Storm 2000 Game by Game Preview
(April 10, 2000)

Tampa Bay Storm fans have become accustomed to their team being one of the perennial powerhouses in Arena football. Now, after a scad of roster changes has lead to a pair of depressing preseason losses, there is some trepidation. As the Storm begins a tenth season in Tampa Bay, here is a look at the 2000 schedule.

The season opens against the New England Sea Wolves on Saturday, April 15 at the Ice Palace. The Storm is 3-0 against this franchise, including the time it spent in New York nicknamed the CityHawks. When the teams last met, the Storm won 54-20 in the 1999 regular season home finale.

The following Saturday night, the Storm's first road game is against division rival Florida in Sunrise. Tampa Bay has never lost to the Bobcats, or when they were known as the Miami Hooters, and is 14-0 all time. Florida visits the Ice Palace on Saturday June 3.

Last year, the Storm opened with a 49-42 home loss to eventual league champion Albany. This season, the Storm travel to the Empire State capitol to play the Firebirds on Saturday April 29.

The first encounter with the Carolina Cobras, an expansion team in the Storm's division, takes place in Tampa on Friday May 5. A return match in Raleigh, North Carolina closes out the regular season on Friday June 21.

Orlando hosts the first round in the "War on I-4" on Friday May 12 and the Storm and Predators meet in Tampa on Saturday July 1. The league's oldest rivalry, the Storm leads the series 12-11, has only heated up with the Predators knocking the Storm out of the playoffs the last two seasons.

The New Jersey Red Dogs come to Tampa for a Thursday night nationally televised game on May 18. The Storm is 3-1 against New Jersey and has won the last three meetings, including a 55-31 victory at the Ice Palace last year.

A second straight Thursday night nationally televised game takes place at Iowa on May 25. The Storm is 2-1 lifetime against the Barnstormers and won the last meeting 71-44 in Tampa back in 1998.

Division rival Nashville comes to town on Saturday, June 17. The Storm leads the series 4-2 and won both meetings with the Kats last season, after losing both meeting the previous year. A rematch takes place in Nashville on Friday July 14.

There is a visit to Grand Rapids on Saturday July 24. The series is tied at 1-1 with both previous meetings also in Michigan, including 46-44 Rampage victory last season.

Milwaukee wraps up the home slate on Saturday July 8. The Storm is 3-1 against the Mustangs, including a 49-42 victory in Wisconsin last year.

How will the 2000 Storm season play out? Will the team continue its winning legacy? Will this be an off year? What will be the effect of losing veteran players? How well will Thad Busby adapt to playing quarterback in the indoor game? Question, questions and more questions. Answers forthcoming.