BEARS CLOSE TO THEIR THIRD WIN, BUT FINAL PERIOD COMEBACK FALLS SHORT IN 4-3 LOSS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — A missed opportunity here this afternoon cost the Bears big time.

Tied 1-1 after two periods with the Innisfil Spartans, Muskoka’s third PJHL win was within their grasp.

And after a 10-2 home loss last night to 18-0 Alliston, the local Jr. C team had a chance going into the final period to significantly improve its miserable 2-15 fortunes.

Kaidan Szabo grabs the puck off the draw this afternoon as the Bears came close to their third win before falling in the third to Innisfil 4-3. Photos Mark Clairmont

Down 1-0 on Dunnolan Caruso’s first of two goals in the opening 20 minutes, the Bears evened the score in the second on the first of Jacob Budney’s two matinee goals.

Going into the final stanza tied, both teams were equal in shots with 20 shots each.

But the Muskokans let Innisfil — who beat them in an earlier season shoot-out — off the hook when Spartan Jacob Jackson potted his first of two for the day at 2:13 of the third.

Muskoka thought it could match goals again with another evener.

But Jackson netted one more 1:23 later for a 3-1 lead.

And when Caruso notched his second to give Alliston a 4-1 lead it looked like lights out for the home team.

But Budney gave the Bears hope at 15:07 and Parker McAdams made it exciting with two minutes to go before a 4-3 final score.

Goalie Aiden Lindsay got the win, but the Bears made it close with a couple of goals in the third by Jacob Budney and Parker McAdams.

Total shots were close at 30-27 for the visitors who scored on three of six power play chance. The Bears were 0-4 with the extra man.

Gabriel Donoghue took the loss and Aidan Lindsay the win.

However as an example of how far the Bears have fallen, they let a whole shift go before a whistle with only four players on the ice instead of the five they were allowed.

So it’s not only on ice, but off ice problems that continue to plague the rookie team.

Innisfil is now 8-14, the Bears 2-16.

Attendance was 391.

Alliston had eight penalties including a head contact misconduct by Connor Whitaker. (The Bears had a similar one last night.) Muskoka was called for 10 infractions including a bench minor at the end of the game.

This afternoon’s matinee at the MLCC was one the Bears’ closest games of late against a mid-level division team from Innisfil.

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