Blizzard Remains Third Seed in American Conference
July 12, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Despite their heart-wrenching 40-37 loss to the Steamwheelers in Quad City on Saturday night, the Green Bay Blizzard has retained the #3 seed in the af2's American Conference, and is one week closer to hosting a first-round playoff game.
With only 3 weeks remaining in the 2005 regular season, the Blizzard (8-5) still trails East Division rivals the Manchester Wolves (11-2) and South Division Champion Florida Firecats (11-2). Florida has locked up at least the #2 seed by virtue of its Division Title, and if Manchester is able to defeat the Louisville Fire (8-5), the Wolves will hold all head-to-head tiebreakers in the East Division, and will most likely hold on to the #1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the af2 playoffs.
The Blizzard went into Quad City (7-6) on a two-game winning streak, but was unable to overcome 5 turnovers and numerous penalties. Still, the Blizzard was in position to tie the game with only seconds remaining, but a 51-yard field goal attempt by K Henrik Juul-Nielsen was wide left. The win over the Blizzard avenged a 56-49 loss in Green Bay earlier in the season. The âWheelers are trying to lock up a National Conference playoff berth and are still riding high following victories in consecutive weeks over the playoff-bound Wolves and Blizzard.
The Blizzard is back in action this Friday, as they travel to Albany, NY to take on the Conquest (3-10). The two teams met in Week 1 in Green Bay, and the Blizzard prevailed 49-41. The win was the first-ever victory as Head Coach for new leader Bob Landsee, who had previously spent several years as an Assistant Coach with teams in the Arena Football League.
The following week the Blizzard heads home for a potential second-round match-up against the Florida Firecats on Saturday, July 23 at the Resch Center. The game will be played on "Fan Appreciation Night," when fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, soda and beer.
The Blizzard is also holding the St. Mary's Hospital Bone & Joint Center Kids Camp the day before, from 10:30am-12:00 noon on Friday, July 22. Boys and girls age 8-14 are invited to take part in an authentic Arena Football practice with Blizzard players and coaches. Registration is only $5, and all participants will receive a t-shirt and a ticket to Saturday night's game against the Firecats.
In other news, two members of the Blizzard have been nominated for year-end af2 League Awards:
Head Coach Bob Landsee is one of five finalists for af2 Coach of the Year. Landsee has led the Blizzard to numerous franchise records in 2005, including a number of firsts: first-ever winning season, first-ever home wining record, and first-ever playoff berth. He has led the Blizzard to their most wins in a season (8 and counting), most road victories in a season (3 and counting), and is looking to lock up the franchise's first-ever home playoff game.
Additionally, DS Ryan Bowers has been nominated for ADT Defensive Player of the Year. Bowers is currently tied for first in the league with 9 interceptions, is sixth in the league with 79 yards in interception returns, and is tied for third in the league with 1 interception return for a touchdown. He also ranks fifth in the league with 79 tackles (64 unassisted).
For more information, or to get your Blizzard tickets, contact the Blizzard office at (920) 405-1264.
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