Storm at Blaze game preview
Tuesday April 2, 2013
The Storm Takes on The Blaze on April 6 at 10:00 PM EST
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm head to Salt Lake City, UT for this week’s matchup against the Utah Blaze on Saturday, April 6 at 10:00 PM EST. This will be the fourth time the teams have met, with the Storm holding a 2-1 advantage in the series.
In its second game, the Storm came through with a 22-point win over the Cleveland Gladiators, its first of the season. The game had a balanced offensive attack with quarterback Adrian McPherson finding multiple receivers for eight passing touchdowns.
Storm wide receiver Joe Hills was the game’s leading receiver with 10 catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns. With his three touchdowns on the night, Hills has extended his multi-touchdown streak to six games. However, not to be ignored is his teammate Greg Ellingson. Through two games Ellingson is tied for second in the AFL in receptions, averaging 10 per game. Last week versus Cleveland he had five catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
The Storm receiving game was balanced by a rushing attack led by its quarterback. McPherson hit the field at a torrid pace rushing for 31 yards and two touchdowns. Heading into this week’s matchup he leads the league in rushing yards (89), yards per rush (6.8) and rushing touchdowns (7).
Not to be ignored is the Storm defense. Currently the team is ranked second in turnover margin with a plus-five. The revamped defense began to see the fruits of its labor this past weekend with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Come Saturday, the defensive backfield will have its work cut out for it as it hopes to slow down Blaze QB Tommy Grady and his go-to receiver Mario Urrutia, both of whom have hooked up 13 times for 186 yards and six touchdowns. However, Grady leads the league in interceptions with six, which should be enticing to the defense.
The Blaze comes into this game looking for answers. Going into halftime this past weekend, the team was only down by five points to defending ArenaBowl Champion Arizona Rattlers. That all changed in the third quarter when the Blaze gave up 20 unanswered, including a disastrous 22-yard interception that was returned for a touchdown in the opening minutes of the stanza. The Blaze will look to get back on track this week and ride a defense that has four interceptions and four sacks.
A win would put either team a game over .500, and help improve their rank in the standings.
The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm was awarded the 2012 AFL Support Staff of the Year. Single game tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800.745.3000 or by visiting the McDonalds® Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting TampaBayStorm.com or by calling 813.301.6600. Additionally fans and sponsors can follow the Storm on Facebook (Tampa Bay Storm) or Twitter (@tampabaystorm) for up to date news and exclusive content.
