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Atlético Ottawa have claimed their first ever Canadian Premier League title Sunday night, beating Calgary's Cavalry FC 2-1 at home in a driving November snowstorm that players and fans alike said they'll never forget.
David Rodriguez scored the game winner in the 106th minute — his second of the night — on a pitch that had just been cleared of a thick layer of snow after regulation time ended in a tie.
His first goal of the night came in the first half from a spectacular bicycle kick that fans have already dubbed "the icicle kick" due to the wintry conditions.
After the game, Rodriguez called it an "amazing" experience.
"I’m never going to forget this night and I just want to thank all the people that showed up tonight," he told CBC after the final whistle. "I can’t wait to get to the locker room and be warm and celebrate."
WATCH | Atlético's spectacular game-tying goal:Soccer player David Rodriguez tells The National about the moment he scored a bicycle kick in the snow, dubbed an icicle-kick, in Canada’s Premier League final to tie the game and propel his team, Atlético Ottawa, to win the championship.The two sides fought the conditions as much as each other Sunday night, and the kickoff was delayed due to the snow. Stadium crews used leaf blowers and shovels throughout the night to clear the lines on the pitch, with players occasionally pitching in to help.
According to the club, 13,132 hardy soccer fans braved the bitter conditions Sunday night, and most stayed until the final whistle. Many appeared to revel in the unique experience.
"It’s Canada and it’s November so it’s expected, so we just dress up for it. And I’ve never seen soccer played this way, so it’s cool!" said Jacinthe Duval, who was there with her son.
Her secret for staying warm? "Just dance and boogie with the rest of the crowd, that’s all."
Atlético Ottawa goalkeeper Nathan Ingham carries a snow shovel following a break in play as officials work to clean soccer pitch lines at TD Place during the Canadian Premier League final on Nov. 9. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)Jason Skokos said he arrived unprepared for the conditions, so he bought a blanket at the team shop to keep his hands from freezing. That, and frequent trips to the men's room where the hand dryers were in constant use throughout the evening, seemed to do the trick.
"I think it’s the perfect way to [cap off] the season and show what Canadians are all about," Skokos said.
Some fans had clearly prepared for the weather, many wearing ski goggles and thick mittens. At one point, the stadium announcer asked the crowd to refrain from throwing snowballs.
Calgary scores firstCavalry FC got the scoring underway when Fraser Aird netted a penalty kick in the 32nd minute, but Rodriguez tied things up with his stunning bicycle kick a few minutes later.
Calgary fan German Aravena said Ottawa seemed to fare better on the snow-covered pitch.
"From what I can see, honestly I think Atlético has somehow been able to control the ball, even with these conditions, a little better than Cavalry," he said. "It’s a tough game, for sure."
At the end of regulation time, crews spent nearly an hour clearing the field of the snow that had hampered passes and limited scoring opportunities throughout the evening.
Midway through extra time, Rodriguez took a long ball from Manny Aparicio and chipped it past Cavalry goalkeeper Marco Carducci for his second goal.
Cavalry FC tried valiantly to tie it up in the dying minutes, but Ottawa's defence held firm. When the final whistle blew, the home crowd — still sizable, despite the bad weather — erupted in ecstasy.
Gabriel Mendes Antinoro kisses the North Star Cup after Atlético Ottawa's 2-1 win Sunday night over Cavalry FC. It's the first time Atlético has claimed the Canadian Premier League title. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)'There's no feeling like it'After the game, Ottawa's top scorer Sam Salter, who will soon be off to play in Sweden, marvelled at the resilience of the fans.
"We're so happy to win in front of our fans," Salter said.
Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham, who was among the players who pitched in to shovel snow, had a hard time putting it into words.
"There’s no feeling like it in the world, man. It’s unbelievable. I’m so happy, I’m so happy to do it with this group,"
Ingham noted both teams had to deal with the conditions, but only one could win.
"With this team, I’m telling you, you could play on the moon, you could play in the sand, you could play on the snow, you could play on a perfect pitch, we don’t care. No excuse, get the win."
Ingham said he was also thrilled for the fans.
"No fan base deserves a trophy more than them, and I’ve been dying to bring them this one. I’ve been dying to bring them this trophy and we finally did it today," he said before heading to the locker room to thaw out.
Atlético had only made the final once before, in 2022, when they lost to Hamilton's Forge FC.
Cavalry FC won the North Star Cup in 2024 and were trying to repeat as league champions.