Post by David on Oct 24, 2016 16:58:02 GMT -8
Spokane's 2017 Home Opponents (banner credit: SCtoC)
The 2017 Spokane Empire season schedule has been released.
The Empire will seek to defend their Intense Conference Championship and de-throne the Sioux Falls Storm as United Bowl Champions. They'll begin 2017 with an early bye week before kicking off the season at home against the Green Bay Blizzard. A former af2 opponent, Green Bay makes its first ever trip to Spokane as the two meet for the first time since 2009. Spokane was 2-0 all-time against Green Bay, including a 57-34 victory in the 2006 ArenaCup Championship.
Following the home opener, Spokane will kick off a 3 week road trip highlighted by an anticipated rematch with the Wichita Falls Nighthawks. Last season, the Empire squeaked out a thrilling 66-65 victory over the Nighthawks, who are likely seeking to avenge that loss. It will be their only meeting of the season.
The Empire will also pay a visit to Salt Lake City to take on the expansion Screaming Eagles. It'll mark the first time Spokane has played a team from Salt Lake City since the Utah Blaze in 2013, and the first time Spokane has played at the Maverik Center since 2010. The Empire and the Storm will play a total of 4 games this season (2 Home, 2 Away).
The Nebraska Danger will return to the Spokane Arena for the first time since losing in last season's 55-44 Intense Conference Championship. This will be the only meeting this season despite both playing in the Intense Conference.
Spokane will also take on the Colorado Crush a total of 4 times this season (2 Home, 2 Away). The Empire defeated the Crush in both their meetings last season, including a franchise record 97-72 victory at the Spokane Arena.
A highly anticipated match-up this season will be when Spokane renews acquaintances with the Arizona Rattlers, who join the IFL after 24 seasons in the AFL. Spokane and Arizona were fierce rivals in the AFL from 2010-2015 as well as Divisional opponents from 2010-2013. Arizona led the all-time regular season series 9-7, and a 2-1 record in the playoffs. This season, the Empire and Rattlers will face each other three times, two of which will be played at Spokane Arena.
The biggest game of 2017 will come in May when the Empire take on the 6-time defending champion Sioux Falls Storm. Spokane was 0-3 overall against the Storm last season, including a 55-34 loss in the United Bowl.
Spokane will close out the regular season with two games on the road, including a lone match-up with the Iowa Barnstormers. The Empire went 2-0 against the Barnstormers last season. They will not face the Cedar Rapids Titans this season.
The IFL's schedule provides that all 10 teams plays 16 games (8 home/8 away) over 18 weeks, with each team getting two bye weeks. The league's regular season will begin Thursday, February 16 and run through Saturday, June 17.
The following is Spokane's 2017 schedule (times are pacific; bold engine orange denotes home games). You can catch the action locally on ESPN 700 AM, 105.3 FM, or stream online at 700ESPN.com. All IFL games, including the playoffs and the United Bowl, are streamed on YouTube (YouTube.com/IndoorFootballLeague).
FEBRUARY
Week 1 -- BYE
Week 2 -- Thu., February 23 - Green Bay Blizzard at Spokane Empire (W 34-31)
MARCH
Week 3 -- Fri., March 3 - Spokane Empire at Wichita Falls Nighthawks (L 56-57) (2OT)
Week 4 -- Mon., March 13 - Spokane Empire at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (W 41-35)
Week 5 -- Fri., March 17 - Spokane Empire at Colorado Crush (W 70-37)
Week 6 -- Fri., March 24 - Salt Lake Screaming Eagles at Spokane Empire (W 53-36)
APRIL
Week 7 -- Sat., April 1 - Nebraska Danger at Spokane Empire (L 36-42)
Week 8 -- BYE
Week 9 -- Fri., April 14 - Colorado Crush at Spokane Empire (W 36-24)
Week 10 -- Sat., April 22 - Spokane Empire at Arizona Rattlers (W 60-51)
Week 11 -- Sun., April 30 - Salt Lake Screaming Eagles at Spokane Empire (W 31-29)
MAY
Week 12 -- Sat., May 6 - Spokane Empire at Sioux Falls Storm (L 32-62)
Week 13 -- Fri., May 12 - Arizona Rattlers at Spokane Empire (L 35-49)
Week 14 -- Thu., May 18 - Spokane Empire at Colorado Crush (L 36-45)
Week 15 -- Fri., May 26 - Colorado Crush at Spokane Empire (W 48-43)
JUNE
Week 16 -- Sat., June 3 - Arizona Rattlers at Spokane Empire (L 16-33)
Week 17 -- Fri., June 9 - Spokane Empire at Iowa Barnstormers (L 28-58)
Week 18 -- Fri., June 16 - Spokane Empire at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (L 42-45)
OPPONENTS' ARENAS
Arizona Rattlers - Talking Stick Resort Arena; Phoenix, Arizona
Colorado Crush - Budweiser Events Center; Loveland, Colorado
Iowa Barnstormers- Wells Fargo Arena; Des Moines, Iowa
Salt Lake Screaming Eagles - Maverik Center; West Valley City, Utah
Sioux Falls Storm - Denny Sanford Premier Center; Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Wichita Falls Nighthawks - Kay Yeager Coliseum; Wichita Falls, Texas
To comment on this and other topics on this forum, please login or register.
