Canada. Trying to run professional league was very difficult task – one new team was included: Victoria Vistas (British Columbia), but meantime the Calgary’s club expired. A new one was formed on its ashes – Calgary Strikers – only to disappear after the end of the season. In any case 10 teams participated this season, divided into 2 ‘divisions’ – West and East – both of 5 teams. Distances complicated the championship formula, like in every North American sport: every team played 4 times against the teams in its division, but only twice – once at home and once away – against the teams in the other division. Many players played formerly in NASL and various North American leagues, both outdoors and indoors, but they mostly Canadian and American footballers. Foreigners were relatively few and, in sharp contrast to former NASL, not famous players.
Justin Fashanu (Edmonton Brickmen) was the only internationally recognized name in the league.
After playing a total of ‘regular season’ games, the top 2 teams from each division went directly to the ½ finals and the next 2 teams in each division played 1/4 finals of 2 legs. Then ½ final and the winners played the championship final. Just a taste of the Canadian teams:
North York Rockets (Ontario) – 3rd in the East Division with 33 points and eliminated in the ¼ finals by Hamilton Steelers 1-1 and 0-1.
Ottawa Intrepid (Ontario) – 4th in East Division with 22 points.
Eventually, Vancouver 86ers (British Columbia) and Hamilton Steelers (Ontario) reached the final. Vancouver was so far formidable – they had the best record in the ‘regular’ phase of the season, finishing with most points in the whole league – 42 – and losing only 2 games. They also scored most goals – 65. In the ½ finals Vancouver eliminated Edmonton Brickmen (Alberta), which was 2nd with 21 points in the West Division, 5-3 and 4-0. Hamilton Steelers finished 2nd in the East Division with 37 points and eliminated North York Rockets in the ¼ finals. In the ½ finals they prevailed over their divisional champions Toronto Blizzard (Ontario) 1-1 and 2-1.
In the final Vancouver 86ers prevailed over Hamilton Steelers 3-2 and kept the title at the West coast.
Good season for Hamilton Steelers, but at the end they lost to classier opponent.
Safe to say Vancouver 86ers were the strongest and best run club in the country. They had excellent season, dominating from start to finish and achieving an all-time record in Canadian sports: 46 consecutive games without losing – no other professional club in any sport had such long unbeaten run.