NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



CIFL Northern Division Playoff Overview and Outlook

May 6, 2014 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Erie, PA)- The 2013 CIFL Champion Erie Explosion will travel to Saginaw, MI to face the Saginaw Sting in the first round of the 2014 CIFL Playoffs on Friday May 9th with kickoff scheduled at 7:30pm from the Dow Event Center. Erie (8-2) will face the Sting (9-1) in the CIFL Northern Division Championship game with the winner receiving a berth in the 2014 CIFL Championship game against the winner of the Marion Blue Racers and the Northern Kentucky Rivermonsters in the South Division. This will be the third meeting all-time between the Explosion and Sting, with Erie holding a (2-1) series lead. Erie won both contests against Saginaw last season including a thrilling 37-36 victory over the Sting in the 2013 CIFL Championship Game. Saginaw defeated Erie (45-27) on March 2nd at the Dow Event Center as the Sting erupted for 31 second half points to blow open a game that was tied 14-14 at the half. Erie finished the season with five consecutive victories, while the Sting dropped their final game of the regular season 34-28 to the Chicago Blitz. Saginaw was forced to play the game with rookie quarterback Sam Landry following the season ending injury to A.J. McKenna.

The Erie Explosion finished the 2014 regular season with the leagues top ranked offense (55.62ppg) and defense (24.62) for the second consecutive season. Saginaw finished the 2014 campaign with the leagues second ranked offense (49.87ppg) and third ranked defense (30.00ppg). Since the 2011 season the Erie Explosion and the Saginaw Sting are two of the most successful franchises in all of professional indoor football. The Explosion have a 38-9 record (81%), and the Saginaw Sting have a 35-9 record (80%) since the 2011 season. The Explosion are one of only two teams to have defeated the Sting at the Dow Event Center since 2012.

"We have been preparing for this game for the past several weeks, and we are excited to hit the road to Saginaw with an opportunity to take the first step towards the 2014 CIFL Championship. Saginaw is an extremely talented team with an excellent fan base and I expect a tremendous playoff atmosphere at the Dow Event Center on Friday. It is hard to find any weakness on their team; they have a tenacious defense, a high powered offense, and a great kicker. Saginaw dominated us in week three, and we have been working hard to improve as the season progressed. We look forward to getting a shot at redemption on Friday night in Saginaw," commented Erie Head Coach Shawn Liotta.

• Discuss this story on the Continental Indoor Football League message board...

Continental Indoor Football League Stories from May 6, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Erie Explosion Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central