The opening game of the 2011 Football Canada Cup saw Nova Scotia play Ontario West in a windy game in Lethbridge, Alberta. Both teams went through an early ‘feeling out’ process in the opening frame with a back and forth defensive affair developing. The wind was a major factor early on in the game, with both quarterbacks and receivers misplaying many passes.

NOTE: Streaming available later today

The first touchdown of the game was scored by Ontario West when they converted a fumble recovery on a Nova Scotia punt return fumble. QB Will Finch marched the offense down the field and converted on a scramble run TD to put Ontario West up 7 to 0 with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter Nova Scotia looked to take advantage of a blocked punt recovered deep in Ontario West territory. A few plays later an interception in the end zone by Ontario West Jake Gatza (Burlington) nullified any score by Nova Scotia.

Later in the quarter Ontario West completed their second fake punt of the half on a nifty run by Morgan Lavoie (St. Catharines) for 37 yards. Ontario west settled for a Clark Green 21 yard field goal just before the half to give Ontario West to take a lead of 10 to 0.

The second half started the same way the first half did with a back and forth defensive battle. At 5:06 of the quarter, after a great punt by Green, the Ontario West defense stuffed the Nova Scotia offense on two succesive plays, forcing the Maritime team to give up a safety. Twelve to zero through the 3rd quarter.

The play that looked to seal the victory for Ontario West was a ‘scoop and score’ touchdown by LB David Peter Mainse. Mainse picked up a Cody Cluett (Nova Scotia QB) fumble and returned it 37 yards for the score putting Ontario West up 19 to 0 with 10 minutes remaining. The Ontario West offense capitalized on two late drives. Receivers Alex Frkovic and Jake Frimeth caught touchdowns; the first from Will Finch and the second from James Roberts. Ontario West won by a final of 33 to 0.

Nova Scotia defensive linemen Adam Melanson and Jacob Rigby played strong games. A’dre Fraser of Nova Scotia was injured early in the game.

Will Finch threw 21 passes for 13 completions for 187 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had 61 yards rushing. Jake Frimeth lead all receivers with 124 yards on 10 catches and one touchdown.

Saturday July 9[SUP]th[/SUP] 10:00am – Ontario West 33 Vs. Nova Scotia 0

	Ontario West	Nova Scotia
Halves	1[SUP]St[/SUP]	2[SUP]nd[/SUP]	Total	1[SUP]st[/SUP]	2[SUP]nd[/SUP]	Total
Score	10	23	33	0	0	0
First Downs		17		6
Rushing Yards		186		29
Passing Yards		215		83
Net Offense		401		112
Passes Made/Attempted		16/25		9/18
Interceptions Thrown		0		1
Fumbles/Lost		1/0		2/1
Punts Yards/Average		172/34.4		198/28.28
Penalties/Yards		11/90		2/11
Top Performers
Ontario West	Nova Scotia
Name and Number	Stats	Name and Number	Stats
1. Morgan Lavoie (24)	79 yards rushing	1. Cody Cluett (2)	67 yards passing
2. Will Finch (10)	187 yards passing / 61 yards rushing	2. Devon Adams (29)	16 yards rushing
3. Jake Frimeth (12)	124 yards receiving	3. Ryan Kubek (25)	12 yards rushing
4. Shaka Fonderson (28)	28 yards rushing	4. Brian Jones (18)	40 yards receiving
5. Connor Lanteigne (87)	43 yards rushing	5. Mark Gaudry (85)	39 yards receiving

Players of the Game:
Ontario West: Nova Scotia:
Offensive – Will Finch Offensive- Brain Jones
Defensive- Jayden Johnson Defensive- Keith Mangell