Thunder Live/Fever chilled

The Thunder's third touchdown of the fourth quarter sealed Tri-Cities' fate in Youngstown's

initial arena game. Mahoning Valley's 48-27 lead sent many fans scurrying to the exits, most with smiles.

With 11:45 to go, the Thunder are back in the lead after Chris Archie caught his third touchdown pass, this one for 12 yards for a 34-27 lead.

Whatever momentum the Thunder had has evaporated as the lead has been reduced to 27-20 after a very l-o-n-g third quarter. Interceptions led to two of the Fever's three scores in that quarter.

Arena football has onside kicks. The Fever just tried one — and failed, giving the Thunder a first-and-goal at the 10, with Mahoning Valley leading, 27-14, in the third quarter.

A favorite play was the sprint touchdown caught by Chris Archie after he sprinted from the goal line, hit scrimmage as the ball was snapped and hauled in Glenn Gauntt's pass near the other goal line, extending the Thunder's lead to 27-7 six minutes into the second half.

Twenty seconds before halftime, quarterback Glen Gauntt scored the Thunder's second rushing touchdown. Derek Schorejs' extra-point kick extended Mahoning Valley's lead to 20-0.

Even more impresssive than the Thunder's three scoring drives is the defensive unit's five stops on the Fever's first five possessions.

Field goals appear to be rare items in arena football. The Thunder's Derek Schorejs just tried one from about the Thunder 5.

The opening at the other end is very narrow and the ball hit the net, essentially serving the same purpose as a punt. The ball fell into the end zone and was returned a few yards. It's hard to imagine a lot of kicks going in between the nets from that far out.

The Thunder are off to a great start. Their first touchdown was scored on a Chris Archie reception on the final play of the third quarter.

The lead has grown to 13-0 after quarterback Glen Gauntt hit Kenny Johnson with a pass to the 3. One play later, Tim Frost rambled in for the team's first rushing score and a 13-0 edge.

Midway through the first quarter, very few seats in the 6,000-seat arena aren't filled. Considering the Ohio State basketball competition, it's a good sign for the Thunder.

Want to hear cheers? Listen to the Thunder player introductions and listen for Youngstown references and you'll feel thunder. Youngstown State and Ursuline were popular announcements as game-time neared.

Twenty minutes before kickoff, the inside of the Chevrolet Centre has sauna-like conditions. If your only experience here has been SteelHounds hockey, it's a definite change of climate.

A very popular question from fans awaiting the Mahoning Valley Thunder's first game: "What's the Ohio State score?"

So far, the hardest hit was delivered to the media from a Chevy Centre employee armed with a walkie-talkie who stormed into the press box and warned: "Stay away from the buffet line."