Week 3: The Nordmen Beat the Bouncers in their home opener

The Nordmen wipe the taste of defeat from their mouths and bounce the Bouncers out of Rovaniemi! The warriors of the four winds handed the Bouncers their first loss of the 2022 campaign, 28-18 (8-11).

After getting beat by the Northern Lights, the Nordmen showed up big time at home. The Nordmen hosted the Mikkeli Bouncers, who were undefeated before taking the trip up north. The Bouncers faced a tough task, traveling for their longest trip of the season for a Sunday game. They showed up with a few key pieces missing from their roster, but they were ready to fight.

The start of the game was a tight, defensive battle. Both teams had a slow start on offense, struggling to move the ball as both defenses showed they were a force to be reckoned with. The first score took a while, but came via an Alfonso Ikäheimo run for the first score at the end of the 1st quarter with QB Lucas Martinez finding the speedy WR Olli Salmela for the 2pt conversion and making it 8-0 for the home team. Mikkeli produced great special teams all game, especially in the kicking game. Mikkeli kicked a 40+ yard field goal shortly after to make the score 8-3. After both teams getting on the scoreboard, it was all defense again. The Nordmen were riding the run game with QB Martinez finding WR Ikäheimo open several times, but all of this did not show on the scoreboard. The Nordmen offense lost possession close to their own end zone and the Bouncers capitalized to make it 8-11 at the half.

The Nordmen owned the second half, outscoring the away team 20-7. The home team defense showed yet again that they are one of the most fierce defenses in the division. The Bouncers did not succeed on offense at all before very late in the game. The Nordmen offense took a huge step forward and also changed from previous games; running the ball well, especially after halftime . The offensive line bounced back after a shaky start to the season and brought a big performance in front of the home crowd. This unit plowed through the away team, resulting in 200 yards rushing and 3 rushing touchdowns! The running game for the Nordmen had been non-existent, but behind the line WR/RB Miika Virkki had a massive game. Rushing for over a 120 yards and a touchdown, Virkki scored a 72 yard touchdown for his first career score. WR Salmela caught another 2pt conversion, as it was safe to say the “three amigos” had a good day at home. QB Lucas Martinez ran for his first rush TD as well, and found Aurélien Germay in the end zone for a passing TD.

Defensively, the Nordmen were all over the Bouncers. Only a few big plays were allowed, but they otherwise completely silenced the run game that had been the Bouncers bread and butter all season. On defense, there was relentless pressure, forcing the offense to struggle for every single yard. A lot of success on defense, again with the lead of the ball-hawk DB Aurelien Germay, the QB nightmare Petri “the Pulverizer” Korhonen and LB Ryan Oliveira.

The Nordmen start a long midsummer break at 2-1. Halfway through the season, the Nordmen seem to get better and better with every game. Now, they have plenty of time to prepare for the Milky City Farmers and get a few key players back from the injured list.

No previews or recaps for a while, but stay tuned for more news soon. Have a great midsummer, everyone!