Ottawa Triumphs in Blizzard to Claim the Canadian Premier League Crown
Now this was no ordinary soccer final — this was a snow-fueled battle that will go down as one of the most memorable nights in Canadian sports. On Sunday, the Canadian Premier League championship turned into a frozen spectacle, as Atlético Ottawa faced off against defending champions Cavalry FC of Calgary at TD Place. What was supposed to be a 90-minute match stretched to nearly four hours, all thanks to a relentless snowstorm that blanketed the field in white.
From the very first whistle, it was clear this was going to be less about fancy footwork and more about sheer willpower. Players trudged through ankle-deep snow, the bright orange ball barely visible against the swirling flurries. At one point, Ottawa goalkeeper Nathan Ingham grabbed a shovel himself to help clear the lines — talk about dedication! Environment Canada had warned about 10 to 20 centimetres of snowfall in the Ottawa region that day, and it came down exactly as predicted, if not more.
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Despite the conditions, the game itself was thrilling. Cavalry struck first in the 33rd minute, when Fraser Aird converted a penalty to give Calgary the lead. The celebration was cut short, though, as Atlético fans playfully hurled snowballs toward the jubilant Cavalry players — a lighthearted moment in the middle of a freezing war. Just six minutes later, Ottawa midfielder Gabriel Antonaro lobbed a perfect ball into the box, and David RodrÃguez pulled off a stunning bicycle kick through the snow to tie things up 1-1. It was a goal that instantly lit up the icy stadium.
After 90 minutes, with the score still level and visibility worsening, plows had to be brought out to clear the field before extra time could even begin. Once the turf was visible again, the pace of play picked up dramatically. Then, in the 106th minute, RodrÃguez — who, fun fact, saw snow for the first time only earlier this year — struck again. He chipped the ball past Cavalry’s goalkeeper Marco Carducci, sealing a 2-1 victory and Ottawa’s first-ever Canadian Premier League title.
Cavalry fought hard until the very end, but Ottawa simply refused to let go of their lead. The final whistle sparked wild celebrations from players and fans who had braved the blizzard. “I’m never going to forget this night,” RodrÃguez said afterward, beaming despite the freezing temperatures. Coach Diego MejÃa praised his team’s spirit, joking, “Even if we had played in water, in a pool, we’d win this match.”
And with that, Atlético Ottawa lifted the North Star Cup and booked their place in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. It was more than just a win — it was a testament to resilience, passion, and the unique spirit of Canadian soccer. A night when snow didn’t stop the game — it made it legendary.
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