Frozen Madness as Atlético Ottawa Win Blizzard Final

A Final Like No Other

Atlético Ottawa became Canadian Premier League champions in one of the wildest football matches ever played. The capital side defeated Cavalry FC 2-1 after extra time in a snowstorm that looked more like an ice festival than a football final.

The temperature dropped to minus eight degrees and snow fell so heavily that the game had to be stopped every fifteen minutes to clear the lines. Goalkeepers even used shovels to mark their penalty boxes. The atmosphere turned surreal as the crowd watched the players fight through the storm.

The First Goal in the Cold

Cavalry FC struck first in the 33rd minute when Fraser Aird calmly scored from the penalty spot while wearing short sleeves. He celebrated with a snowy knee slide that summed up the crazy conditions. The visitors looked more comfortable at first, but the lead did not last long.

The “Icicle Kick” That Changed Everything

Only seven minutes later, David Rodríguez scored one of the greatest goals in CPL history. The Mexican midfielder flew into the air for a bicycle kick that hit the underside of the bar and went in. Fans and media quickly called it the “icicle kick.” It was a stunning equalizer that lifted Ottawa’s spirits and turned the game around.

Extra Time and a Hero in the Snow

After ninety minutes, the snow became so thick that officials delayed extra time for an hour to plow the pitch. When play resumed, Rodríguez was again the hero. In the 107th minute, he chipped the ball calmly over goalkeeper Marco Carducci to make it 2-1. The stadium erupted as Ottawa sealed their first league title.

Reactions After the Match

“I saw it was snowing and thought it was going to be a good day,” Rodríguez said with a smile. Cavalry veteran Sergio Camargo admitted he had never seen anything like it, saying the snow made it almost impossible to dribble. Both sides agreed it was a final that would never be forgotten.

Founded in 2020 as a franchise of Atlético Madrid, Atlético Ottawa have now made history with a championship won in the middle of a blizzard.