With the Premier Development League’s Heartland Division on the line, the Des Moines Menace received a goal on the verge of full time.
Des Moines, into the playoffs for the third straight year for the first time since 2001-2003, is staring squarely at the third consecutive PDL Heartland Division title with a 1-1 tie against the Thunder Bay Chill in front of 3,127 fans Saturday night at Valley Stadium.
Needing at least a point to stay in the driver’s seat, the Menace received just that with a game-tying goal in the 90th minute. After allowing a 73rd-minute goal to arch-rival Thunder Bay, Des Moines drew through Tommy Barlow poking home a ball that was knocked around the penalty area by multiple Menace players.
Des Moines had Thunder Bay to thank earlier in the week for the playoff spot. After a 1-2 week on the road, the Menace were thrown back into the thick of the playoff race after running away early with the Heartland Division. The Menace were out to an 8-0-1 record before dropping a Tuesday fixture against the Chicago Fire PDL and a Friday night game in Kokomo. Des Moines got its retribution Saturday night with a win in Indiana against the same Kokomo team.
Thunder Bay, on a five-game, seven-day, 2,284 mile road swing, put the Menace through the playoffs Thursday with a 4-1 win over Chicago. The Chill finished the trip undefeated, going 3-0-2 in the five games and setting itself up for a spot in the playoffs.
The Chill needs just two points from the next two games. The St. Louis Lions heads to Ontario for one game Tuesday before the Kokomo Mantis swarm Thunder Bay the next evening. Chicago sits in second place with 26 points, but wrapped up their season tonight with a 1-0 win over Kokomo.
The chance to wrap up the title comes next Saturday, when the Menace host the Lions in the regular-season finale. The Menace may be waiting on pins and needles for something bigger though.
The opportunity to host the Central Conference playoffs will come down to the final week. As of Saturday night, the Michigan Bucks are in the best spot. The Bucks and K-W United (Kitchner-Waterloo, Ont., Canada) are tied with 28 points in 12 games, but Michigan has the edge on goal differential. The Menace, at 29 points in 13 games, needs the team to lose or tie at least one game in order to have the chance to host.
Michigan has a game Tuesday and one Saturday, while K-W United has a game on each of the next two Sundays.
Before Des Moines’ season finale, the Menace host Toledo United on Friday on the fan appreciation weekend. Fireworks are being promoted, whether that is just off the field, though, only time will tell. Game time for both games is at 7:30 p.m.
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