I really like the World of Warcraft card game and I am very excited that the regionals are coming to Edmonton. Gamers Lair will be hosting regionals On March 24, 2007.
I can't wait. I am building decks for both the regional tourney and the lazy peon events.
Looking back at Week 1 I noticed a few things.
The new substitutions rules has made the game better. Teams can put in running packages and the ironmen have been made less important to teams. Being able to play both ways will still be an important part of the game but you won't see anymore games with back up quarterbacks playing defensive line.
The Dallas Desperados are THAT good. I thought Dallas would be a good team this year but after destroying the Dragons in week one they showed me and others that they will be the team to beat in 2007. I'll have to see if the Dragons are that bad. in a sport where a couple of defensive stops can win you the game they went most of the game without being able to score. I only saw parts of the game on TV but I don't remember the Dragons getting a first down.
The games I saw (on ABC on Sunday) and online with AFLNet were great. A lot of offense and energy. I am looking forward to seeing more games. Unfortunately I don't think many more games will be on TV locally so AFLNet will be my source for games for the next while.
My picks for this week (My record for the year is 7-2)
Las Vegas Gladiators (0-1) at Grand Rapids Rampage (1-0)
The Gladiators lost by 21 to the Wranglers last week and will lose by at least 15 the Rampage this week.
Columbus Destroyers (1-0) @ New Orleans VooDoo (0-1)
Many of the experts are picking New Orleans. I think that Matt Nagy will lead the Destroyers to a victory over the VooDoo.
Philadelphia Soul (0-0) at Nashville Kats (0-1)
With Philadelphia having a bye last week they have their first game in week two of the season. Just like the Destroyers last week the Soul will leave Nashville with a win - dropping the Kats to 0 and 2.
San Jose SaberCats (0-1) @ Chicago Rush (0-1)
Chicago is the defending champion but they were only 7 and 9 last season. Chicago struggled with Kansas City last week and will be hard pressed to defeat the SaberCats. Unfortunately Chicago will have to wait another week for their first win of the season as San Jose gets its first win of the year.
Kansas City Brigade (1-0) @ Coloroado Crush (0-1)
Kansas City looks to build on a victory over the defending champs while Colorado will try to overcome a 2 point loss to Grand Rapids. The experts at areanfootball.com all pick the Crush but I think Kansas can pull an upset and defeat the Crush.
Utah Blaze (1-0) @ Arizona Rattlers (0-1)
Utah barely defeated the Voo Doo last week and will be hard pressed to beat the Rattlers. Arizona was dominated in a high scoring game against Georgia in week one. Arizona will be able to upset the Blaze and will take the game leaving both teams with a 1-1 record.
Tampa Bay Storm (0-1) @ Dallas Desperados (1-0)
I thought that Dallas would win a close game last week against the Dragons. Dallas showed me how dominant they could be against a undermanned New York team. This week Dallas hosts Tampa and will win again. It looks like Dallas is the team to beat early in the season and the Storm will be looking to crack the Dallas defense that held New York off the scoreboard for more than 40 minutes last week.
Austin Wranglers (1-0) at Georgia Force (1-0)
Georgia managed to score 69 points last week. They will have a harder time scoring this week against the Wranglers but will still score enough to get a second straight win.
Los Angeles Avenges (1-0) at Orlando Predators (1-0)
The Predators had a solid game in Tampa Bay last week and Shane Stafford will give his new team a 2 and 0 start with a win over Los Angeles.
New York gets the bye this week, but judging from their performance last week they might still get a loss this weekend.
Another quick one - I'll put up a more in depth post Monday.
5 games Sunday
Dallas Desperadoes at New York Dragons. New York 69 Dallas 72
Chicago Rush at Kansas City Brigade. Chicago 66 Brigade 42
Grand Rapids Rampage at Colorado Crush. Grand Rapids 54 Colorado 49
Las Vegas Gladiators at Austin Wranglers. Gladiators 49 Austin 56
San Jose SaberCats at Los Angeles Avengers. San Jose 45 Los Angeles 59
This season I am 3-1
Real short post...
Georgia over Arizona 54 - 49
New Orleans loses to Utah 52 - 42
So far this year I am 2-0
The opening game of the season was a penalty filled affair. The teams combined for 12 penalties in the first half. Nashville dominated the play in the first half but went into halftime down 31-29. Columbus was able to have the halftime lead in large part due to their special team play. Kick returns by Damien Groce and Josh Bush allowed the the Destroyers to have 3 touchdown drives that covered less than 40 yards combined.
Late in the first half Columbus nearly had a huge defensive stop but Nashville managed to convert on a 4th and short and score a 57 yard field goal.
Columbus came out of the half and dominated the Kats. After the Kats scored before the halftime break, Columbus scored 16 straight points. A big defensive stop 9 minutes into the second half gave Columbus all the momentum. Columbus dominated the third quarter finishing the quarter up 44 to 29.
Nashville opened the forth quarter converting on a 4th and 10 to extend a drive and finishing the drive with Dan Alexanders 3rd rushing touchdown of the game. The Kats got right back into the game by getting a defensive stop when the Kats defense sacked Destroyer QB Matt Nagy on 3rd and 10 to force a field goal try of 62 or 63 yards. With the field goal attempt going into the stands Nashville started on the 20 yard line and score to pull within 2.
Nashville looked to go ahead with a successful onside kick but another penalty nullified the onside kick recovery and game the ball back to Columbus. Maty Nagy quickly found Damien Groce for Groce's third TD of the game.
Nashville scored a late touchdown to make it close but Columbus was able to hold on and start the season with a road victory.
Columbus next at New Orleans March 9, 2007 20:00 EST
Nashville next vs Philadelphia March 9, 2007 20:00 EST
Tonight Orlando and Tampa Bay play in Tampa. Orlando lost 69-54 to Chicago in last years Arena Bowl while the Storm missed the playoffs finishing with 7 wins and 9 loses. This is one of arena footballs most heated rivalries, which makes the move of QB Shane Stafford from the Storm to the Predators even more surprising. He will travel with the Predators and take on his former team.
Wayne Morris from ArenaFootball.com gives the edge to Orlando. I have to agree. Orlando 62 over Tampa 49.
My season record 1-0
Tonight the new AFL Season starts with the Columbus Destroyers visiting the Nashville Kats. You can expect the high scores and exciting play that is the hallmark of the Arena Football League. Both teams finished last year with 8 wins and 8 loses. Columbus missed the playoffs - but set a team record for wins in a season - while the Kats made the playoffs but lost in the wild card round to the Chicago Rush.
According to ArenaFootball.com the Kats have a 2 wins and no loses in match ups against the Destroyers. But the Destroyers enter the game with new QB Matt Nagy (acquired from the Georgia Force in the off season) ready to run the offense. Nagy will be facing a Nashville defence that has lead the league in sacks the past 2 seasons. For Nashville, QB Clint Stoerner will have to be sharp to keep his offense on the field against a talented Destroyer defensive unit lead by standout DB Jerald Brown.
Although the experts seem to be giving the edge to Nashville I think that the Destroyers with new QB Matt Nagy will pull off the upset - my prediction Columbus 42 over Nashville 35.
So I have found a new addiction to take up a ridiculous amount of my time.
The World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. I have spent too much time and way too much money on the game so far.
The game play is good, fast paced and with rules in place to limit the type of deck implosion that was common back when I played Magic the Gathering.
You play a hero and fight in battles against another hero. You can recruit allies to assist you and use your heroes abilities and equipment to defeat your foe. I have played quite often casually with friends and have entered a few tournaments.
One type of game that I have net seen in a trading card game before is the raid deck. You can buy a raid deck that represents a dragon and battle the dragon with a party of heroes.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.
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