ONTARIO FURY MISS CHANCES IN MINI-GAME, ELIMINATED BY SOCKERS

The Ontario Fury, Driven by Mark Christopher Chevrolet, were eliminated from the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night in a deciding 15-minute mini-game, as the Sockers scored nine seconds into the game, and made that goal hold up for a 1-0 Game 3 victory and a 2-1 series win.

Ontario forced the extra session by beating San Diego 8-4 in Game 2 of the series. The Fury ran out to a 3-0 first quarter lead and never trailed, leading 5-4 after three quarters. Ontario scored three times – twice into the vacated net – for an 8-4 victory to force Game 3.

After a 15-minute intermission, the Sockers struck quickly. Luan Oliveira got a pass in the center of the field from Brian Farber and he slotted it into the net past goalkeeper Joey Kapinos for what turned out to be the game’s only goal. But the Fury had their chances – including one that appeared to tie the game. A shot by Jiho Lee bounced off the boards and off of Sockers’ goaltender Chris Toth,, who reached for the ball and pushed it toward the goal line. The ball bounced toward the back of the net, but did not go in. Game officials confirmed after the game that the entirety of the ball did not cross the line according to the league-assigned goal judge, preserving the 1-0 game.

In the first game of the evening, Chico Francisco Cordeiro and Leonardo de Oliveira each scored two goals for the Fury, as the Ontario defense worked to shut down the Sockers’ offense, blocking 13 San Diego shots. And when shots did get through, Joey Kapinos was there to stop them, as he made 17 saves for the Fury. Max Touloute had two goals and an assist for San Diego.

With the series win, San Diego advances to take on the Soles de Sonora in the Western Conference Final. Game 1 of the series will be Sunday in San Diego, with Game 2, and a potential mini-game to be played in Sonora on March 25.