There is unfinished business for Justin Boyd and the Canadian water polo team

MARKHAM, Ont. - Justin Boyd and his teammates won’t have long to dwell on and analyze the moments that went wrong for them in Monday's 9-8 heartbreaking loss against the United States.

Right now, Boyd says, the immediate focus for the Canadian men's water polo team is on claiming the bronze medal Wednesday night.

“We're upset. Our goal was to get into the Olympics and get the gold medal. So, it’s a bit of step back, “ he said. “Tomorrow (Wednesday) we’re obviously not giving up and we’re going to get that bronze.”

The semifinal loss to the Americans in front of a boisterous means that qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics just got harder for the Canadians. They'll get two more shots at a ticket to Rio - two spots are available at the upcoming world championship in Kazan, Russia; and if that fails, three teams will qualify from a tournament in Italy next April. Team Canada is used to this predicament: it’s how they qualified for Beijing and they were in the same position for London.

Winning away from home is not an easy task. Boyd couldn’t compare Monday's loss with other defeats against the U.S., but instead, looked forward and remained upbeat about the potential to be in Rio next summer. 

For Boyd, who was born in Amherst, N.S., started his water polo career just outside of Montreal in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and now trains in Calgary, it has been a prolific Pan Am Games. He scored 14 goals in four games, including a game-high five goals against Venezula and Mexico. Against the United States he scored two goals and was instrumental in Canada’s comeback that fell one goal short in the dying moments of the semifinal.

“All of us had been working for four years toward this moment. I don’t think there’s one guy on this roster that didn’t give everything he had for this tournament. That’s what I did,” he said. “Try to play my best water polo possible. Unfortunately we came up short. We’re going to bounce back.”

Brian Parillo, an assistant coach with the Canadian team, has seen Boyd grow into a dangerous offensive player. Parillo has been coaching Boyd since he was 12 years old and said, although he was a late bloomer, he set himself apart through his competitiveness, his and his drive.

“His character is his biggest asset. His determination and will to train is higher than anyone I’ve met before," Parillo said. “As for the Pan Ams, he started off a bench player and did what was asked of him and did what was best for the team.”

Parillo also pointed to Boyd's leadership qualities, saying he's a player that picks up his teammates when things aren't going well, and discusses strategy with the coaching staff.

“He’sa  great leader,” Parillo said. “The potential where he can go from here is limitless. The future of the team will go as he goes.”