08/13/2006 12:54 AM - Spokane, WA: The Spokane Shock made history tonight in front of 9,692, winning their first ever playoff game, beating the Blitz in dramatic fashion, 50-47. With the win tonight, the Shock advance to the National Conference Finals where they will host the Arkansas Twisters at the Spokane Arena.

All season long the Shock have had a flair for the dramatic. In the first playoff game in franchise history, things were no different. With less then five minutes remaining in the game, the Shock and the Blitz were tied 40-40. Before all was said and done, the lead changed hands three more times before the final buzzer sounded declaring a Shock victory.

After the Blitz tied the game, the Shock capitalized on a three minute and 48 second drive with a 19 yard field goal by Shock kicker Jon Koker to take the 43-40 lead.

But the powerful offense of the Blitz, led by Quarterback Bobby Pesavento, (25-40 for 234 yards passing with four touchdowns) came right back and scored on an 11 yard pass to DeRonn Finley with only 18 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing kick-off, the crowd built to a near deafening noise level as WR/LB Antwone Savage waited for the kick-off. Savage, who earned the Offensive Player of the Game award, set the stage with a 20 yard return allowing the Shock to start their drive at the 14 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Rowley found Savage for a 10 yard completion and quickly called the Shock's final timeout. An incomplete pass left the Shock with just 6 seconds left in the game.

With the fate of their season in Rowley’s hands, he found Charles Frederick on a post route for a 20 yard touchdown with just 2 seconds left on the clock, giving the Shock the go-ahead score.

The ensuing kick-off brought the ball out to the 17 yard line and set up a 49 yard field goal attempt by Blitz kicker Jaret Johnson. With the game waning in the balance, Johnson’s kick fell short sealing the victory for the Shock.

After the game, Siegfried--who seemed overcome with emotion--said: “I went in at halftime and told the guys to play their hearts out for the next 30 minutes. They went out there and played an exceptional half for me.”

Frederick got the Shock off to a promising start, returning the game's opening kickoff 58 yards for a quick strike that gave Spokane a 7-0 lead. After an impressive defensive stand on the next drive held the Blitz scoreless, it looked like the Shock would roll. But Bakersfield's vaunted pass rush kept the Shock offense off its rythym throughout the first half and the Shock went into the locker room down 26-17.

After the Blitz scored on their opening drive of the second half to take a 33-19 lead, the Shock started their comeback. Two straight defensive stops allowed the Shock to score 21 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter to take a 40-33 lead.

Tickets for the National Conference Fnal will go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 AM. Tickets can be purchased by calling 325-SEAT.