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2006 ArenaCup quick hitters

August 25, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

FIRST THINGS FIRST FOR THE 2006 ARENACUP
Saturday's 2006 ArenaCup will mark many firsts for arenafootball2 and the game of Arena Football. Look below to see firsts for this Saturday and some notes regarding the reach of Arena Football that you may not know.
- First Arena Football game in Puerto Rico
- First Arena Football championship game outside of the United States (Though numerous exhibition games have been played in Europe and the Toronto Phantoms of the AFL called Canada home from 2001-2002)
- First arenafootball2 game outside of the US 50 states. (This is however not the first af2 game played outside of the continental United States as the Hawaiian Islanders played in af2 from 2002-2004)

DESTINATION: ARENACUP
Some have said in life it is not the destination that matters, but the journey. Probably not best to tell this to the loser of Saturday's game. With that said, look below to view both Spokane and Green Bay's postseason journey to ArenaCup7.

SPOKANE
First Round: BYE
Semifinals: The Shock defeated Bakersfield 50-47 in perhaps the best postseason game of 2006. Bakersfield led the Shock 33-19 in the third quarter when Spokane mounted a late charge to jump ahead 40-33. But as the clock wound down to just 18 seconds left it was Bakersfield jumping ahead 47-43. Bakersfield had one of the best defenses during the regular season, but they couldn't stop Spokane for 18 seconds as KYLE ROWLEY found CHARLES FREDERICK on a 20-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left for the win.
Conference Finals: Spokane led the Arkansas Twisters at halftime 26-19, but the Twisters clearly had the momentum as they stopped the Shock on their last drive of the first half. The Twisters had possession to start the second half, but even before their comeback could begin the Shock put a stop to it. The Shock forced Arkansas into a long missed field goal and the Shock followed up with a touchdown to make it a two score game. On Arkansas' next offensive possession the Shock forced a fumble on Arkansas' first play. Four plays later the Shock had a touchdown, a three-possession lead and San Juan, Puerto Rico in their sights. Final score, Spokane 48 and Arkansas 30.

GREEN BAY
First Round: BYE
Semifinals: The Blizzard started out their postseason run with their first home playoff game in franchise history against defending champion Memphis. Early on though it looked like Memphis had the advantage, jumping out to a 20-7 lead. Then Green Bay got serious, scoring three straight touchdowns including a ROBERT GARTH 12-yard fumble recovery for a score. As the game went on Green Bay's pressure up front was too much for Memphis and the Blizzard went on to win 67-50.
Conference Finals: Green Bay took their snow show on the road down to Florida as Green Bay faced the Florida Firecats in the American Conference Championship game. The 2005 ArenaCup Champion Memphis Xplorers didn't intimidate Green Bay the week before, so the 2004 ArenaCup Champion Florida Firecats proved to be no challenge for Green Bay either. The Blizzard jumped out to an early 27-6 lead with the help of the arm of JAMES MacPHERSON, who finished the game 23-of-28 for 282 yards and seven touchdowns. Green Bay defeated Florida 60-47.

A LOOK AT COMMON OPPONENTS
Despite their distance apart, both Spokane and Green Bay have played eight games against five common opponents. Spokane holds a 7-1 record in these contests; Green Bay holds a 5-3 record. Look below to see how each team performed against similar competition.
Opponents Spokane Green Bay
Albany Week 13 vs. Albany(49-46, W) Week 1 vs. Albany(40-48, L)Week 9 at Albany(56-51, W)
Everett Week 3 vs. Everett(44-41, W)Week 7 at Everett(58-29, W)Week 17 vs. Everett(69-68, W) Week 16 at Everett(55-52, W)
Louisville Week 11 at Louisville(69-79, L) Week 5 at Louisville(39-45, L)Week 18 vs. Louisville(54-53, W)
Quad City Week 9 vs. Quad City(68-63, W) Week 3 at Quad City(57-34, W)Week 8 vs. Quad City(40-35, W)
Stockton Week 1 vs. Stockton (41-40, W)Week 16 at Stockton(63-44, W) Week 11 vs. Stockton(62-68, L OT)

BUSY TIMES AROUND THE ISLAND
Arena Football prides itself on being a total entertainment experience with many more activities than just football on gameday. With this same philosophy in mind, ArenaCup Week is no different. Both Spokane and Green Bay have been busy since arriving into town on Wednesday. That night they were treated to the second annual team welcome dinner in which they were officially welcomed to ArenaCup Week and received player gift bags. After the welcome dinner on Wednesday the Spokane Shock practiced at the arena in the evening, getting a feel for the field at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Thursday morning both teams were out and about again. Green Bay took in a practice at the Coliseo at 8:30 a.m. while Spokane made a visit to the San Jorge Children's Hospital. After Green Bay's practice and Spokane's hospital visit both teams participated in the 2006 ArenaCup Media Day. Spokane followed Media Day with a practice of their own while Green Bay visited the Roberto Clemente Sports City to assist with a Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Later in the evening both teams attended the 2006 ArenaCup Fan Fest. After Fan Fest players from both teams appeared on the local Telemundo station to publicize the game on Saturday. Friday is a bit slower for the two teams. Both practice at the arena and both will attend "ArenaCup Friday Night" which features the awards party. For the first time in af2 history, the awards party will be held on the beach of the host hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort.

MORE FOR FOUR
Green Bay better get out to an early lead on Saturday because the Shock own the final quarter. During the regular season the Shock outscored their opponents by 135 points (251-116) in the fourth quarter.

UNDERDOGS IN THE DOG HOUSE
If Green Bay wins this Saturday they will be bucking seven years worth of af2 history. That's because the team with the better regular season record has won every ArenaCup. Look below to see the regular season records of every ArenaCup team to date.

ArenaCup Winner (Regular Season) Loser (Regular Season)
2000 Quad City (16-0) Tennessee Valley (10-6)
2001 Quad City (15-1) Richmond (13-3)
2002 Peoria (11-5) Florida (9-7)
2003 Tulsa (13-3) Macon (10-6)
2004 Florida (10-6) Peoria (9-7)
2005 Memphis (13-3) Louisville (11-5)

THE SIEGFRIED ADVANTAGE
If af2 experience is an advantage in the ArenaCup, then the edge needs to go to Spokane this Saturday. Shock Head Coach CHRIS SIEGFRIED has won more af2 games (56) than anyone else in league history. A win on Saturday would give him his first ArenaCup Championship and tie him with FRANK HAEGE (Quad City 2000,2001) for second most postseason victories with six. Green Bay's Head Coach BOB LANDSEE holds a 21-14 career record with a 2-1 postseason mark. Landsee, however, does have four years of AFL coaching experience to his credit as an assistant. Before he got into coaching, he enjoyed a very successful playing career as an offensive lineman.

SHOCK LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY
Excluding the inaugural 2000 season, Spokane is the first franchise to advance to the ArenaCup in their first year of existence. A win of course, would also make them the first expansion franchise to win the ArenaCup.

arenafootball2 Stories from August 25, 2006

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.