Rush Kick-off 2007 Playoff Run

By Todd McClamroch in News on Jul 9, 2007 3:15PM

The Chicago Rush will work on their goal of repeating as ArenaBowl Champions when they kick-off their 2007 playoff run tonight against the Los Angeles Avengers at Allstate Arena. The winner of tonight's game will travel to San Jose for the semi-finals next weekend. So one way or another this is the last chance for fans in Chicago to see the Rush play at home this season.

The Rush finished the regular season with a 12-4 record (7-1 at home), earning a first round bye in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Avengers went 9-7 during the regular season and made it through the first round by beating the Utah Blaze, giving the Avengers their first playoff win. The Rush and Avengers split their two game series this year with the home team earning each victory. The Rush lost to the Avengers in Los Angeles on June 2nd on a last second field goal. It was a game in which leading receiver Bobby Sippio was out due to injury. Since that game the Rush have gone 3-0 leading up to the playoffs.

Avengers Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss knows that the Rush defense led the league with 44 takeaways during the regular season and therefore the Avengers will likely have to pick-off Rush quarterback Matt D'Orazio a few times tonight to have a shot at winning. Ed Hodgkiss said “We know we are going to have to force D’Orazio to make some mistakes if we want to win ... with the type of defense they have, you have to win the turnover battle.”

Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster for tonight's playoff game.