Winnipeg, MB – The Thunder Bay Chill headed home from Winnipeg Sunday with a split in their games against WSA Winnipeg in PDL action. The Chill started the weekend on Saturday night with a 2-0 victory on goals by Declan Rodriguez and Vitor Huvos.
The Chill dominated most of the play and possession in the game, outshooting WSA Winnipeg 12-4. Declan Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 23’ when he put a way a ball off a corner kick that dropped in the box after being headed by Adrian Crace. A penalty kick in the 47’ would have given the Chill a 2-0 lead at the time but the shot by Vitor Huvos was stopped by keeper Justin Partaker, who was up to the challenge. However, Huvos made a great run in the 85’ when he took the ball from the left flank across the middle and towards the 18 yd box, and chipped over Partaker’s head. Partaker got his hand to the ball but it dropped in behind him for the second goal of the game. Many of the Chill players had a very good game on Saturday, but Huvos skill and runs during the game made him stand out.
Although it was the first game of the season on Saturday several Chill players were forced to sit out with injuries. In addition, two other players were not eligible as they await their international clearance. As a result, the Chill only had 15 players able to suit up for both games, one of which was the second substitute keeper.
Sunday afternoon’s affair turned out much different for the Chill even though they dominated most of the play and had most of the chances. However several lapses by the Chill defenders allowed Moses Danto to break in on two occasions to make it 2-0 before the break. Then 30 seconds into the second half, the Chill allowed WSA to break in and get their third goal of the match. The Chill rebounded with a penalty kick minutes later that Nolan Intermoia made no mistake on, and an injury time goal by Zetroy Robertson to make the game 3-2.
Coach Tony Colistro was not happy with Sunday’s result. “It is hard to have the guys come out on 14 hours of rest and when we only had 3 subs” he said. “However, you do have to give WSA credit for capitalizing on our miscues. That was just our players being fatigued after playing in hot conditions in both games”.
Nonetheless the Chill start the season 1-1 and now await both the St. Louis Lions and the Springfield Demize who will visit Thunder Bay for games on Friday June 5th and Saturday June 6th respectively. Both games are scheduled for Chapples Park at 7:30 pm depending on the condition of the field.
The Thunder Bay Chill plays in the 64 team Premier Development League (PDL) which is the top developmental men’s league in North America.
