Post by Banana Cat on Jul 17, 2010 10:30:34 GMT -5
www.argusleader.com/article/20100717/SPORTS0305/7170331/1002/sports
IFL title to be played at small complex
Billings' arena took heavy storm damage
matt zimmer / argusleader.com
July 17, 2010
The Storm will be playing in their sixth indoor football championship game in seven years tonight in Billings, but that doesn't mean the atmosphere will be a familiar one.
The host Outlaws have been playing their games at Outlaw SportsPlex, their practice facility, since the playoffs began, because their usual home, Rim Rock Auto Arena at Metro Park, took heavy damage from a tornado.
It's far from an ideal situation, and there were rumors and suggestions that the Outlaws may be forced to play the games on the road despite having earned home-field advantage. The SportsPlex had seating for only about 800 fans for the Outlaws first playoff game; temporary seating has since been added to push capacity to around 1,500.
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Obviously in such tight quarters, it can still get loud in the building, and since the Outlaws practice there regularly, they still claim a home-field advantage. Storm players and coaches aren't sure what to expect.
"I suppose it could be an advantage for them since they practice there all the time," said Storm quarterback Terrance Bryant. "I saw it on film and it doesn't look as bad as people have said. The field is still 50 yards."
Said defensive tackle Cory Johnsen: "I think it might play into our favor a little bit. It probably won't be the same hostile environment we're used to, with 5,000 screaming, Storm-hating fans being in there. But to be honest, it shouldn't matter. If you can't get self-motivated to play in a championship game and get a ring, you shouldn't be making the trip."
Storm coach Kurtiss Riggs pointed out that since his team has lost the last three times they visited the Outlaws' standard arena, moving under a different roof might be a good thing for his team. And playing in tight quarters is nothing new for the Storm, as the Arena in Sioux Falls has long been troublesome for teams because of its small end zones. Their game plan won't be affected, nor will their preparation.
"We're going there to win a championship," Bryant said, before adding: "If it was us, the league would make us play our games on the road. I guarantee you that."
Billings' arena took heavy storm damage
matt zimmer / argusleader.com
July 17, 2010
The Storm will be playing in their sixth indoor football championship game in seven years tonight in Billings, but that doesn't mean the atmosphere will be a familiar one.
The host Outlaws have been playing their games at Outlaw SportsPlex, their practice facility, since the playoffs began, because their usual home, Rim Rock Auto Arena at Metro Park, took heavy damage from a tornado.
It's far from an ideal situation, and there were rumors and suggestions that the Outlaws may be forced to play the games on the road despite having earned home-field advantage. The SportsPlex had seating for only about 800 fans for the Outlaws first playoff game; temporary seating has since been added to push capacity to around 1,500.
Quantcast
Obviously in such tight quarters, it can still get loud in the building, and since the Outlaws practice there regularly, they still claim a home-field advantage. Storm players and coaches aren't sure what to expect.
"I suppose it could be an advantage for them since they practice there all the time," said Storm quarterback Terrance Bryant. "I saw it on film and it doesn't look as bad as people have said. The field is still 50 yards."
Said defensive tackle Cory Johnsen: "I think it might play into our favor a little bit. It probably won't be the same hostile environment we're used to, with 5,000 screaming, Storm-hating fans being in there. But to be honest, it shouldn't matter. If you can't get self-motivated to play in a championship game and get a ring, you shouldn't be making the trip."
Storm coach Kurtiss Riggs pointed out that since his team has lost the last three times they visited the Outlaws' standard arena, moving under a different roof might be a good thing for his team. And playing in tight quarters is nothing new for the Storm, as the Arena in Sioux Falls has long been troublesome for teams because of its small end zones. Their game plan won't be affected, nor will their preparation.
"We're going there to win a championship," Bryant said, before adding: "If it was us, the league would make us play our games on the road. I guarantee you that."