The Colorado Ice Season Ends With a Loss In the First Round of the Playoffs

The Tri-Cities Fever have not been very nice to the Colorado Ice lately. That trend continued last night in Kennewick, Washington as the Fever bounced the Ice from the playoffs and ended their season for the second year in a row with a 52-42 win in the first round of the Indoor Football League (IFL) Playoffs.

It is nothing new for the Ice to lose to the Fever. They lost both meetings this regular season, and the Fever were also the team who ended their season last year.

Colorado (8-7) led the game early, taking a 31-26 lead into halftime, but the Fever (13-2) took control of the game in the second half, outscoring Colorado 26-11 in the final two quarters.

Much of Colorado’s offense stalled out in the second half, turning the ball over twice, once on an interception and another on a short-yardage situation, giving the Fever the extra boost they needed to pull away. Ice kicker Aric Goodman also missed a field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Despite the hard time the offense had in the second half, the team still had plenty of chances to keep the game close Friday as the defense picked off Lillard three times. Unfortunately, the Ice couldn’t find a way to capitalize on the opportunities.

Despite the loss, Colorado quarterback Jeremy Sanders still had a decent outing, completing 9-of-17 passes for 88 years and two touchdowns with one interception. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 51 yards.

Duane Brooks attempted six passes, completing only two of them, including one for a 13-yard touchdown to receiver Augustine Agyei in the fourth quarter.

Cordera Eason rushed for 39 yards and two touchdowns and Brooks had 24 yards rushing.

[Coloradoan]