Regular season USRBL champion Flying Sparrows cap off their dream season with a 6-4 victory over 2013 champion SLP Orioles, winning their first Cannon Cup.

The Sparrows finished the regular season with a stellar 9-1 record, and rolled into the playoff as one of the favorites. Over the course of the season the Sparrows of Summer were able to beat the best the USRBL had to offer, including defending Cannon Cup champion Minnehaha Maulers, Spanky’s United, Sirius BC, and arch rivals the Mississippi MoJo, as well as a regular season victory over the St. Louis Park Orioles. While favored going into the playoffs, the Sparrows found out quickly other teams were going to bring there A game during the postseason. The Sparrows narrowly defeated 8th seeded Dynamo Washburn 4-3 in a tightly contested quarterfinal. They then faced a surging Spanky’s United team, who had just knocked off the defending champs in convincing 10-4 fashion. With keeper Charlie Lindgren looking almost unstoppable, Spanky’s appeared a serious obstacle for the Sparrows. However, John Arundel’s hat trick led the Sparrows to a 7-4 victory and their first Cannon Cup final appearance.

The Orioles, playing a consistent, strong team game all season, vanquished Sirius BC in the quarterfinals. They then knocked off the Mississippi MoJo in the semi-finals, who were vulnerable without league scoring champion Mike Hosfield. The Orioles had won the championship in 2013 with nearly the same roster, including core stars BJ Bayers, Dave Martinson and Andy Sackrison. They were confident they could regain the Cannon Cup, hoping to make it two championships in three seasons.

In the 2015 Cannon Cup Final the Sparrows drew first blood with John Arundel scoring only a minute into the game. Jon Keseley then added another quick strike to give the Sparrows a stunning 2-0 lead minutes into the match. The Orioles managed to settle down, and tied up the game 2-2 including a beautiful goal by Dave Martinson. The Sparrows retook the lead on goals by Jesse Perron and a second from Keseley, giving them a 4-2 edge at half.

The feisty Orioles refused to give in, scoring early in the second to cut the lead to 4-3, and then tying the contest 4-4. Both teams tightened on defense, neither side wanting to give up the next tally. A defensive battle ensued, with blocked shots and full effort on display at both ends of the rink. Finally, Nate Condon of the Sparrows broke the stalemate with a goal from the right faceoff circle. Keseley then added another; his third for the hat trick and for the Sparrows to take a two goal lead into the final minutes. The Orioles attacked hard, but goalie, Erik Kraska, was sharp in the nets keeping Bayers and the boys from capitalizing. The Sparrows withstood the pressure, and when the clock ran out they had earned their first Cannon Cup.

Both teams must be commended for a highly skilled, competitive game with great sportsmanship. This excellent championship match was symbolic of the entire rink bandy league this season.

While the Sparrows captured their first Cannon Cup in 2015, the foundation for this championship was laid years ago by player/manager John Arundel. After the break up of the Gustie Bandyt dynasty (5 consecutive Cannon Cups from 2005 – 2009) Arundel and Keseley formed the Flying Sparrows, with Jeff Arundel working behind the scenes. Many agree that the turning point for this franchise as the signings of Chase Nystedt, Jesse Perron, and Lucas Whelan. This core group got better and better every season, while also adding key pieces in Greg Olson, Adam Meyer, and Nate Condon along the way.

It truly was a dream season for the Sparrows, which couldn’t have ended in a more storybook fashion. From Jeff Arundel’s early season scoring binge, to a last minute comeback tie with Sirius BC, through an early carousel of goalies while Erik Kraska rehabbed from injury, this absolutely was a season of destiny for the Sparrows of Summer. Congratulations to the Flying Sparrows, as well as the rest of the teams in the USRBL for another spectacular season!

2015 Cannon Cup Champions – Flying Sparrows Roster

Erik Kraska, John Arundel, Nate Condon, Jon Keseley, Greg Olson, Jesse Perron, Chase Nystedt, Jeff Arundel, Lucas Whelan, Adam Meyer

John Arundel Playoff MVP

For his stellar play in all three playoff games, including a three-goal semifinal and a goal in the Championship game one minute in, John Arundel was voted the 2015 Bill Wood Playoff MVP. Arundel said it was very exciting to have formed a new team from the ground up several years ago, and going all the way from the bottom of the standings to the top with basically the same group of guys. He also said it was quite satisfying watching many of his new recruits develop into top bandy players, as well as playing and winning another championship with his uncle; bandy legend Jeff Arundel.