News

The Smiths Falls Bears kicked off a busy weekend with an impressive 2-0 win over the Ottawa Jr. Senators. The CCHL standings are very close, so close that the Bears have beaten the first place team in consecutive Fridays at the Bears Den.

Corey Caruso scored the icebreaker at 9:46 of the opening period. Linemates Jesse Blais & Michael McKenney assisted on the Hamilton native's 11th  goal of the season. The assist marked the 1st point for Blais since he was acquired from Pembroke in a trade. The Bears outshot the Jr. Senators 15-8 for the opening 20 minutes of play.

The 2nd period saw the intensity & emotion amped up to playoff levels as the game settled into a defensive, tight checking affair. The shots were 9-4 in favour of Ottawa as the animosity between the teams continued to grow.

The 3rd period opened up as both teams knew the next goal would be crucial to the outcome of the game. Both teams had glorious chances but Ian Andriano & Evan DeBrouwer were equal to the task. Ottawa applied pressure & pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie the game but Smiths Falls native Michael McKenney was able to steal a puck in the Bears own zone & race down the ice. He initially hit the side of the net but followed it up & scored into the empty net to put the game away. McKenney's 14th goal of the year was scored at 19:34 with Caruso & Chris MacMillan drawing the assists. All that was left was to kill the final 26 seconds & preserve DeBrouwer's 5th shutout of the year. The shots were even at 15 for the final 20 minutes of play.

Bear Facts

Powerplays

Bears 0-4    Ottawa 0-5

Penalty Totals

Bears 14 minutes on 7 infractions    Ottawa 22 minutes on 7 infractions

Shots

Bears 34    Ottawa 32

Game Length

2:13

Attendance

505

3 Stars

1st Star Evan DeBrouwer (Bears)

2nd Star Ian Andriano (Ottawa)

3rd Star Tyler Creagh (Bears)

Next Game

The Bears next game is Saturday January 30 at 7:45 vs Gloucester Rangers at the Bears Den as part of the DoefStrong Showcase. All 12 team will play in Smiths Falls on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Foote