Physical Game in Medicine Hat

From the opening kickoff it was clear, there was no love lost between the two teams. Fast play and hard tackles were present from start to finish. Early in the match the Kodiaks were pressing. Great first touch and creativity from the strikers opened up just enough space to squeeze off some shots. Unable to clear the ball the Rattlers committed a foul in the penalty box. Kodiak forward Peter Ntignee stepped up and delivered a strike in the bottom of the net. This goal seemed to ramp up the physical play with challenges becoming more dangerous. Yellow cards were issued to Jimmy Bukuru and Peter Ntignee of the Kodiaks. Coming back the other way, Rodrigo Tavares headed in a Jared Ursulan cross to even the score at one. The Rattlers then proceeded to take two yellow cards right before the half. In the Second Half, Kodiak Keaton Craig, committed two yellow card fouls and was ejected from the game. Down to ten men, the Kodiaks still pressed as best they could while outmanned. In the 90^th minute the Rattlers Mark Elson and Kodiaks Jimmy Bukuru were issued simultaneous yellow cards. This was Jimmy's second yellow and was ejected, leaving the Kodiaks with nine men in injury time. In the 93^rd minute a foul was committed on the edge of the Kodiaks penalty box. The Rattlers took advantage with another Rodrigo Tavares header clinching the close win for the Rattlers. At the final whistle, another yellow card was issued to a Kodiak player for dissent of an official. A very physical game played by both teams saw in excess of thirty fouls.