News

The Bears are in the busiest part of their schedule as they will have played 10 games in 18 days after their Tuesday night encounter with the Kemptville 73s. A 5-2 win over Kemptville on the road gave the Bears an impressive 9-1 record over the last 18 days and first place overall in the CCHL standings.

Michael McKenney has been out of the lineup for all but one game after he sustained a lower body injury on October 2nd in Brockville. He introduced himself healthy as he opened the scoring at the 17:30 mark of the 1st period. The veteran's 6th goal of the season was assisted by linemates Ryan Gibson & Hunter Garlasco. The Bears were outshot 14-6 in the opening period but Brennan Kitchen was strong in the Smiths Falls net. The Bears were given 2 of the 3 minor penalties.

At 15:26 of the second period, Bears captain Jared Henry joined the rush and scored his 3rd of the year while the rookie tandem of Hill Academy alumni Alex DiCarlo & Marc Shannon earned the helpers. Kemptville cut the lead to 2-1 when Matt Tugnutt beat Kitchen while Kemptville was on the powerplay. Again Smiths Falls was outshot, this period by a 12-9 margin and each team was sent to the sin bin once.

Kemptville stormed out to start the 3rd period & tied the game just 35 seconds into the period as their captain Alex Row banged in a rebound. It was gut check time for a tired bunch from Smiths Falls as they had squandered a two goal lead on the road. The boys showed grit and composure as they regained their poise. They were rewarded for their effort as they scored 3 goals in a 2:59 span. The Bears  regained the lead at 14:40 on Tre Folkes 8th goal of the year. Cole Busschaert and Billy Petersen were in on the Bears third goal of the game. The Bears struck again 34 seconds later as veteran Nic Coates muscled his way to the net and beat Peter Brooks with a strong backhander. Garlasco & McKenney earned their 2nd points of the game with their assists on Coates 6th of the year. Kemptville gambled and pulled their goalie earlier than normal as they were down by 2 goals and on the powerplay. Folkes thwarted the strategy as he scored a shorthanded goal into the empty net at 17:39 to give the Bears a 5-2 lead. Busschaert set up Folkes for his 9th goal of the season and was credited with his 2nd assist of the night. Kemptville outshot Smiths Falls 16-12 in the 3rd period for a 42-27 advantage on the game but Kitchen was equal to the task. The Bears took two minor penalties in the final 20 minutes of play. The win moved the Bears one point ahead of Carleton Place for first overall in the CCHL overall standings.

Bear Facts

Powerplays    Bears 0-3    Kemptville 1-4

Penalty Totals    Bears 8 minutes on 4 infractions    Kemptville 6 minutes on 3 infractions

Shots    Bears 27    Kemptville 42

Game Length    1:59

Attendance 185

3 Stars

1st Star    Tre Folkes (Bears)

2nd Star    Alex Row (Kemptville)

3rd Star    Michael McKenney (Bears)

Next Game - The 4th annual Pink in the Rink is Friday night as the Pembroke Lumber Kings make their first visit to the Bears Den.