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Perhaps the HFX Wanderers have found their groove heading into their next Canadian championship test.

The Wanderers are coming off a spirited 2-1 home victory over Pacific FC in a Canadian Premier League clash Saturday afternoon. The Wanderers dominated the second half, scoring each of their goals in the final 45.

With a bit of momentum on their side, the Wanderers switch their focus to the second round of the Canadian championship Wednesday evening (6:15 p.m. AT) against Valour FC at the Wanderers Grounds.

“We’re getting to know each other better,” Wanderers striker Akeem Garcia said of his team’s developing chemistry.

“The players are understanding their roles on functions. There had been some miscommunication but I think we’re sorting it out. Everyone is gelling and once we get to that point, we will win more games.

“I’m confident in our team. We hope this gives us momentum.”

The Canadian championship is a unique feature on the Canadian Premier League calendar. It’s a national tournament that stretches from May to September and includes 13 clubs from five separate leagues, including the CPL, fighting for a berth in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League.

The Wanderers advanced to the second round after defeating League1 Ontario champion Vaughan Azzurri in the home-and-home opening stage. The teams finished 3-3 on aggregate score but the Wanderers moved on based on the three away goals they scored in Vaughan, Ont.

The Wanderers (2-3-1 in the CPL) and Valour (3-3-0) have faced each other in league play. The Winnipeg-based club pulled out a 1-0 home victory on May 11 at Investors Group Field.

“Wednesday is another game we need to win,” said Garcia, who scored in the win against Pacific. He and Luis Alberto Perea — who had the other goal on Saturday — share the team scoring lead with two goals apiece.

“We want to reach as far as we can in CONCACAF.

“(Valour has) some really good players and some really good ball handlers. We just have to try and shut them down. If we play like we want to play — the Halifax way — things will be good.

“We are going to win and that’s it.”

The Wanderers only have four days to recover between matches. Gracia, for one, is nursing a sore hamstring and was sporting a large pack of ice on the back of his leg after Saturday’s match.

Playing three games in a span of a week (the Wanderers played to a 1-1 draw with York9 FC last Wednesday in Halifax) could test the team’s depth. But Perea has faith in the Wanderers’ substitutes.

“Sure, we will be tired but we have a lot of guys who can sub in and play good as well,” said the Colombian striker from Medellin.

“We just have to establish our game. We haven’t done that well enough. We have to trust our game and trust the process.”

They are unbeaten at the Wanderers Grounds (2-0-1) and with Perea in the lineup. He has appeared in three games, all at home.

“We haven’t lost at home so that’s pretty special,” said the 32-year-old Perea, who has played in leagues in Central and South America and a season (2012) in the MLS with FC Dallas player.

“It’s been good to see a lot of fans come here to support us. That helps with the experience and helps with our chemistry on the field.

“We’re starting to get that confidence that we need. Now that we got that win (on Saturday), we have a pretty good chance to win our next game as well if we can just go with that confidence.”

The second leg is Wednesday, June 12 in Winnipeg.

Valour is coming off a 1-0 victory at FC Edmonton on Sunday. Ali Musse scored in the 80th minute.

The winner of this round advances to face the Ottawa Fury of the USL Championship.