FURY WIN THIRD STRAIGHT, KNOCK OUT EXPRESS

by Bill Norris

The Ontario Fury, Driven by Mark Christopher Chevrolet, got points from 12 of its 15 players as they moved back into the playoff race with a 15-5 victory over the Turlock Express before a season-high 5,117 at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

“Chico” Francisco Cordiero scored four goals and the Fury got four points apiece from Juan Carlos Gonzalez (two goals, two assists) and Nick Perera (one goal, three assists) as the Ontario Fury moved within one game of the Tacoma Stars for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.

Saturday night’s result was the largest goal output of the season for the Fury, and saw two players notch their first goals of the season. Rookie Douglas Lima had his first two goals as a professional and defender Jayme Kapinos, who has blocked 17 shots this season, had his first goal as well.

Ontario (7-7) moved a game back in the standings of the Tacoma Stars (9-7), which lost its fourth game in a row Saturday night, falling 4-3 to the Dallas Sidekicks. The two teams are tied in the loss column, with Ontario having played two fewer games.

Turlock opened the scoring in the game, as Adrian Pulido scored the opening goal after stealing a pass at midfielder and shooting it past Joey Kapinos. But the Fury answered 43 seconds later on a goal from Juan Carlos Gonzalez, then scored two more in quick succession to take a 3-1 lead after a quarter.

Goaltender Joey Kapinos had 11 saves in three quarters of play to get the win for Ontario. The Fury took 31 shots on goal in the game, as Turlock’s Christopher Welch got the loss, giving up seven first half goals with six saves. Edgar Martinez made 10 saves in relief, giving up the final eight goals.

The Fury will be back on the field Thursday night, as they will take on the Southwest Division leading Soles de Sonora at 7 p.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena.