Michael Sowers scored four goals and added an assist to power the host Philadelphia Waterdogs to an 11-9 victory over the Maryland Whipsnakes in their regular-season finale Sunday.
The Waterdogs (9-3), who had already secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, received a stellar performance from Sean Byrne, who recorded 20 saves. Matt Collison added two goals, and CJ Kirst contributed a goal and an assist. Dox Aitken, Kyle Lewis, Kieran McArdle and Alec Stathakis each scored once.
Aidan Carroll had a hat trick for the Whipsnakes (5-7). Rob Pannell scored twice, and TJ Malone and Joey Spallina each finished with a goal and an assist. Emmet Carroll made 16 saves.
Philadelphia built an 8-5 lead by halftime. Maryland mounted a comeback, holding the Waterdogs scoreless in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 8-7. The Whipsnakes tied the score at 8-8 on a goal from Matt Brandau just 55 seconds into the final period.
The Waterdogs responded by scoring three straight goals from Aitken, Lewis and Collison to pull ahead 11-8.
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