Canada vs. Italy Men’s Water Polo

ORADEA, Romania, March 5. CANADA came short of a victory today at the Men's Water Polo Olympic Qualifier in Romania. Game three of the preliminary round ended with a 7-7 tie against Italy.

Canada exploded right off the bat with Kevin Graham winning the swim ball and Nathaniel Miller quickly passing one by the Italian goaltender. The trend of the game is quickly set as Italy earns exclusion. Graham's aggressive breakaway attack puts a second goal pass Italy, 2-0 for Canada. Italy immediately responds with two goals from the vastly experienced Calcaterra.

Canada turns the heat on in the second period dominating the Italians. Goaltender Robin Randall protects his territory with key saves as Aaron Feltham and Nathaniel Miller drives two additional shots passed the Italian goaltender. Miller was pulled from the playing field due to a cut. Canada led the game 4-2 at half time.

In third, Italy pulled out all the stops to try to move ahead of the Canadians, but the Canucks had a solid defensive ready to block those attempts. Postiglione broke an Italian drought that lasted more than 17 minutes of play. The period ended with a 5-3 lead for Canada.

The excitement picked up in the fourth quarter as Italy pressed hard on Canada. The Canadians received five exclusions and faced a penalty shot. Canada managed to successfully kill the first two exclusions but the Italians added two points to the board gaining up on Canada.

With two minutes left in the game, the drama began. Four back-to-back goals were produced in a period of 73 seconds. Canada's Thomas Marks fired one in while Italy's Felugo sent one in off the right post from the top on action seconds after. Nathaniel Miller, who was injured in the second quarter and most of the third, snapped in a backhand from centre forward at 1:16 for a 7-6 lead. Felugo leveled the game with 46 seconds on the clock.

"A victory would have been extraordinary for us but we proved to ourselves that we can bring on a tough fight," said Team Captain, Thomas Marks. "We will go back and focus on the our up coming game."

Special thanks to Swimming Canada for contributing this report.

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