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Millionaires Remain Unbeaten in 36-6 Romp Over Tri-City Piranhas by Doug Miles (Largo, FL) A bye week may have caused some rust, but that rust quickly wore off as the Sarasota Millionaires came from behind to defeat the Tri-City (Tampa) Piranhas 36-6 on the road Saturday night and remain undefeated this season. The Millionaires won their ninth consecutive game on the strength of a powerful running game, quick passing attack and a stifling defense which once again shut down the opposition. The Piranhas opened the scoring after Sarasota went four and out to start the game on offense giving Tri-City the ball at the Millionaire’s 40 yard line. Quarterback Mike Helm lead his team down the field and connected with Charles Cooper on a slant pattern for a 19 yard touchdown pass for the Piranhas only score of the game. “We seemed to make a few mistakes that slowed us down, but then we got our act together”, Offensive Coordinator John Mackler said. That act consisted of five unanswered touchdowns beginning with Quarterback Mike Petersen hitting Gus Blanc on a 9 yard quick hitter over the middle to give the Millionaires the only touchdown they would need to win the game. Izzy Laguerre put Sarasota up 13-6 on a 2 yard plunge into the end zone after the Millionaires recovered a fumble on a bad snap to punter Michael Williams on the Piranhas 4 yard line. Mike Petersen scored on a dazzling 5 yard touchdown run, where he actually scrambled more than 20 yards eluding several Piranhas putting the Millionaires up 20-6 midway through the third quarter. Sarasota scored two more times as Petersen connected with Gus Blanc for his second TD of the game from 5 yards out less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. Less than four minutes later, Petersen powered it in from the four yard line. A late safety wrapped up the scoring as the Millionaires swept the season series with the Piranhas. “We just let Mike go on the passing because he could hit all the receivers very easily”, Mackler said. “They were giving us the middle and we took advantage of it.” In one of the most anticipated games of the season, the number one ranked Millionaires travel to Orlando to face the Rage in a battle of undefeated teams on Saturday April 4th at 7:05PM. These two teams, who met in last year’s Rice Bowl Championship game will play twice in the next three weeks. Sarasota Millionaires Top Nation in Minor League Football by Doug Miles Midway through their third season, the Sarasota Millionaires have risen to the top of the national rankings in minor league football. Undefeated after eight games, the Millionaires are rated #1 in the Minor League Football News and National Football Events Inc. Polls and have set their sites on a second consecutive trip to the Rice Bowl in May to play for the Southern States Football League (SSFL) Championship. For those of you new to this site, some background on what I’ll be covering here on Examiner for the next couple of months: The Sarasota Millionaires came into existence in 2007 as an expansion team in the SSFL. It is Professional Minor League Football Team which offers players an opportunity to play in a competitive and high quality league while providing an opportunity to showcase their skills and move on to the Arena I, II leagues, the CFL and possibly the NFL. In it’s brief time in the league, the Millionaires have tasted success by winning their division and advancing to the playoffs in its inaugural year. Last season, the team was runner-up in the “Rice Bowl” and was awarded the Commissioner’s Cup for administrative excellence in just their second year in the SSFL. The Sarasota Millionaires are a non-profit organization (as are all the teams in the SSFL) owned by former standout running back Calvin Williams and his wife Bethsaida, both of whom work tirelessly to promote a positive football experience for players and fans in Sarasota, FL. Their motto is “We will expect nothing less then hard work, respect, and discipline as it will help all that are involved achieve a higher standard in life.” The Sarasota Millionaires are committed to providing success to its players both on and off the field. The team participates in charity activities in the community such as "Family & Friends Day" at various church's, The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March, reading to elementary students at Emma E. Booker, Little Sproutz Pre-School, Helen Payne Day Nursery and Children First and helping those less fortunate at Thanksgiving with food basket give-a-ways. The Millionaires play their home games at Booker High School’s “Tornado Alley” in Sarasota, FL. Their next game is Saturday March 28th against the Tri-City Piranhas in Largo, FL. Kickoff is 7PM. Games are podcast online at http://blog.milestonebroadcasting.com. (Published on Examiner.com) Millionaires Offense Explodes with 53-7 Win over Tampa Bay Comets by Doug Miles (Sarasota, FL) Combining a tenacious defense and explosive offense, the Sarasota Millionaires easily defeated the Tampa Bay Comets 53-7 Saturday night at Tornado Alley to remain an undefeated 5-0 in SSFL play and 8-0 overall this season. The Millionaires defense intercepted four passes in the game, returning two of them for touchdowns while quarterback Mike Petersen completed 8 of 16 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns as Sarasota beat the Comets for the second time this season. Petersen scrambled to the near sideline and fired a 43 yard touchdown strike to George “GA” Gipson less than three minutes into the game to open the scoring for the Millionaires. Two and half minutes later, JD Hunter rumbled into the end zone off the left side from 31 yards out to put the Millionaires up 14-0. Mo Harris then intercepted Comet QB David Nogueras and ran it back 55 yards for the touchdown just 35 seconds later. The Comets only score came 8 minutes into the second quarter when John Harr stripped the ball from a scrambling Mike Petersen and carried it 65 yards for the score. The Millionaires answered back 4 minutes 40 seconds later as Patrick “Choo Choo” Brown plunged into the end zone from 3 yards out to make it 27-7. Other Millionaire touchdowns were scored by Fredo Hudson, Gus Blanc, Brandon Johnson and Andrew “Da Bus” Jackson. “We finally got the running game where we wanted it”, said Offensive Coordinator John Mackler. “We decided to shift back into our running formation where we can really run the ball. Both running backs got a touchdown tonight. You can’t ask for anything more.” Head Coach Gerald Benton, who got the customary Gatorade Bucket splash after the game, was pleased with his team’s efforts. “It was a great, great football game. I’m proud of the offense. That’s one more step”, the coach said as the Millionaires look to continue their unbeaten streak on March 28th vs. the Tampa Piranhas in Largo. Millionaires Defeat Seminoles 26-7 By Doug Miles (Venice, FL) In a game filled with emotion both on and off the field, the Sarasota Millionaires defeated their new cross-county rival Sarasota County Seminoles 26-7 Saturday night in Venice to remain undefeated in SSFL play and gain a national ranking in Minor League Football. Facing their former defensive coordinator Harry Reif, and several former teammates, the Millionaires came from behind once again to put together a strong second half and find a way to win. Both defenses played stingy with the other’s offense. The Millionaires shut down their opponents running attack while the ‘Noles kept the pressure on quarterback Mike Petersen, sacking him three times in the first half. Scoreless at halftime, the Seminoles took a 7-0 lead when Thomas Guyton blocked an Ian Kitchell punt and ran it 45 yards into the end zone with 5:55 left in the third quarter. The Millionaires offense, dormant in the first half, began to generate yardage and move the ball. Mike Petersen connected with Josh Kilduff for a 40 yard pickup down to the ‘Nole 15 yard line and then found Gus Blanc for a 14 yard strike taking it to the 1 as time expired in the third quarter. Mike Petersen punched it in :35 seconds into the fourth quarter to tie the game at 7. “I don’t know if my heart can take anymore of this no scoring in the first half”, said Offensive Coordinator John Mackler, “The guys put it together in the second half like they did last time and we started scoring. If we can get it going in the first half, then we’ll have a complete game.” Less than three minutes later, Rossan Allen picked off quarterback Aaron Tate’s pass at the ‘Noles 25 yard line setting up the Millionaires go ahead touchdown when JD Hunter plunged it in from the 1 yard line with 8:45 left in the game. Dexter Watson sealed the win by intercepting Tate again at the Millionaire’s 39 yard line with 2:46 remaining. One play later, JD Hunter broke a 53 yard run straight up the middle down to the ‘Noles 8 yard line. Petersen hit Bruce Singleton cutting over the middle with an 8 yard touchdown pass to put the Millionaires up 20-7. Hootie Ford capped off the scoring when he picked up an Aaron Tate fumble and scampered 35 yards into the end zone making it 26-7. Before the game the Millionaires found out they were ranked #3 in the nation in Minor League football having earned that distinction with their 4-0 record in SSFL play and 7-0 overall this season. The Millionaires have a bye week next Saturday and will next face the Tampa Bay Comets at Tornado Alley on March 14th, kickoff at 7:05PM. Millionaires Extinguish Comets 28-3 By Doug Miles (Land O’Lakes, FL) The Sarasota Millionaires overcame five turnovers in the first half to beat the Tampa Bay Comets 28-3 Saturday night in Land O’Lakes and remain an undefeated 3-0 in SSFL play. The Millionaires offense sputtered and stalled in the first 24 minutes of the game as the Comets defense picked off two Mike Petersen passes and recovered three fumbles. Sarasota’s “Black Out” defense was able to hold Tampa Bay to just 3 points on all those turnovers allowing only a 40 yard field goal by Chris Ferguson at 13:33 of the second quarter. Dominick Grable gave a much needed spark to the Millionaires offense by returning a punt 69 yards for the team’s first touchdown of the game with 4:23 left in the second quarter Sarasota a 6-3 lead at halftime. The Millionaires made some offensive adjustments at the break and began to move the ball more effectively in the third quarter using the I formation and running game. “We went back to fundamental football running out of the I”, offensive coordinator John Mackler said. “We settled down and played better football out of the I formation.” Mike Petersen hit Bruce Singleton for a 40 yard pass play down to the Comets six yard line as time ran out in the third quarter setting up Sarasota’s second touchdown when Petersen ran it into the end zone from 3 yards out. Petersen then hit Kelly Minor for the 2 point conversion putting Sarasota up 14-3. Bruce Singleton made another one of his acrobatic catches while double covered on a 44 yard touchdown hookup from Petersen with 8:00 left in the game increasing the Millionaires lead to 21-3. “Singleton has been a great find for us”, said Mackler. Brandon Johnson’s interception of Comets quarterback Kevin Ashcraft with 3:46 remaining sealed the win for Sarasota. Mike Petersen capped off the scoring with a 10 yard touchdown run with 2:12 left on the clock. The Millionaires defense totally shut down the Comets running game and kept all three Comets quarterbacks who shuttled in and out of the game off balance. “They knew early on they couldn’t run on us”, Mackler remarked. “They had to use different combinations to try and get something going on offense.” The Millionaires are on the road next Saturday in Venice to face the expansion Sarasota Seminoles coached by the team’s former defensive coordinator Harry Reif. Millionaires Take A Bite Out of Sharks 14-8 by Doug Miles (Sarasota, FL) Four interceptions, a controlled ground game and a fourth quarter no-huddle offense gave the Sarasota Millionaires an impressive 14-8 come from behind win over the four time SSFL Champion St. Petersburg Sharks Saturday night at Tornado Alley. Dexter Morrison snagged three interceptions of his own while quarterback Mike Petersen scored both Millionaire touchdowns on runs of 1 yard and 6 yards as Sarasota won their fifth straight game (3-0 pre-season) and now 2-0 in SSFL play. After a scoreless first quarter, Petersen engineered a quick four play, 55 yard drive set up by Morrison’s second interception of Sharks QB Nick Kerby. Petersen connected with Bruce Singleton for a 53 yard pass play down to the 2 yard line. The agile QB snuck it into the end zone two plays later to put Sarasota up 6-0 going into halftime. St. Petersburg got on the scoreboard with a safety after a high snap sailed over punter Ian Kitchell’s head who deftly kicked it out of the end zone preventing a possible defensive touchdown for the Sharks. Less than two minutes later, Nick Kerby hooked up with receiver DeAngelo Woodie for a 20 yard touchdown pass giving the Sharks an 8-6 lead early in the third quarter. The Millionaires went into their no huddle offense and moved the ball down the field scoring the go ahead touchdown on a methodical short passing attack and effective running of the ball by leading rusher Patrick Brown. Petersen used his corps of receivers, Gus Blanc, Marquis Williams, Bruce Singleton and Ben Seymour with short, crisp passes while Brown found the holes and picked up chunks of yardage. The offensive line gave Petersen tremendous protection all game long, and the quarterback rewarded the team with the game winning touchdown run of 6 yards with 3:01 remaining in the game. The drive was capped off by a 2 point conversion pass play to Bruce Singleton. “We wanted to get the running game going early”, Offensive Coordinator John Mackler said. “After that we knew the no-huddle offense would keep the Sharks defense off balance.” Petersen went 12-20 for 211 yards and 2 touchdown runs. Patrick Brown rushed for 65 yards on 13 carries. Calling this game “a great test”, Head Coach Gerald Benton said the team “needs to remain healthy as it is a long season ahead.” Wendell Rainey who has been the team’s leading kick and punt returner, broke his ankle early in the first quarter and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The Millionaires go on the road next Saturday night against the Tampa Comets. That game will be pod cast and available on the Sarasota Millionaire’s website as will all the team’s road games. Millionaires Devour Piranhas 33-16 in Season Opener by Doug Miles (Sarasota, FL) The Sarasota Millionaires opened the SSFL regular season with a convincing 33-16 win over the Tri-City (Tampa) Piranhas Saturday night in Tornado Alley at Booker High School. After a slow start and falling behind 12-0 to the Piranhas on a pair of one yard touchdown runs by Tri-City quarterback Mike Helms, Sarasota’s offense kicked into gear. Millionaires QB Mike Petersen engineered a quick 4 play 48 yard scoring drive capped off by one of his patented elusive runs into the end zone from 18 yards out to put Sarasota on the scoreboard at 9:22 of the second quarter. The Millionaires tied the game just 2 minutes later when Donte Brown intercepted a Mike Helm pass and returned it to the Piranha 1 yard line where Andre Jackson punched it in on the next play. Sarasota never looked back as the famous “black out” defense took charge and disrupted the Piranhas offense the rest of the game. “We started out slow, but I’m so proud of the way we finished”, Coach Gerald Benton said after the game. “After being 12 down, we got on track. The offense got on track, the defense got on track. We handled ourselves well.” Sarasota took the lead for good when Mike Petersen hit Ben Seymour for a 30 yard touchdown pass six minutes into the third quarter. The Millionaires capitalized on a Mike Helm fumble a minute later as Petersen aired a 31 yard touchdown strike to Gus Blanc putting Sarasota up 25-12. In all, the Millionaires turned three of the five Piranha turnovers into touchdowns. Rosson Allen’s 65 yard interception return for a touchdown capped off the Millionaire scoring late in the 4th quarter increasing the margin of victory to 33-16. Mike Petersen completed 4 passes for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran 10 times for 95 yards. Wendell Rainey continued his stellar play as kickoff and punt returner giving the Millionaires great field position each time he returned a kick. After an undefeated pre-season (3-0), the Millionaires (1-0) look ahead to next Saturday night’s game at Tornado Alley against the St. Petersburg Sharks. Millionaires Shutout NW Giants in Orange Blossom Bowl By Doug Miles (Deland, FL) In a game marred by numerous unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and chippy play, the Sarasota Millionaires overcame a slow start to defeat the NW Giants 20-0 in the Orange Blossom Bowl in Deland, Florida Sunday afternoon. The game was called with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when a scuffle broke out on the Giants sideline and soon escalated into a heated pushing and shoving match at midfield. “It was a regular sideline play”, Offensive Coordinator John Mackler said. “If is wasn’t that play, it would’ve been something else that started it.” After a sluggish opening series, the Millionaires offense began to move the ball effectively through the air. Mike Petersen hit Ben Seymour for a 40 yard touchdown pass at 6:27 of the first quarter to give the Millionaires the only score they would need to win. Wendell Rainey, playing his first game in more than a year, returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown with 7:45 left in the second quarter and Mike Petersen ran it in for the 2 point conversion to give the Millionaires a 14-0 lead. Ian Kitchell added the first of two 39 yard field goals before the half to put Sarasota up 17-0 at halftime. “Any time Seymour and Rainey touch the ball, they’ve got a chance to break a big one for us,” remarked Coach Mackler. The Millionaire defense played their best game of the pre-season forcing 6 turnovers, 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions. Brandon Johnson picked off 2 PJ McRay passes and Dexter Watson snared one as the Millionaires handed the previously undefeated NW Giants their first loss in 3 years. “It was the best all around game we’ve played so far both offensively and defensively”, Head Coach Gerald Benton said. “We’ve had 13 interceptions in the pre-season. I feel we’re ready for the regular season.” QB Mike Petersen kept the Giants defense grabbing for air as he eluded tacklers in the backfield all game completing 7 of 12 passes for 102 yards and 1 touchdown. The Millionaires complete the 3 game pre-season campaign at 3-0 before beginning the regular season on February 7th against the Tampa Piranhas at Tornado Alley at Booker High School. CAROLINA HURRICANES 4 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 3 (OT) BY DOUG MILES (TAMPA) SCORING 4 UNANSWERED GOALS IN THE LAST 21 MINUTES OF PLAY, THE CAROLINA HURRICANES SPOILED THE LIGHTNING’S HOME OPENER WITH A 4-3 WIN IN OVERTIME TONIGHT AT THE ST. PETE TIME’S FORUM DROPPING THE BOLTS TO THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS TO START THE SEASON. ERIC STAAL SCORED ON A 2 ON 1 BREAK AWAY WITH LESS THAN 30 SECONDS LEFT IN OVERTIME LIFTING THE PUCK OVER A SPRAWLED MIKE SMITH IN GOAL. SMITH WAS CALLED ON TO MAKE ACROBATIC SAVES ALL NIGHT AS THE CANES OUTSHOT THE BOLTS 47-29. THE LIGHTNING OPENED THE SCORING AT 8:20 OF THE FIRST PERIOD WHEN OFF SEASON FREE AGENT ACQUISITION MARK RECCHI BLASTED A SLAPSHOT PAST HURRICANE GOALIE MICHAEL LEIGHTON FROM THE RIGHT POINT . THE GOAL WAS RECCHI’S 523RD OF HIS CAREER. “IT’S A LEARNING PROCESS FOR US. WITH A 3 GOAL LEAD YOU HAVE TO KEEP SKATING. WE’RE GOING THROUGH GROWING PAINS. WE’LL LEARN FROM THIS.” JANNE NISKALA SCORED HIS FIRST CAREER NHL GOAL IN THE FIRST PERIOD AND CAPTAIN VINNIE LECAVALIER GOT HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON PUTTING THE LIGHTNING UP 3-0 ON A SLAPSHOT FROM THE RIGHT POINT ON A 5 ON 3 POWER PLAY AT 9:01 OF THE SECOND PERIOD. BUT THAT WOULD BE ALL THE SCORING FOR THE BOLTS “IT’S VERY DISAPPOINTING. WE JUST COULDN’T GET IT GOING TONIGHT”, LECAVALIER SAID. THE LIGHTNING PLAYED THEIR BEST TWO PERIODS OF THE SEASON BY STAYING ON THE ATTACK AND GETTING THE PUCK OUT OF THEIR ENDZONE, SOMETHING BARRY MELROSE SAID THEY NEEDED TO WORK ON THIS WEEK IN PRACTICE AFTER DROPPING 2 GAMES TO THE NY RANGERS IN PRAGUE LAST WEEKEND. “A TWO GOAL LEAD GOING INTO THE 3RD PERIOD, THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH”, BARRY MELROSE SAID AFTER HIS FIRST HOME OPENER AS COACH OF THE LIGHTNING. “FOR 2 PERIODS WE PLAYED PRETTY GOOD BUT WE QUIT DOING THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT. YOU GOTTA WANT TO BE ON THE ICE WHEN THE GAME IS ON THE LINE AND MAKE PLAYS. WE JUST DIDN’T DO THAT TONIGHT.” THE CANES FOUND THEIR SECOND WIND AFTER A SLUGGISH START WHEN ROD BRINDAMOUR DEFLECTED THE PUCK BEHIND MIKE SMITH WITH JUST 8.7 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 2ND PERIOD CUTTING THE LIGHTNING LEAD TO 3-1. MATT CULLEN LIFTED A WRIST SHOT FROM THE RIGHT CIRCLE THE OVER THE SHOULDER OF MIKE SMITH ON THE POWER PLAY AT 1:56 OF THE THIRD PERIOD TO PULL THE CANES TO WITHIN 3-2. CAROLINA CAPITALIZED ON THE LIGHTNING’S INABILITY TO CLEAR THEIR OWN ZONE IN THE THIRD PERIOD AND TIED UP THE GAME AT 9:56 WHEN ERIC STAAL WRISTED THE PUCK OVER THE GLOVE OF MIKE SMITH. “WE OBVIOUSLY GOT LIFE FROM ROD’S GOAL AT THE END OF THE 2ND PERIOD AND WE DID A GOOD JOB OF ATTACKING THEM AND REALLY PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON THEM,” STAAL SAID, “IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE KEPT SCORING. WE’LL TAKE THE WIN.” THE LIGHTNING DON’T PLAY AGAIN UNTIL THURSDAY NIGHT IN TAMPA VS THE NY ISLANDERS. PUCK DROPPINGS- THE LIGHTNING ADDED A LIVE BAND TO THE FAN EXPERIENCE. “FROZEN FUNK” PLAYED SOME FUNKY COLLEGE STYLE PEP MUSIC BETWEEN THE ACTION FROM THE STANDS. THE LIGHTNING GIRLS DANCE TEAM USUALLY RELEGATED TO DOING THEIR ROUTINES IN THE STANDS, MADE THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE EVER ON THE ICE. RAYS MANAGER JOE MADDON WISHED THE BOLTS WELL IN A RECORDED MESSAGE BEFORE THE GAME SHOWN ON LIGHTNING VISION SAYING “HE WISHED HE COULD BE AT THE FORUM, BUT HE HAD A GAME TO PLAY.” CANES OUTSHOT THE LIGHTNING 46-29 ATTENDANCE FOR THE LIGHTING HOME OPENER WAS 18,552. MANY FANS STUCK AROUND AFTER THE GAME TO WATCH THE REMAINDER OF THE RAYS/REDSOX ALCS GAME ON LIGHTNING VISION. Bolts oust Senators 3-2 in Shootout By Doug Miles (Tampa, FL) Evgeny Arthyukhin scored in the 8th round of the shootout to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators tonight before 16,104 fans at the Forum. The victory is the third straight and only the second one at home this season. Goaltender Mike Smith was again called on to make some spectacular saves in regulation and in the shootout. “There’s no one better than him in the NHL right now,” said Coach Barry Melrose. “This was a gut check game. Nothing came easy tonight. The guys kept battling and battling and got rewarded.” The Lightning reverted to their early season difficulties in getting the puck out of their own zone in the first period. The Senators held the Bolts without a shot on goal until the eleven minute mark. “We’ve got to get a road mentality at home,” Melrose said. The Lightning played their best two games on the road this week beating Toronto and Buffalo after a dismal five game home stand which saw only one win for Tampa Bay. Antoine Vermette rapped the puck past Mike Smith from the slot on the power play to give the Sens a 1-0 lead at 8:06 of the second period. Vinnie Lecavalier tied it with his sixth goal of the season blasting a slapshot from outside the right circle past Senators goalie Alex Auld at 14:09. Danny Heatley answered back thirty-nine seconds later putting Ottawa up 2-1. Unable to capitalize on a two-man advantage early in the third period, Matthew Carle was able to tie the game firing a wrister past Auld with 6:12 remaining in regulation. The shootout went to extra rounds before Evgeny Artyukhin scored the game winner in the 8th round. “I tried to score the whole game today because it is my brother’s birthday,” Arty said. “That gave him a good present.” The Lightning hit the road for five straight games before returning to the Forum to play Detroit on November 13th. Puck Droppings The Bolts go green. Waste Services of Florida and Heineken teamed up to encourage recycling. Fans who brought a used phone book to recycle received a substantial discount on a ticket to tonight’s game. Even better, all fans who rode a bike to the Forum got in free. In honor of the Tampa Bay Rays successful run to the World Series, all Lightning fans who wore Rays garb to tonight’s game got in for half price. Former Lightning GM Jay Feaster was in the press box for tonight’s game. Feaster writes a blog for the Hockey News. Sharks Devour Bolts 3-0 By Doug Miles (Tampa) The Lightning continued their anemic offensive display as they were shutout by the San Jose Sharks 3-0 before 16,831 win starved fans tonight at the Forum in Tampa. The Bolts were outshot 45-22 as the Sharks kept the pressure in the Tampa Bay end of the ice for the majority of the game. “We were outworked by San Jose tonight”, a weary coach Barry Melrose said after the game. “We’re not getting the puck to the net and don’t have enough speed. We’ve scored 11 goals in 7 games and that’s not enough.” Marcel Goc tallied the Sharks first goal on a slapshot from the left point just inside the blue line that beat Mike Smith at 7:57 of the second period on assist from former Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle in his first game back in Tampa. “Obviously that meant a lot to me and Luke” (Brad Lukowich also making his return to the Forum), Boyle said. “That was a great team effort. Our goaltending played well and defensively we were much better because we’ve been struggling there the last few games.“ Ryan Malone was the lone standout for Tampa Bay in addition to Smith by throwing his body around. “Malone was the one guy who played with passion,” Melrose remarked. “That’s not enough.” San Jose scored their second goal on a power play when Ryane Clowe deflected Christian Ehrhoff’s slapshot from the slot past Mike Smith at 18:00. Devin Setoguchi rounded out the scoring for the Sharks when he skated around the Tampa Bay goal and wristed the puck over Smith’s shoulder at 16:28 of the third period. “They definitely outworked us and outplayed us,” Steve Stamkos said. “Smitty played good, but we gotta change something up. It’s a little frustrating for everyone here.” Chris Gratton echoed that sentiment. “When your goalies are playing that well and the offense is not going well, it is frustrating. We just have to climb back in. There’s still a long way to go, but we’ve got to find some offense.” Sharks goalie Brian Boucher earned his second shutout of the season stopping the Lightning’s 22 shots. “This is our third game in four nights,” Boucher said. “We weren’t happy with our effort last night in Florida (Miami) or our last couple of efforts. The guys played hard tonight and we took it to them. We didn’t give them a chance to get going.” The Lightning finish the homestand with just one win in five games. Seven of the next eight games will be on the road starting in Toronto on Tuesday night. Puck Droppings Brian Lawton was promoted to the position of executive vice-president and general manager of the Lightning today. Lawton was originally hired as the team’s vice-president of hockey operations on June 25th of this year. Lawton is a former player agent who negotiated more than $300 million in player contracts. The Lightning added some much needed help on the backline signing defenseman Marek Malik to a one-year contract today. Malik played in 42 games with the N.Y. Rangers last season scoring 2 goals and 8 assists. The 33 year old has played in 649 career NHL games with Hartford/Carolina, Vancouver and the Rangers. Tonight was the 4th annual “Pink Out Night” in honor of breast cancer survivors, caregivers and friends and family of those who have battled the disease. The Lightning Foundations Pink Hat Project which kicked off on February 28th, 2005 has sold more than 15,000 pink hats with all proceeds going to the Don and Erica Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute here in Tampa. Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich returned to face their former Lightning teammates for the first time tonight. Minnesota Wild 1 Tampa Bay Lightning 0 By Doug Miles (Tampa, FL) The Tampa Bay Lightning played nearly a perfect game and it still was not enough as the Minnesota Wild took a 1-0 shootout win tonight in Tampa. Antti Miettinen scored the lone goal of the night backhanding the puck high into the net for the Wild’s fourth straight win against no losses to start the season. “We showed a commitment to character, poise and an energy on the bench tonight,” Coach Barry Melrose said. “We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing and believe we’re going to be rewarded for our effort. We’re being tested right now. It’s tough to get a shutout and not win.” The Wild had the better scoring chances in the first half the of the opening period keeping the pressure in the Lightning zone. The Bolts spent much of that time killing off penalties. The Lightning offense got going in the second half of the period as they were on the power play for more than six minutes. Mike Smith and Niklas Backstrom turned back every shot they faced through 65 minutes of play. “Every loss is tough”, said Lightning goalie Mike Smith. “This was the best game we played this season. We did the things we needed to do to win. It’s tough to take, but we see an upside.” The Bolts are still looking for their first win of the season after dropping overtime decisions in their last two games and losing for the first time this year in the shootout. The Wild remain undefeated at 4-0 under defensive minded coach Jacques Lemaire including three road wins, who credited the Lightning for an outstanding game. “They played really well. They were good in our end and prevented scoring chances. They just don’t give up a lot.” The Bolts will try for their first win Tuesday night vs. divisional rival Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth game of this five game home stand. Puck Droppings The last time the Lightning played in a scoreless tie was November 23rd, 2003 vs. the Carolina Hurricanes when Nikolai Khabibulin was in goal for Tampa Bay. For the second Saturday in a row, the Lightning and Rays played simultaneously. After the game, the remainder of the ALCS was shown on Lightning vision in the arena. Announced attendance on a night when the Rays/Red Sox played game 6 of the ALCS across the bridge was a generous 15,191. The building appeared to be only slightly more than half full. Devils “Treat” Themselves to 2-1 Shootout Win over Lightning (Tampa, FL) Antero Niittymaki stopped 37 Devil shots on this Halloween, but it wasn’t enough to treat the fans to a win as New Jersey beats the Lightning 2-1 in a shootout win this afternoon before 12,154 fans at the Forum. Outshooting the Lightning 38-15, the Lightning goaltender, Antero Niittymaki played his best game of the season turning back all but one shot in keeping Tampa Bay in a game which New Jersey controlled from the beginning. Niitty made a spectacular glove save on Cory Murphy in the first period when the Devils were on the power play. The rookie net minder also stopped a 2 on 1 break with a sliding save on Ilkka Pikkarainen and stoned Jamie Langenbruner a short-handed breakaway and his subsequent penalty shot. The Devils finally got one past Niitty :50 seconds into the second period when Travis Zajac poked a rebound underneath him to make it 1-0 New Jersey. Steve Stamkos’ 10th goal of the season tied it at 1 when he fired a wrist shot from the near circle at 4:34 of the third period to beat Martin Brodeur on the far side of the net. After a scoreless overtime, David Clarkson lifted a backhander past Niittymaki in the 4th round of the shootout to give the Devils their seventh straight road win of the season. The Lightning hit the road and will face the Philadelphia Flyers in a 5PM start because of game 5 of the World Series played next door between the Phillies and Yankees. The Lightning return home on Thursday Nov. 12th vs. the Minnesota Wild. Puck Droppings Martin St. Louis picked up the 600th point of his career on Steve Stamkos’ goal in the third period today. New Jersey remain undefeated on the road this season (7-0) with today’s win. NHL Hall of Fame Coach and Sarasota resident Scotty Bowman was in the press box this afternoon scouting the game for the Chicago Blackhawks. Former NHL Coach Pat Burns, who also makes his home in Sarasota, was at the game as part of the NJ Devils staff. Former NHL Goalie and Sarasota/Venice media personality and resident Jim Foubister was in the press box this afternoon. Foubister is a hockey analyst on several local radio shows and BLAB-TV. Lightning Edge Thrashers 4-3 By Doug Miles (Tampa, FL) Mike Lundin scored his first NHL goal and Vinnie Lecavalier added three assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3 Saturday night in Tampa. Lundin, just called up from the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL lit the lamp for the first time in his career early in the second period to give the Lightning a 2-1 lead when he wristed the puck high into the net past Thrasher goalie Ondrej Pavelec. “I’m happy for him”, said Bolts Captain Lecavalier. “He’s a smart player on the ice and he played great for us tonight.” Atlanta tied the game at 2-2 when Marty Reasoner slid the puck past Lightning goalie Mike Smith at 16:54 for his 3rd goal of the season. Alex Tanguay put the Bolts up 3-2 when he slammed home a cross ice pass through the crease from Steve Downie for his 5th of the season at 5:04 of the third period. The Lightning took a 2 goal lead a minute 44 seconds later when Ryan Malone poked home a rebound off a Martin St. Louis’ slapshot. The Thrashers pulled within one when Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 22nd on a wrist shot from the high slot at 16:50, but the Bolts held on to win behind the outstanding goaltending of Mike Smith who made 31 saves tonight. The win pulls the Lightning to within 3 points of Atlanta who sit in second place in the Southeast Division. Next up: Boston Bruins Monday night here in Tampa. Puck Droppings The Lighting recalled defenseman Mike Lundin and goalie Riku Helenius from the team’s minor league affiliate the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL today. Jeff Halpern was placed on IR by the Lightning due to a lower body injury suffered earlier this week. Lightning entered tonight’s game 5 points behind 2nd place Thrashers in the Southeast Division. Bolts goalie Antero Niittymaki (who did not play tonight) came into tonight’s game with a 14-0-0 career record against the Thrashers. “Frozen Funk” , the Lightning band played tonight at the Forum during the game. Former NY Islander and Detroit Red Wing executive and current Sarasota resident Jim Devallano were in the press box for tonight’s game. Tonight’s game was the fifth in nine nights for the Bolts. Next up for Lightning: Boston Bruins (who will be playing on New Year’s Day in Fenway Park vs. the Philadelphia Flyers) Monday night here in Tampa. Lightning Clip Penguins 3-1 By Doug Miles (Tampa, FL) The Tampa Bay Lightning ended the first half of the NHL season and began the new year on a high note with a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins this afternoon in Tampa, FL. The loss is the fourth in a row for the current Stanley Cup champions. Martin St. Louis opened the scoring in the Bolts 41st game at a minute and three seconds into the game when he backhanded the puck past Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for his 9th goal of the season. “It felt like a playoff game”, said St. Louis. “I tried to set the tone. We knew we were going against Crosby and the Penguins. I was in the right place at the right time.” Pittsburgh’s Bill Guerin tied the game at 1-1 at 17:15 when he flipped a backhander past goalie Mike Smith for his 13th goal of the season. After that Smitty shut down the black and white birds stopping 25 of 26 shots including 3 man advantage opportunities for the Penguins who came into the game with the NHL’s worst power play. Zenon Konopka poked in a rebound in a scramble in front of the Pittsburgh net for his 2nd goal of the season to give the Bolts a 2-1 lead at 14:26 of the second period. Steve Downie made it 3-1 when he fired a wrist shot from the near circle into the top of the net at 7:11 of the third period for his 8th tally of the year. Vinnie Lecavalier had a penalty shot in the game which was denied by Marc- Andre Fleury. The win puts the Lightning one game over .500 with a 16-15-10 record and 42 points in a battle for the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference with Atlanta, Philadelphia and the NY Islanders all within 2 points of each other. Next up: At Buffalo Sabres January 6th. Puck Droppings Lightning Left Wing Ryan Malone got the good news yesterday after the NHL Winter Classic in Fenway Park that he was selected to the U.S. Olympic team which begins competition next month in Vancouver. Today’s game was their 41st marking the halfway point of the NHL season. Attendance today: 20,109 including a large contingent of Pittsburgh Penguin fans. Bright House Cable customers got a reprieve when Time Warner and Fox reached an agreement on December 31st which will keep Lightning games on Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida in those households. Bolts begin a 3 game road trip January 6th in Buffalo vs. the Sabres, Jan. 8th in New Jersey vs. the Devils and Jan. 9th in Philadelphia against the Flyers before returning home on Jan. 12th against the Washington Capitals. Millionaires Beat St. Pete Sharks 9-7 in Home Opener by Doug Miles (Sarasota, FL) The Sarasota Millionaires opened its home schedule with a 9-7 win over its cross-bay rival St. Petersburg Sharks Saturday night at Booker High School’s Tornado Alley in Sarasota. In a game dominated by defensive play, the Millionaires “blackout” defense kept the Sharks offense off-balance by rushing quarterbacks Gary Fiegel and Chris Bryant all night long, giving them little time to set up in the pocket. Brandon Johnson reaped the benefits when he picked off a Chris Bryant pass and ran it back 60 yards for a touchdown at the 10:21 mark of the second quarter to give the Millionaires a 6-0 lead. Ian Kitchell kicked a 28 yard field goal less than 4 minutes later to put Sarasota up 9-0. St. Petersburg got its lone touchdown when DeAngelo Woodie ran back a missed 53 yard field goal attempt by Kitchell 105 yards down the far sideline to pull the Sharks within two points going into halftime. The second half was a struggle of offenses as both teams missed field goal tries of 37 and 39 yards respectively. The Sharks had a final opportunity late in the fourth quarter, but fumbled the ball which the Millionaires recovered with 3:16 left in the game. Mike Petersen then connected with receiver Gus Blanc on a 45 yard pass play to put the Millionaires on the Shark’s 5 yard line. Sarasota ran out the clock to seal the win. “It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it”, said Millionaires owner and offensive coordinator Calvin Williams. “We tried some different things on offense this week by putting Justin Brienich in at quarterback. It’s a good win.” Extra Points The Millionaires defense had four sacks in the game. Brandon Johnson had two interceptions in the game. The Millionaires travel to Ft. Myers to face the Spartans on Saturday January 30th in a 4PM kickoff. The game will be broadcast locally on radio over WTMY 1280 AM with an audio/video simulcast at www.dougmilesmedia.com via Ustream. Millionaires Defeat Ft. Myers Spartans 21-7 By Doug Miles (Ft. Myers, FL) The Sarasota Millionaires overcame five turnovers to beat the Ft. Myers Spartans 21-7 at the Rutenberg Sports Complex in Ft. Myers Saturday night. Employing a tenacious defense, the Millionaires won its second straight game of the season against another former SSFL rival in the Florida Football Alliance. The Spartans scored it’s lone touchdown of the game five minutes into the opening quarter when a high snap from center sailed over the head of punter Ian Kitchell deep in the Millionaires end of the field and was recovered in the end zone by Ft. Myers. The Millionaires drove the ball down to the Spartans five yard line early in the second quarter before an interception stalled the momentum. Six minutes later, Sarasota got to the Ft. Myers 1 yard line, but a fumbled snap gave the ball back to the Spartans. The Millionaires recovered a fumble of its own on the Ft. Myers 7 yard line when Mo Harris came out of the pile with the football with 4:17 left in the first half. Twenty-three seconds later, quarterback Mike Petersen ran it in from 7 yards out to tie the game at 7 going into halftime. The Millionaires took the lead for good at 6:15 of the third quarter when Mike Petersen connected with Chug Johnson on a 57 yard scoring pass to put Sarasota ahead 14-7. A tenacious defense kept the Spartans offense in check, not allowing Ft. Myers to get within the red zone the entire second half. Marvin “Mo” Harris iced the game when he intercepted Demeul Perry’s pass and ran it back 30 yards for the touchdown giving the Millionaires a 21-7 lead in the fourth quarter. “We got some things done on offense and now we feel we’re ready for the Gladiators”, said team owner and offensive coordinator Calvin Williams, referring to next Saturday’s game against cross-town rival Bradenton at Tornado Alley in Sarasota. Millionaire player Josh Kilduff was injured in the game and was taken to a nearby Ft. Myers hospital for tests after an apparent neck injury. Extra Points The Millionaires defense has not given up a touchdown in its last 10 quarters. The Millionaires improve to 2-1 on the season. Next week’s opponent: Bradenton Gladiators at Booker High School’s “Tornado Alley”. Kickoff at 7:05 PM. Podcasts of previous Millionaires games available at http://blog.milestonebroadcasting.com Video reports on the Millionaires available at http://www.podomatic.com/profile/sarasotamillionaires SSFL Commissioner Slams Former Teams by Doug Miles (Sarasota) Dave Rice, Commissioner of the now defunct Southern States Football League, continues to disparage many of the former teams that have left the SSFL to join other leagues. In particular, Mr. Rice seems to have the harshest criticism of two teams, the Sarasota Millionaires and Ft. Myers Spartans that played recently in their new league, the Florida Football Alliance (FFA). The following diatribe was posted on the SSFL website www.southernstatesfootball.com: “The best and worst of former SSFL teams prevailed in opening games, proving once again that players win games in spite of organizational problems. Representing the best category was former SSFL champions, the Orlando Rage, defeating the Pt. St. Lucie Bobcats, FFA Champions and previously undefeated since their inception. Last year, SSFL Commissioner contacted the leadership of all Florida leagues as well as posted a plan on the internet inviting all league leaders to meet and create a Florida State Tournament. Unfortunately, as expected, league leaders in the FFA, SEFL and FSL never communicated, showing once again their preference to choose to criticize the successful teams in other leagues, but not willing to lay it on the line and decide the best of the best on the field of play. The players in Florida deserve that opportunity instead of the bogus so called National Championship Games that have no basis or credibility. The Rage, representing a team considered in the BEST category during their tenure in the SSFL had been maligned both as a team and individual players and staff in the FFA by league leaders and reporters, responded with the win over the Bobcats which should silence those detractors for at least a week. The Bobcats, a team laden with outstanding former players from the once powerful Fire organization, represent Minor League Football with class. In the WORST category, proving that players win in spite of leadership, this week pitted former SSFL teams Ft. Myers Spartans vs. the Sarasota Millionaires and the St. Pete Sharks vs. the credible and outstanding leadership run organization, the Duval Panthers. The Spartans, Sharks and Millionaires, problem organizations deemed undesirable in the SSFL for specific reasons related only to leadership and not due to players talent and dedication, prove there is a place for teams in Minor League Football that would never be accepted at any other level. Players win games demonstrates the strength of SSFL players with wins in their new league. The Spartans, violators of standards and rules had to account for their actions with positive results for the SSFL in the court system and expelled accordingly. The Sharks, once considered one of the BEST administrations when owned by SSFL Hall of Fame member, Pollock, in the last 3 years had deteriorated to one of the worst in SSFL history. Owner, Torryann Gammage has the distinction of being the only SSFL Hall of Fame inductee voted out of the HOF by the selection committee based on his conduct as the team’s owner. The Millionaires, in 2009 experienced the greatest turnaround from a disciplined organization to an organization out of control on the field, demonstrating intolerable discipline problems which included brandishing weapons post game and resulted in conduct at the Championship Game in the Citrus Bowl that tarnished the reputation of the SSFL and still exists as blight on Minor League football. It is the year to open the eyes of those owners who wish to organize and operate in a professional and ethical manner. Those who embrace thug football, playing on non conforming fields, cancel and forfeit games, lie, cheat and take players money to pay for what an owner should pay for through good business practice - let them play each other. If everyone exposed these people for what they are, perhaps Minor League Football in Florida could win back the reputation we enjoyed only a few short years ago and live up to what we tell the players and fans.” As a broadcaster and reporter who has covered the Sarasota Millionaires since the team’s inception three years ago, I find it puzzling to understand Mr. Rice’s continual attacks on the Millionaires leadership. Owners Calvin and Bethsaida Williams formed the Millionaires out of their love for the game. They work tirelessly to make the players feel they are part of a first-class, professional organization. The team travels to road games by luxury busses, at the expense of the owners. The team’s uniforms are NFL quality. The William’s worked out arrangements for lighted practice fields, team meeting and classroom facilities and stadium to play its games. I have personally attended meetings with Mr. Williams when negotiating broadcast contracts with radio stations that carry Millionaire games. He is, and has been nothing but professional in his actions and demeanor. I have traveled with the team to road games and in my opinion, every player I’ve talked to and have been around feels the same way about the William’s ownership. Sure, there have been some isolated incidents where players have done things off the field that have gotten them in trouble, but that is not unique to the Millionaires or any team in the former SSFL or current FFA. We’ve seen it in the NFL countless times and you never see Commissioner Roger Goodell badmouth team ownership. It’s time Mr. Rice focus on rebuilding his league by putting forth a positive perspective on what the SSFL may or may not offer. Bradenton Gladiators Take Down Millionaires 42-6 by Doug Miles (Sarasota, FL) The Bradenton Gladiators showed why it has the number one offense in the FFA with a convincing 42-6 victory over its cross-county rivals the Sarasota Millionaires Saturday night at Booker High School’s Tornado Alley. The first quarter belonged to Sarasota when Dennis Watson picked off a Millard Dawson pass and ran it back 55 yards for a touchdown six minutes into the game. The Millionaires defense recovered two Bradenton fumbles and prevented an offensive touchdown for the 11 straight quarter. After that, the Gladiators potent offense kicked into gear and took command. Bradenton scored 42 unanswered points beginning with Chauncey Jones two yard touchdown run with three minutes left in the first half to give the Gladiators the lead for good. Less than one minute later, Demetrius Craddock recovered a fumble and rumbled into the end zone to make it 14-6. Glenn Woods added another touchdown with 41 seconds left in the quarter on a 1 yard run giving the Gladiators a 21-6 lead at halftime. Chauncey Jones and Glenn Woods would score additional rushing touchdowns in the second half and Chris Kastor recovered a fumble for an additional score to maintain the Gladiator’s status as the top offense in the Florida Football Alliance and maintain its undefeated record at 3-0 atop the AFC West division. The Millionaires, now 2-2, have a much needed bye week next Saturday and will prepare to take on the Florida Falcons on February 20th in Middleburg, FL. Extra Points Sarasota unveiled its new green jerseys in Saturday’s game vs. Bradenton. The team also added a gold stripe down the middle of its helmets. Josh Kilduff, who was taken to a Ft. Myers hospital last week with a neck injury, was on the sidelines wearing a neck brace supporting his teammates. The Millionaires travel to Middleburg to face the Florida Falcons on Saturday February 20th in a 7PM kickoff. Millionaires use last minute comeback to defeat Sharks 7-2 (St. Petersburg, FL) Putting together a last minute drive, the Sarasota Millionaires came back to defeat the Sharks 7-2 Saturday night on a chilly night in St. Petersburg to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive and well. Trailing by the unlikely score of 2-0 for most of the game, quarterback Mike Peterson lead the Millionaires on a 67 yard drive with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter capped off by a 24 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Johnson in the corner of the end zone to give Sarasota the only touchdown it would need to win the game. The Sharks scored its safety when William Jones blocked a punt out of the end zone six minutes into the second quarter. The game was a defensive battle, as they always are between these two division rivals. A total of nine turnovers in the game kept both offenses out of the end zone. Rosson “Pick 6” Allen had three interceptions for the Millionaires, a blocked field goal and prevented St. Petersburg’s go-to receiver Deangelo Woodie from getting open most of the game. “What can I say about the way Rosson played. He had a great game tonight as the team really pulled together,” said owner and player in the game Calvin Williams. “We’ve been through a lot of adversity the past two weeks with the suspensions, but we’ve gotten back on the winning track.” The Millionaires played with a shortened roster as nine players were given additional one game suspensions by the FFA due to the situation that happened in the Florida Falcons game in Middleburg two weeks ago. The Falcons served it’s team suspension Saturday night forfeiting its game to the Duval Panthers. The win gives the Millionaires a record of 3-4 as they sweep the season series from St. Petersburg and puts them in a solid position for a wildcard playoff berth. The Sharks fall to 4-3. Next week Sarasota faces the Ft. Myers Spartans in a 3:30 kickoff at Booker High School’s Tornado Alley. Podcasts of previous Millionaire games available at http://blog.milestonebroadcasting.com. Sarasota Millionaires Dominate Ft. Myers Spartans 30-0 By Doug Miles (Sarasota, FL) The Sarasota Millionaires struck early and never looked back as they defeated the Ft. Myers Spartans 30-0 Saturday night at Booker High School’s Tornado Alley to even their record at 4-4. Despite the delay in starting the game due to the officials not arriving until 6:15 PM (the scheduled kickoff was 3:30 PM), the Millionaires jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on its first series on offense when Dominick Grable scored on a 6 yard touchdown run capping off a 31 yard scoring drive. Josh Evans carried the ball in from 1 yard out on the Millionaires next possession to give Sarasota a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. “We really needed to execute our running game”, said Millionaires Head Coach Gerald Benton. “ Our guys played extremely well. Our offense put the ball in the end zone on our first series, something we haven’t done all year.” Due to the late start of the game and a small roster of players that made the trip for the Spartans, the officials used a running clock and twelve minute quarters instead of the usual fifteen. Quarterback Justin Breinich threw his first touchdown pass as a Millionaire as time ran out in the second quarter connecting on a 29 yard strike to Bruce Singleton to give Sarasota a 20-0 lead at halftime. Ian Kitchell added a 35 yard field goal and Tony “Bo” Johnson scored a defensive touchdown when he returned a fumble 52 yards with 1:11 left in the game. Meanwhile the Millionaires defense completely shutdown the Spartans offense, not allowing any completed passes and only one first down the entire game. Sarasota will face the Bradenton Gladiators next Saturday night in Bradenton looking to avenge it’s 42-6 loss on February 6th at home and tighten up the division race. “We’re looking forward to traveling to the PAL Bowl next week and putting on a good show against the Gladiators”, said Millionaires owner Calvin Williams. Extra Points The Millionaires have allowed just 2 points the last two games. The Millionaires take on their cross-county rival Bradenton Gladiators next Saturday March 20th at the PAL Bowl in Bradenton, FL. Kickoff at 7:05PM. Sarasota looks to even the season series with the Gladiators who beat the Millionaires 42-6 on February 6th in Sarasota. All games are broadcast on WTMY 1280 AM in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL with a video simulcast on www.Ustream.com and www.dougmilesmedia.com Podcasts of Millionaire games are available at http://blog.milestonebroadcasting.com Bradenton Gladiators comeback to defeat Millionaires 33-20 by Doug Miles (Bradenton, FL) The Bradenton Gladiators scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to mount a 33-20 comeback victory over the Sarasota Millionaires Saturday night at PAL Stadium in Bradenton, FL. @ @
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