ICE STORM WIN!!!

From the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus:

By CHRIS MUNSON Correspondent - Published: January 18, 2009

MIAMI – The motto of the 2008 Ice Storm season has been, "Are you average?" in memory of special teams coach Mike LaBarre, who passed away in August. On Saturday at the USA Bowl in Miami, the Ice Storm proved they are well above average.

Montpelier native Brad Ruderman went 10-for-30 for 180 yards and a pair of scores to Austin Partain, and coach Doc Perez earned his 100th career victory as the Vermont Ice Storm defeated the DC Explosion 17-12.

The Ice Storm defense set the tone early by stopping a nine-play drive by DC as Donny LaFluer sacked DC quarterback Jacob Foster on a fourth-and-inches play from the Ice Storm 35.

The Ice Storm could not take advantage of the opportunity as kicker Evan Hicks missed a 32-yard field goal, and following a pair of punts, the first quarter ended scoreless.

Ruderman went through a rough patch in the second quarter, throwing two interceptions, including one that was returned 74 yards for a score, but redeemed himself as he connected with Partain on a 41-yard touchdown pass and the Ice Storm took a 7-0 lead into the locker room.

The Ice Storm defense was a big part of the story, holding DC to only 41 total yards in the first half and forced DC quarterback Jacob Foster to throw four interceptions. Chris Coppins, Cory Belida, Kyle Bombardier and former Quebec Titan Andrew Blevings had interceptions for the Ice Storm.

The proverbial icing on the cake came two minutes into the fourth quarter when Ruderman once again hooked up with Partain; this time from two yards out and the Ice Storm took a 17-6 lead. The Explosion scored with a minute to go on a Foster 19-yard TD scamper but failed to recover the ensuing onside kick, and the Ice Storm came out with a 17-12 victory.

"This was a total team effort," Perez said. "DC has phenomenal athletes, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The only way we won this game was because of the way we played as a team."

Also on the Ice Storm roster are Barre's Kevin Matott and Lloyd White and Montpelier's Dan Lawson.