Chicago Storm Set to Tangle with Philadelphia KiXX Tonight

Published on February 25, 2005 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


Chicago (Friday, February 25, 2005) – After dropping a 4-3 heartbreaking overtime loss to rival Milwaukee Wave which ended their six-game winning streak, the Chicago Storm will look to rebound during a two-game home-stand slated for this weekend. The "Yellow and Black" will first tangle with the MISL-leading Philadelphia KiXX on Friday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT at the UIC Pavilion. The game can be heard live on www.chicagostorm.net in English and on Univision Radio WRTO 1200 AM in Spanish. The Storm will then host the two-time defending champion Baltimore Blast on Sunday, February 27 at 3:00 p.m. CT at the Pavilion. That game can be heard live via www.chicagostorm.net.

Individual tickets are available and range in price from $8 to $25 and can be purchased by calling the Storm's front office (312) 226-GOAL (4625), Ticketmaster (312) 559-1212 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Fans can also purchase individual tickets at the UIC box office located on 525 South Racine, Chicago, IL 60607. The box office is open from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Chicago Storm vs. Philadelphia KiXX

UIC Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. CT

English Radio: www.chicagostorm.net

Spanish Radio: WRTO 1200 AM

Chicago Storm vs. Baltimore Blast

UIC Pavilion, 3:00 p.m. CT

English Radio: www.chicagostorm.net

Spanish Radio: WRTO 1200 AM

Storm Injury Report

Costea Decu – stress fracture right leg – IR

Awadalla Morad – sports hernia – IR

Officials

Senior Referee: Richard Heron

Referee: Kelly R Ross

Assistant Referee: Jason Kolisch

Fourth Official: Peter Balciunas

Last Time: The last time the Chicago Storm faced the Philadelphia KiXX was a home-and-home match-up on December 12 and 17 of 2004. The Storm dropped the first game in Philadelphia 9-5 and the following game at the UIC Pavilion 9-4. The two losses started the Storm on a seven-game losing skid that the team pulled out of to roll off six straight wins. The Storm did defeat the KiXX in the first ever meeting between the teams, as the "Yellow and Black" triumphed 7-4 at the Wachovia Spectrum on November 14.

Alavanja Streaks to Six: Chicago Storm midfielder/defender Lazo Alavanja has put together a six-game point-scoring streak after bagging one goal at the 1:20 mark in the second quarter of a 4-3 OT loss on the road against rival Milwaukee Wave this past Sunday afternoon. This goal was good enough to break the team record of a five-game point-scoring streak previously held by forward Bryon Alvarez and midfielder/forward Nino DaSilva. Alavanja tied the previous team record at the 4:36 mark in the third quarter of an 8-1 victory at home over the St. Louis Steamers on February 18. Alvanja's streak began back to January 23 when he earned two assists in a 7-3 Storm win over Milwaukee. The Crown Point, IN native followed up that performance by scoring the game-winning goal in a 5-3 win over St. Louis at the UIC Pavilion. Alavanja's goal came with 1:04 remaining in the contest to give the Storm their first-ever win over the Steamers. The Indiana product has totaled five goals and three assists for eight points in the six games.

Back Home Again: The Chicago Storm's victory over the St. Louis Steamers on Friday, February 18 ended a seven-game home-stand for the "Yellow and Black" at the UIC Pavilion, where the Storm posted a 6-1 marck including a team-record six-game winning streak. The Storm hit the road for the first time since January 9th and headed north to face off against rival Milwaukee Wave on Sunday February 20, ending the home-stand and the Storm's six-game winning streak after losing a heartbreaker in overtime by the final of 4-3. The "Yellow and Black" will look to extend their home winning streak to seven when they return to the Pavilion to face the Philadelphia KiXX on Friday and the Baltimore Blast on Sunday.

Dynamite Defense: The Chicago Storm has currently won six out of their last seven games, which has been credited to an offense that has scored an average of 6.3 goals a game, although the defense has quietly allowed only an impressive 2.9 goals per game in that same stretch. In the past seven games, the defense of the Storm has stifled their opponent's offensive attack, allowing only 13.3 shots on goal per game. "Yellow and Black" goalkeeper Danny Waltman has solidified his place as one of the top goalkeepers in the league, saving 74 of 94 shots faced in the past five games. The 24-year-old netminder has now saved 270 shots on the season, ranking him third in the league in saves.

Winning "UGHY": Storm forward Mark Ughy has turned out to be a great addition to the team after being acquired by the "Yellow and Black" from the San Diego Sockers back in January. Ever since joining the Storm, the Miskolc, Hungry native has made an immediate impact, tallying nine goals and recording one assist for 10 points in only 8 games played. In the past two games, Ughy has managed to rack up four goals, starting with two goals against in a 5-1 win at home against the Milwaukee Wave on February 11. He proceeded to follow up this performance with a two-goal game in an 8-1 victory at home against the St. Louis Steamers on February 19. Ughy currently leads the team in goals scored with a total of 21 this season.

Game Change: The Chicago Storm's road contest at the St. Louis Steamers scheduled for Saturday, February 12 at the Savvis Center has been changed to Friday, March 25 at 7:35 p.m. CT.

Storm Shots:

· Only four players on the Storm roster have played in all 25 games this season (Novi, Sandre Naumoski, Lazo Alavanja, Gaston Pernia).

· Forward Mark Ughy tallied two more goals in an 8-1 victory at home over the St. Louis Steamers on February 18, bringing his season total to 21 and placing him first on the team in goals scored so far this season.

· Storm defender Fred DeGand picked up his very first goal of the season in an 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Steamers on February 18. The Highland Park, Illinois native tallied one more goal in this game, giving him a total of two on the season so far.

· Storm goalkeeper Danny Waltman recorded 15 saves on 16 shots faced in an 8-1 victory at home over the St. Louis Steamers on February 18, bringning his sason total to 256. The Gig Harbor native allowed only one goal for the second straight game, tying his season low that first took place on November 13, 2004 in a 3-1 victory on the road against the Baltimore Blast.

· Forward Byron Alvarez picked up one goal and one assist in a 4-3 OT loss on the road to rival Milwaukee Wave on Sunday, February 20.

· Storm midfielder Andy Guastaferro recorded one goal and dished out one assist in a 4-3 OT loss on the road to rival Milwaukee Wave on Sunday, February 20.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 25, 2005


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.

OurSports Central