Sunday July 1, 2012
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – After sweeping the St. Louis Lions in Thunder Bay by identical scores of 3-0 in early June, the Thunder Bay Chill needed a win last night in St. Louis in order to clinch their sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs. The Chill did just that with a 1-0 win in 100 degree heat at Lindenwood University as Sullivan Silva's late goal earned his side victory. The players on the field were definitely affected by the heat.
“We started out much slower than we wanted” said head coach Tony Colistro. “But it was very hot out there and the hear wears the players down.”
The stats told the story with Thunder Bay only managing seven shots and the Lions three in the contest. Thunder Bay did have some great opportunities to score though. In the first half Silva and Dominic Roberts teamed up for some great passing that left Roberts with a great chance with the six-yard box. The shot beat the goalkeeper but it went wide of the net. In the second half, Silva again teamed up with Abraham Villon with the same type of give and go passing that left Silva with an open side from close range but difficult angle. Again the ball went just wide.
As the temperature cooled a few degrees during the last 15 minutes of the game, the Chill turned on the heat on the Lions. Silva finally found a way to get past the Lions defenders and finish for his eighth goal of the season in the 90th minute to give the Chill the win and a record of 10-1-0 for the season. The win clinched the playoff spot, and put the Chill in position to clinch their fifth Heartland Division title since 2007 with a draw in Sunday's contest. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, with temperatures expected to be in the 100 degree range again.
The Chill will also play an exhibition game on Tuesday night in Springfield, Mo. against the Springfield Demize. The Chill and Demize do not meet in regular season play this year.
“The exhibition game was organized to try and keep the players in game shape with four days off in between the St. Louis and Des Moines games," said Colistro.
The Chill travel to Des Moines next weekend for two games against the Menace on July 6th and 7th.