LAS VEGAS (Jan. 12, 2026) – The Las Vegas Desert Dogs (2–3) will look to get back on track Saturday when they host the 13th-place Philadelphia Wings (1–3) at Penta Field inside Lee’s Family Forum. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. PST.
The teams met twice last season in back-to-back games on Dec. 14 and 20, 2024, with Philadelphia winning both matchups. Las Vegas will have a chance to make history against the Wings, as the Desert Dogs are still seeking their first victory in the series. Philadelphia holds a 4–0 all-time record in the matchup.
DOGS RUSHED OVER IN LOSS TO SASKATCHEWAN
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs lost 21–15 to the Saskatchewan Rush (5–1) as Saskatchewan’s power play proved decisive. Chris Cloutier scored three goals for Las Vegas, while Mitch Jones, Chase Fraser and Jonathan Donville each finished with seven points. Jones recorded three goals and four assists, Fraser added two goals and five assists, and Donville contributed one goal and six assists. Despite consistent offensive production and a late fourth-quarter push, Saskatchewan’s four-for-six performance on the power play and sustained scoring runs were too much for Las Vegas to overcome.
Goaltenders Landon Kells and Caleb Khan both saw action for the Desert Dogs and combined for a 66% save percentage, 11.5 percentage points below the Week 7 NLL average. The appearance marked the first action of Khan’s career, as the 18-year-old became the youngest player in franchise history to appear in a Desert Dogs game.
While defensive mistakes proved costly, Las Vegas showed promise offensively and could emerge as a league threat as the defensive side of the ball improves.
IT IS NOT SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA
The start of the season has fallen short of expectations for the Wings, who opened with a win over the Colorado Mammoth but have dropped three straight games since. They have struggled on the road, losing both away contests with a minus-8 goal differential. Philadelphia also ranks last in the NLL in shots taken (263) while allowing the most shots against (330), an area the Desert Dogs can look to exploit.
One strength for the Wings is their power play, which ranks second in the NLL at 57%, a notable factor after Las Vegas struggled to defend man-advantage situations in its previous game. Rookie Dalton Young leads all rookies and all defensemen in the league with 10 assists. Brennan O’Neill leads Philadelphia with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) and is the team’s only 20-point scorer, recording his first career sock trick with six goals against Ottawa. Joe Resetarits follows with 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists), while Eric Fannell has added 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists).
The matchup presents an opportunity for Las Vegas to get back in the win column, but Philadelphia has the talent to score in bunches. The outcome will likely hinge on which team remains disciplined defensively and capitalizes on its offensive chances.
MILESTONES
Tony Malcolm needs 4 goals to reach 100 career NLL goals and 4 assists to reach 150 career NLL assists.
Kyle Killen is 9 goals away from 150 career NLL goals.
Mitch Jones is 9 goals away from 300 career NLL goals.
Jonathan Donville achieved 200 career NLL assists in game against Saskatchewan.
LVDD POINT LEADERS
#16 Mitch Jones – 33 points (14G, 19A)
#3 Jonathan Donville – 28 points (6G, 22A)
#25 Chris Cloutier – 24 points (10G, 14A)
#8 Chase Fraser – 20 points (8G, 12A)
#91 Adam Poitras – 11 points (7G, 4A)
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE GAME
Saturday’s home game will feature “Decker’s Derby Night”, celebrating our mascot Decker’s birthday evening in his honor! The night will include a “Best in Show” contest featuring Decker and his friends, along with a Kids Club postgame autograph session on PENTA Field. Fans can also take advantage of a special $69 package that includes two sideline tickets and two limited-edition LVDD “Trapper Style” hats, available HERE!
All fans in attendance will receive a pair of thundersticks to help bring the noise at Lee’s Family Forum. Doors open at 6 p.m. PST, with pregame festivities beginning at 4:30 p.m. PST during the Big Dog’s Tailgate, which will feature a big screen showing the NFL Divisional Playoffs. Den Deals will be available throughout the game, offering $5 food items along with $5 Good Boy Lagers and Twisted Tail POG-flavored seltzers.
Fans 21 and older can continue the night at the Official After Party at the Rio Hotel & Casino’s VooDoo Lounge from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
🎟️ General tickets can be purchased at lasvegasdesertdogs.com/tickets 🎟️
ABOUT LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are a professional box lacrosse team and a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Known for their dedication to excellence and their passionate fanbase, the Desert Dogs have become a symbol of local pride for the city of Las Vegas and one of the most entertaining nights out. The Desert Dogs play 18 games in the regular season, 9 home games + 9 away games. All home games are played at Lee’s Family Forum located in Henderson, NV, minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Games can be viewed locally on FOX 5, SSSEN, YouTube TV, ESPN+ and select games on ESPN2 and ESPNU. To stay updated on all things Las Vegas Desert Dogs, visit our official website lasvegasdesertdogs.com and follow us on social media @VegasDesertDogs on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
ABOUT NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s largest professional lacrosse league and welcomed more than 1 million fans for the third consecutive year during the 2024-25 season. Founded in 1986, the NLL is comprised of 14 franchises across Canada and the United States, and recently unveiled its largest brand campaign ever, “Welcome to The Next Major League™” and introduced its comprehensive grassroots initiative, NLL UnBOXed™, that will expand the League’s footprint to 60 communities across North America by 2028. For the latest scores and developments in the National Lacrosse League, please visit: NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok. Games are available live and streaming on TSN, TSN+, ESPN, and NLL+.
For all media inquiries please contact, Dana Mariotti, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, [email protected].
To request media credentials to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs Home Opener, please click [HERE] (https://share.hsforms.com/1xZjaLgzpT4S8qQQAGGvjBQc19mw).
