Friday night at Foothills Park marked the end of the Calgary Storm’s home schedule for 2002. For once, the weather was ideal. Sunny, hot, and calm conditions made it a pleasure to go to the park, unlike many other evenings this year. Despite the atypical weather, the Storm played much like they have throughout the season. After battling the Montreal Impact for most of the match, the Calgary side allowed two very late goals giving the victory to the Impact 3-1.
Montreal came out guns blazing early in the match. Storm keeper Jamie Glasnovic was forced to make a couple of difficult saves only two minutes into the match. In the 14th minute, Mark Rowland had a chance in Calgary’s box on a scramble, but Glasnovic was able to recover and make the save.
Patrice Bernier looked impressive in this match. The Impact forward took a hard shot in the 20th minute that went just wide. A minute later, Bernier had the ball and made a brilliant back heel pass to Eduardo Sebrango, whose shot found the back of the net to give Montreal the lead.
The Storm’s first decent chance occurred in the 27th minute, when Conrad Chala’s blast went just high and wide right. A couple of minutes later, Jamie Auvigne chipped a ball into the box in the direction of an open Waldo Dutra, but Montreal keeper Paul Shepherd came off his line to catch the ball, ending the threat. Shepherd remained aggressive in the 38th minute when he ran out and caught another well placed cross, this time from the foot of Nik Ledgerwood.
Storm forward Chris Lemire showed off some speed in the 44th minute when he broke towards goal, but could not make it past the last Impact defender. Shortly afterward, Rowland had a similar but longer run and forced Glasnovic into making a save.
In the final moments of the half, Tommy Wheldon Jr. of the Storm made a well placed free kick, but the resulting header was saved.
The fans were awoken in the opening minutes of the second half when Lemire drew the Storm even with a chip shot that went over Shepherd and into the net.
A couple of minutes later, Lemire blazed down the left side of the field and took a shot, which was deflected off Impact defender Patrick Leduc which almost resulted in an own goal, but the ball went just wide.
As the half wore on, Montreal pressed with more chances. Bernier took a solid shot from 20 yards out in the 54th minute, but the ball was high. In the 58th minute, Sebrango’s header went just over the bar. Bernier passed to Sebrango in the 63rd minute, but the resulting shot also went over the net.
In the 77th minute, Storm midfielder Jamie Auvigne was ejected for his second yellow card. Despite this disadvantage, the Storm kept the play reasonably even for the last minutes of the match.
Giuliano Oliverio launched a rocket in the 78th minute from about 25 yards out. Glasnovic just punched it over the bar. Bernier had another opportunity in the 80th minute, but his header was not fast enough to beat Glasnovic. In the 83rd minute, Bernier took a point blank shot from 12 yards out that Glasnovic turned away. Shortly after, Oliverio’s pass put Sebrango on a break, but Glasnovic came through again.
As time wound down, there were four minutes of injury time to be added. It appeared that the Storm would end their home season going into overtime. However, five minutes into injury time the game was still on. Bernier worked his way forward along the left goal line. He took a shot from an awkward angle which Glasnovic stopped, but the rebound bounced right in front of the net where Ze Roberto pounced on it and made no mistake.
The game still continued after the goal. Montreal won a corner kick in the 96th minute. Bernier launched the ball into the box, where it was headed into the goal. Originally it was thought that Ledgerwood scored an own goal, but Nick DeSantis did receive credit for the marker. The game ended Montreal 3 Calgary 1.
The Impact have control of their own destiny in the Voyageurs Cup. The final match of this competition is on Sunday, when Montreal takes on Vancouver on the west coast. A Montreal win gives them the title. A draw or loss will give the Cup to the Toronto Lynx.
The Storm are seven points behind the Indiana Blast, who have the second worst record in the A-League.
This game marks the final home match for the Storm this season. The club now embarks on a three game road trip with stops in Seattle, Cincinnati, and Indiana to finish the season.
Lineups:
Calgary: Glasnovic, Peznecker (Wimble 46), DeSilva, Wheldon, Ledgerwood, Chala (Bosch 60, Sestito 82), Dutra, Auvigne, Gillespie, Jesic (Bachelu 71), Lemire
Montreal: Shepherd, Gervais (Pizzolito 53), Barker, DiTullio, Kopp, Rowland (Oliverio 75), Fronimadis (Biello 59), Roberto, Leduc (DeSantis 65), Bernier, Sebrango
Goals:
Calgary: Lemire (48th)
Montreal: Bernier (21st), Roberto (95th), DeSantis (96th)
Cautions:
Calgary: Auvigne (21st & 77th), Jesic (42nd), DeSilva (74th), Lemire (89th)
Montreal: DiTullio (42nd), Pizzolito (68th)
Ejections:
Calgary: Auvigne (77th)
Montreal: none
Attendance: about 1800
Weather: sunny, calm, about 28C (88F)
STORM WARNINGS:
Midfielder Shawn Wimble made his Storm debut on Friday. He hails from England, and was part of Swindon Town’s youth system when Storm coach Tommy Wheldon Sr. was in charge of the program. Wimble last played for Oxford...Martin Dugas was still out of action with injury...Injured Storm midfielder was spotted in the crowd...If the Storm beat the Indiana Blast next week and are able to secure four more points in their final two games, they can pass Indiana in the standings. This assumes that Indiana loses their game Saturday. If they tie, the Storm will need five more points. A Blast win would require the Storm to probably win all three remaining games...As it stands right now, the club maintains it will be back next season. Despite the dismal season in the standings, there were some definite achievements by this club. The fans certainly hope to see the Storm blow back into town next spring.
