It’s a rematch that could offer a lot of satisfaction, nevermind the cup attached to it.
If the Burnaby District Metro under-13 boys United can knock off the Surrey Selects on Saturday, 10 a.m. at Aldergrove Athletic Park, they not only capture a Coastal A Cup title, but the team of 17 earn a ticket to the provincial championships in July.
It would go a long way towards rounding out a pretty great year.
United earned its berth into the Coastal championship final by blanking the North Van Selects 3-0 last week, in a game that was a lot tough than the score indicated. The two teams were held goalless through regulation and it all came down to extra time, where Burnaby slotted home not one, not two, but three goals.
“It was an equal game and really could have gone either way,” remarked Burnaby coach Matt Manfredi. “We were one-two in our division and just couldn’t put anything past the netminders until the first (10-minute) extra session.”
That is when Jaden Edwards put one on the board, with barely a minute left in the first extra frame. In the second period, Emmanuel Mathe ripped in a pair in a span of five minutes to lock it down.
Playing huge roles in a complete team effort were captain Asher Herbert and goaltender Mattias Ferraro, while Maxim Krutov proved to be a rock alongside Edwards.
“From the beginning of the year to the end of the season we knew we had a good team,” said Manfredi. “Our biggest challenge was getting past Port Moody (in league playoffs) and North Van.”
Now they draw Surrey in the final, the same team that edged them in penalty kicks in the league championship.
“They have good players and a very big goalkeeper that is very strong in goal,” said Manfredi. “It won’t be an easy match for either team. It will be a great cup game for all players.”
