Howe Sound Men's Soccer League champions Canex remains the team to beat in the playoffs after beating Dyer Straits 3-1 in the first week of post-season play at the newly reopened Brennan Park fields on Sunday (Mar. 7).
The club is now closer to sealing an undefeated season after finishing league play with five wins and six draws to claim top spot in the five-team league with 21 total points.
The game remained tight going into halftime with the Dyer Straits Brent Williston scoring on a penalty shot awarded after a Canex player got nailed for a hand ball.
The goal evened the score 1-1 going into the second half, but Canex increased its offensive pressure and buried two more goals for the win. Brandon George potted one goal and Gary O'Neil added two more for Canex.
"I thought we were all over them," said Canex player Ron Nahanee. "They didn't have many chances."
According to Dyer Straits coach Dave Harrison, the team played a solid game but simply struggled to finish.
"We hit the posts and missed a couple chances but it was an even game," he said. "We have to win all our games now and hope that somebody beats them."
The playoffs use a round-robin format, with all teams playing each other once. The team with the most points at the end wins the Premier Championship.
Khalsa is also in solid shape after pummelling Zephyr FC 11-2 on the neighbouring field on Sunday. The lopsided victory over Zephyr, which has yet to record a win in eight games, was no surprise. Khalsa finished the season in third place with a record of five wins, four losses and two draws for 17 total points.
The Ellis Moving Eagles should be well rested this weekend having started the playoffs with a bye. The Eagles put on a late surge in league play and finished the season just three points behind Canex with five wins, three losses and three draws.
The two teams meet Sunday (Mar. 14) in a game that could determine the Premier Champions. Canex is treating the matchup like a championship final, said Nahanee.
"It's going to be a good one this Sunday. I think whoever wins this would probably get the playoffs," he said.
Dyer Straits will try to keep its playoff hopes alive when it takes on Khalsa. Both games start at 10 a.m. at Brennan Park.
