September 22, 2024

OTTERS KEEP BEARS WINLESS, 4-2, AS HUNTSVILLE GETS ITS FIRST PJHL VICTORY

BRACEBRIDGE — It was a win the Bears and Otters desperately wanted after an uneven 0-3 start to the Provincial Junior Hockey League season.

A penalty shot goal by Muskoka’s Jacob Budney at 8:05 of the second period — which left the score tied at 2-2 for almost the next half of the game — looked promising for the home team.

But it was their last goal.

A pair of late Huntsville goals in the third by Nicholas Cooper at 16:41 and Aidan Hamelin into an empty net at 19:03 gave the visitors the all-important first win each sought.

Cooper broke the tie in turnover as the Bears tried to break out of the own zone. A play some saw coming.

The Otters are now 1-3; the Bears 0-4.

**Muskoka’s Blake Wilms tries to stuff a rebound past Darian Willis in the first period of a close game at the MLCC before another large crowd of 842. Photos Mark Clairmont**

Huntsville’s Sam Litt opening the scoring at 7:26 of the first with Tyson Jennings tying it at 10:30. Braxton Bullen replied for the Otters lead, before Budney’s penalty shot beat Darian Willis who got the win.

The Bears outshot their North Carruthers Division opponent 37-23, with Muskoka goalie Connor Sampson faring better than the 11-0 loss last weekend to Alliston he and net-minding partner Campbell McDiarmid suffered.

Sampson was also good stopping a breakaway, but gave up a goal from the point.

The Bears had previously lost Friday night in Midland, 4-3.

It was a close game the crowd of 842 enjoyed. Including a large contingent from Huntsville who travelled south to see their team — and the new Muskoka Lumber King Community Centre. Their team responded waving their sticks in their air to their fans in appreciation after the game when skating off the ice.

The game was the revival of an old junior rivalry between the fierce neighbouring hockey towns.

The Bears are in Orillia next Saturday night to face the Terriers and home to Stayner Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.