL expansion’s club first home game ever.

Peterborough’s Cory Vitarelli had two goals and an assist for Rochester.

NLL schedule

Friday, Jan. 18

Georgia at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Calgary at San Diego, 10 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Georgia at New England, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Rochester at Saskatchewan, 8:30 p.m.

San Diego at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 20

Calgary at Colorado, 3 p.m.