The Baltimore Blast has been pretty good this year, so if Santa grants the team its Christmas wishes, the organization and its fans will be celebrating a fourth title in five seasons this spring.
Blast coach Danny Kelly is concerned with a more pressing wish.
“The team is asking Santa for a road victory,” he said.
The Blast (4-4) could desperately use one. While the team has gone 4-0 at 1st Mariner Arena, it is winless in four tries on the road.
“Winning on the road is important because getting into the playoffs, you have to win on the road,” Kelly said.
If the wish for road wins comes true and the team continues its play at home, a championship run would be in order. That?s exactly what team president/general manager Kevin Healey is looking for, saying that his wish is for “a successful ?07, concluding in a championship.”
Another item on the team?s wish list is health ? four All-Star-caliber players have missed significant time this season.
“We have a lot of knots and bruises,” Healey said.
With that and the holiday season in mind, Kelly gave his players the weekend and Christmas Day to spend with their families.
“I think it?s important for the guys to be with their families and focus on work when we get back Tuesday,” Kelly said.
A two-week break from game competition couldn?t have come at a better time for the Blast. The team?s next game is Dec. 30 at the Chicago Storm (6-3), which the Blast defeated, 18-12, on Nov. 11.
“We have a lot of guys that are banged up,” Kelly said. “Hopefully we?ll get them back for Chicago ? and if not, the next game after that.”
In the meantime, however, Kelly said a number of complementary players are working into the lineup well ? specifically Matt Watson (UMBC), Patrick Ouckama and Gordon Chin.
“There are opportunities there. If they can step up and take them, that?s what I?d like to see,” Kelly said. “It would make my job harder in the decision I have to make, but ultimately, I?ll make the team better.”
BLAST INTO ?07
» The Blast plays Saturday in Chicago at 2 p.m. The game can be heard on 680 AM.
» The team returns home Saturday, Jan. 6 for a 7:35 p.m. game against Detroit.
