Blizzard downs Iron for Milk Can
GAME TIME
Who: Thunder (2-13) vs. Green Bay Blizzard (9-6).
When: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Cortland Banks Field in the Covelli Centre.
Tickets: (330) 758-4232.
At stake: The Thunder can finish an awfully disappointing season with two consecutive wins. They haven’t had a winning streak since the first three games of their existence in 2007, when they began 3-0. The Blizzard defeated Milwaukee 60-20 last Friday to clinch their fifth consecutive af2 playoff spot.
Radio: WBBW-AM (1240).
Green Bay won a rivalry game in af2 last weekend before heading to the Valley.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
GREEN BAY, Wis. — It wasn’t Green Bay’s 60-20 win over Milwaukee last Friday that had the Blizzard fans buzzing.
With a total scoring performance of over 55 points, Blizzard fans were rewarded with a free scoop of custard courtesy of Culver’s, and a free hotdog from Anduzzi’s Sports Bar.
The game between in-state rivals was also noteworthy in two other ways: It marked the inaugural battle for the Milk Can and it was Robert “Superman” Garth’s retirement night.
In front of over 7,000 fans, Blizzard quarterback Gino Guidugli completed 18 of 25 passes for 218 and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiver Nate Forse had nine catches for 112 yards and three TDs.
In the second quarter, Garth had a 5-yard reception for a touchdown. He finished with five receptions for 32 yards and two TDs and earned the JLS Ironman award.
After the Iron scored in the middle of the first quarter, the Blizzard defense toughened up and didn’t allow another score until midway through the fourth quarter.
Green Bay receiver Anthony Crissingier-Hill also had five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown and Terry Love had two receptions for 62 yards and a TD.
Blizzard DB Shadrach Okoebor took a 10-yard fumble recovery to the house to give the Blizzard a 53-7 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Guidugli threw one interception. Green Bay also had players-of-the-game for: defense (Tracy Belton), catch (Love) and hit (Anthony Hoke).
Green Bay special teams coordinator Mike Muehling has been added to the Syracuse University football staff. Muehling was in his first season with the Blizzard but will miss the final games due to the Syracuse program beginning preparation for its upcoming season.
When asked about missing out on the Blizzard’s upcoming playoff surge Muehling said, “It is sad to be leaving the Blizzard at this point in the season, because I have grown so close with the team and the staff.
Green Bay (9-6) will be the second American Conference Midwest Division team the Thunder will have faced in the last three weeks. Peoria beat Mahoning Valley on July 11, 76-34. The Thunder also lost twice to another Midwest division franchise: the Milwaukee Iron, 59-39 and 58-47.
Green Bay is second in the Midwest division behind the Iowa Barnstormers (11-4). The Blizzard is 4-4 at home and 5-2 on the road. However, like Mahoning Valley, it has a one-game winning streak.