June 6, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. - The Colorado Ice professional indoor football team (5-8) made history Saturday night when they defeated the three-time defending United Bowl Champions and league best Sioux Falls Storm (10-3) for the first time by a final 29-24 decision at the Budweiser Events Center. With the win, the Ice evened the series among the teams this season, but lost all three regular season games plus the first round playoff last season.

Colorado struggled in the first quarter, not able to generate a score, but the defense held the Storm to just one touchdown when QB Terrance Bryant connected with WR Bryan Alberty on a 12-yard pass.  Colorado answered and came out strong in the second quarter to take the lead after QB Garrett Mehl ran it in from ten yards out followed by a 27-yard field goal from K John Sullivan to put the Ice up 10-7.  K Adam Hicks split the uprights from 37 yards away before WR Brian Sump pulled in a team-long 41-yard pass from Mehl.  With the Ice leading 17-10 with 4:59 left in the half, Bryant connected with WR James Terry for an eight yard touchdown pass to even the score going into halftime.

Each team added another touchdown in the third quarter, but Colorado's two-point conversion attempt failed when Mehl's pass was intercepted by DB Shannon Poppinga.  The Ice were down 24-23 going into the fourth, but the defense was able to hold Sioux Falls scoreless while Mehl hit Sump for the second time from seven yards out, but missed the two-point conversion to make the score 29-24.  Sioux Falls put together two more drives to end the game, but were unable to get past the Ice defense, who took over on downs with :34 left.

In light of the recent storms, the Ice organization offered all Windsor
residents free admission to the game and were honored to have Windsor Mayor John Vazquez at the game.  Donations were collected throughout the game and will go to the Windsor relief efforts.

The Ice will close the season with a regular season game at home; June 13 at 7:30 p.m. against the Wichita Wild for Fan Appreciation Night. Big Country 97.9 will have a live remote at the tailgate party starting at 5:30 p.m. and will have several giveaways for fans before the game.