The Algonquin Thunder were shocked by last night’s shootout loss to the VIU Mariners. Today, they were completely disheartened.
After controlling the play on a chilling morning in Oakville, the Thunder failed to capitalize on any scoring opportunities, eventually dropping a 1-0 decision to the NIAT Ooks in the bronze semi-finals.
“It’s a cruel game,” said head coach Mike Gagliano. “We go from the highest of highs yesterday to the lowest of lows today, and I feel like we might have even gone lower. But it’s football, that’s all you can say; it’s football.”
The Ooks broke the scoreless affair in the 82nd minute after Monty Haines collected a shot from Dexter Maclaclan that rang off the crossbar, and had all day to put it in the back of the net. The deflated Thunder never really threatened again after that.
Algonquin had chances to gain a lead in the first half. Creating opportunities off of corner kicks, the Thunder had a number of balls on the goal line, including one from Isaac Johnson that appeared to go in. However, the call did not go Algonquin’s way.
The most surprising chance came on a clear by Thunder keeper Kris Holford-Walker that took a high bounce over Ooks keeper Ryan Gillie before he could recover and keep the game scoreless.
Less than 24 hours before Algonquin suffered a disappointing loss in penalties that dashed their hopes of a gold medal. This morning, the team looked loose and Gagliano said he liked the way the team started.
“It’s always going to be hard (coming off a loss) but think the guys did a good job. A lot of guys that didn’t get minutes prior played today and played admirably. Unfortunately the bounces didn’t go our way and if you let a team hang around that long anything can happen. That’s the breaks.”
The Thunder cannot turn around and come home though. The team must play out an essentially meaningless game for fifth place against the Keyano Huskies, a team they already beat 7-0. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. tomorrow.