Calgary gradually got a tighter grip on the forwards, got to the ball first, found space and created a few chances; and then a few more. Napuri battered and finessed, Yamada and Reyes conducted and connived, Kooy directed…. and the team stepped it up a notch… and then another. 0-2 slowly and inexorably changed to 2-2 and then 4-2, by the end of the first quarter, and then 5-2. This is more like it boys, keep it going! But the funny thing about this league is that you can never relax, the job is never done before the final whistle, especially on the lively surface of the Henk Ruys Centre. Beeno Looft added the Accelerators third and at 5-3 Calgary hearts began to flutter. But just seconds later Pat Kelly added Calgary’s sixth to reinstate the gap and quell the fears, temporarily at least.
Two quick Calgary goals just after halftime made it 8-3 and United sensed that a good result was on the horizon, and at the third quarter break this score remained. Just stay composed, keep the ball, don’t force it, use the full field…..
But shortly into the fourth quarter Saskatoon pulled one back and once again the jitters appeared. A four goal lead is huge, right…at least it appeared that way last week when we were behind by 0-4. But today it seemed so vulnerable, so attainable. Even when Napuri made it 9-4 to open up the five goal difference again a comeback did not seem impossible.
Calgary could not, would not relax. Coach Flannery wagged fingers, grabbed shirts and stared into players faces to make them focus, make them stay disciplined and make them concentrate. With more than five minutes left Saskatoon pulled their goalie for a sixth attacker and implemented the high press and almost immediately reduced the deficit. And then with a minute remaining they added another and even with only 60 seconds left it seemed possible that they could come back. Such is this wild and wacky indoor game.
But 9-6 was as close as they got, and United had won. Felix Napuri had 3 goals and 3 assists and Kelly, Yamada and Reyes had multi-point nights; oh, and Jesic scored another goal...he asked me to mention it. This performance was about more than personal glory, though. The team showed that their pride and experience would not allow them to be surprised twice and that they had the will to push back and eventually …win.
Following the victory CUFC has 16 points, still 2 points behind the Accelerators, but now their fate is in their own hands. Calgary must win their games against Winnipeg this coming weekend to qualify for the North American finals in San Diego. Winnipeg is 3-7 on the season. Easy right… sure… remember Saskatoon at home??
