A Championship Match Frozen in Time
In one of the most unforgettable finals in Canadian Premier League (CPL) history, Atlético Ottawa clinched the 2025 North Star Cup in dramatic fashion on Sunday, defeating defending champions Cavalry FC 2–1 in extra time at TD Place. What was expected to be a standard 90-minute matchup stretched into a four-hour endurance test as both clubs battled not only each other but also a relentless Ottawa snowstorm that transformed the pitch into a winter battleground.
The swirling conditions, which quickly turned routine gameplay into a treacherous obstacle course, forced players, officials, and even snowplows into action. By the end of the night, the story was no longer simply about who lifted the trophy—it was about the shared struggle, the spectacle of perseverance, and the surreal scenes that unfolded under a blanket of heavy snow.
Weather Takes Centre Stage
Environment Canada Issues Warning as Conditions Deteriorate
Sunday’s championship kicked off under a snowfall warning from Environment Canada, which predicted 10 to 20 centimetres of accumulation throughout the day. Flurries began early in the morning and intensified steadily, ensuring the match would be played under some of the most severe conditions the league has ever seen.
By the time the first whistle sounded, the pitch had already transformed from green to white, and visibility was compromised enough to warrant the use of a high-visibility orange match ball. Within minutes, the game’s rhythm was disrupted as players attempted to dribble, pass, and run through increasingly ankle-deep snow.
Players, Officials, and Plows Join Forces
In the first half, the spectacle became almost comical as players struggled to maintain their footing. Even the simplest plays required exaggerated physical effort. The ball frequently stalled mid-roll, and snowbanks formed along the touchlines.
At one point, Atlético Ottawa goalkeeper Nathan Ingham grabbed a nearby snow shovel during a stoppage and assisted match officials with clearing the pitch lines—an image that quickly went viral among fans watching from home. It was a rare moment that captured the spirit of the match: improvisation, teamwork, and determination to keep the game moving despite the chaos.
First-Half Fireworks Amid the Flurries
Cavalry Strikes First Through Aird
Despite the elements, the opening 45 minutes delivered more action than anyone could have anticipated. Calgary struck first in the 33rd minute when defender Fraser Aird calmly converted a penalty kick, putting Cavalry ahead 1–0. As Aird and his teammates celebrated, they were met with a barrage of snowballs tossed from enthusiastic Atlético supporters, who were clearly determined to enjoy the moment despite the freezing temperatures.
Ottawa Responds With an Instant Classic
Just six minutes later, in conditions that made even tracking the ball difficult, Ottawa midfielder Gabriel Antonaro lofted a high, looping pass into the penalty area. The ball hung in the air amid swirling snow, evading both defenders and attackers until forward David Rodríguez threw himself into a stunning bicycle-kick attempt. His strike rang off the underside of the crossbar and bounced down over the line, tying the game 1–1 in spectacular fashion.
For Rodríguez—a Mexican national who first experienced snow only months earlier—the moment was surreal. “I’m never going to forget this night,” he later said, a statement that resonated far beyond his personal journey.
Second Half Slows to a Crawl
Snow Intensifies and Opportunities Diminish
As snowfall thickened, conditions worsened dramatically. The second half resembled a survival exercise more than a championship match. Players slipped frequently and struggled to generate traction, resulting in fewer scoring chances and slower transitions.
Both teams tried to adapt with long balls over the top and simplified tactics, but even these approaches were hindered by unpredictable ball movement. Passes died in the snow or skidded off in unexpected directions, and both goalkeepers faced challenges reading shots through the storm.
Heroic Defensive Play Keeps Ottawa Alive
The most crucial moment of the half came from Atlético Ottawa substitute midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko. With just over ten minutes remaining in regulation, Sissoko made a desperate, sliding goal-line clearance to deny what appeared to be a near-certain Cavalry winner. His intervention preserved the 1–1 scoreline and sent the match into a tense final stretch.
A Sixty-Minute Snowplow Delay
Clearing the Field for Extra Time
By full time, the pitch was no longer playable. Snow had accumulated so heavily that officials were forced to halt proceedings for roughly an hour while snowplows circled the field in repeated passes. Grounds crews worked tirelessly to clear enough space for extra time, transforming the surface from a deep-white blanket back into a somewhat visible soccer pitch.
The delay was long enough for players to cool down—and then warm back up—multiple times, creating an unusual physical test. When extra time finally began, the contrast in play was striking. With improved footing, both teams immediately returned to a more fluid and aggressive tempo.
Extra Time: Rodríguez Becomes the Hero
Fast Break Leads to Championship-Winning Goal
In the 106th minute, Ottawa struck the decisive blow. Capitalizing on a breakaway opportunity, Rodríguez raced past defender Fraser Aird and chipped Cavalry goalkeeper Marco Carducci with remarkable composure. The finish gave him his second goal of the match and sent the Ottawa crowd into a frenzy despite the cold.
The goal showcased not just technical skill but the stamina and mental resilience needed to seize such a moment after nearly four hours of stop-and-start gameplay in punishing weather.
Cavalry’s Final Push Falls Short
Cavalry FC pressed forward desperately in the match’s dying minutes, pushing bodies into the box and forcing Ottawa’s defenders into frantic clearances. But Atlético, buoyed by the home crowd and galvanized by Rodríguez’s brace, held firm. When the final whistle blew, players collapsed into the snow as fans erupted around them.
Ottawa’s First Title and a Ticket to Champions Cup
Celebrating a Night for the History Books
For Atlético Ottawa, the victory marked not only a memorable championship win but also a symbolic triumph over adversity. Head coach Diego Mejía’s post-match comment summed up the team’s mindset perfectly: “Even if we had played in water, in a pool, we’d win the match.”
The celebration extended long past the final whistle, as players saluted the fans who endured hours of snow, cold, and delays. Rodríguez, the clear hero of the night, expressed deep gratitude: “I just want to thank all the people that showed up tonight.”
Looking Ahead to Continental Competition
As newly crowned CPL champions, Atlético Ottawa will represent Canada in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they will face top clubs from across North and Central America and the Caribbean. Their performance in Sunday’s final—defined by grit, creativity, and teamwork—suggests they will approach the continental stage with confidence.
A Frozen Final That Will Live Long in CPL Lore
The 2025 Canadian Premier League final will be remembered not only for its thrilling goals and dramatic finish but also for the sheer spectacle of playing elite soccer amid one of the season’s fiercest snowstorms. From shovels on the pitch to plows circling the field, from slipping players to soaring goals, the evening offered a rare blend of chaos and beauty.
For fans, players, and officials alike, it was a snowy showdown unlike any other—one that will be talked about for years as one of the most remarkable matches ever played in Canadian soccer.
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