Storm on the Road to Playoffs?
(July 10, 2000)

The Storm had won four straight, and five in a row at home, before Saturday night's disappointing loss to Milwaukee. It was the last game on the 2000 home schedule and the loss dropped the Storm to 6-6 and hurt the chances to hosting a playoff game in three weeks. Before we discuss the rest of the season, and the playoffs and, let's look at Saturday's game at the Ice Palace.

With a game against Milwaukee nestled between Orlando and Nashville, you wonder if the Storm was not up for the game. Or, was it an injury to James Bowden and the fact John Kaleo was feeling under the weather that lead to a loss. Whatever the reasons, there were numerous breakdowns in all phases of the game. Ominously, Milwaukee returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and lead 14-0 before many fans had taken their seats. The Storm knotted it at 14, before Milwaukee took a 21-14 lead after the first quarter. As the second quarter began, John Kaleo left the game and Thad Busby came in at quarterback. A Matt Huerkamp field goal made it 21-17, but Busby could not move the team and the Storm trailed 38-17 by halftime. By the time the second half began, a few fans had already departed. Kaleo came back, and the Storm tried to, but the teams kept trading TDs into the final quarter. An early fourth quarter touchdown gave Milwaukee a 52-31 lead and drove many fans to the exits. Those who stayed saw the Storm come within 52-45 with plenty of time, 8:40, left in the game. Unfortunately, that was as close it got and the Storm fell 62-52.

So, were does this leave the Storm's playoff hopes? The Storm plays on the road the next two Friday nights and are 1-4 away from home this season. This week at Nashville will be tough, but the Storm will be favored in the season finale at Carolina. If the Storm win both they would finish 8-6, which would equal the team's worst record, but they would no doubt host a home playoff game. Spilt the games, and posting the Storm's first non-winning season, and there is still a possibility of opening the playoffs at home. They could still make the playoffs by doing the unthinkable, losing both, that would end all chances of playing a home postseason game. There are plenty of teams battling for position and numerous scenarios that will play out over the next two weeks. To state the obvious, the best thing to do is win.

Now that the home regular season slate is complete, we can take a look at how the Storm drew this year. Remember, the talk at the end of last season about the possible relocation of the team? Now it is expected that the Storm will stay in Tampa Bay for a long time, however, poor attendance was one of the reasons a team move was considered. The Storm drew an average crowd of 11,912 this year, which is up from last year's 10,695 and 1998's 11,431. The first year the Storm played at the Ice Palace they averaged 13,723, so this year's figure is pretty close to the four year average in Tampa. Without two Thursday night games, the average attendance for the 2000 season would have been significantly higher.

With five wins and two defeats, there were some hot times at the Ice Palace this season. The exciting win over rival Orlando would have to be the highlight. Lets hope we get one more trip to Tampa and a victory in the first round of the playoff will cap off the year.