SCORING DROUGHT COSTS BEARS THIRD LOSS THIS WEEK AFTER 9-0 DEFEAT BY SISKINS AHEAD OF GAME WITH 16-0 HORNETS NEXT SATURDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — You know it’s going to be a long night when your opponent’s first two shots on net are goals.

Stayner Siskin Tait Lightheart potted the first just 35 seconds in to the game, beating Muskoka Bears goalie Gabriel Donohue.

Two hours later the testosterone-filled visitors left town with a 9-0 victory.

The Bears who have one goal in their last three games in a week (including a 4-0 loss in Huntsville Friday night) just can’t find the net with any consistency.

And it’s weighing on the unannounced crowd of a few hundred disheartened fans — one of their smallest of the season including some for whom it was their first and maybe last game they lamented Bruce Schulz of Gravenhurst and Lyle Longhurst of Bracebridge.

Bears goalie Gabriel Donoghue often found himself left alone in front of his net including on this shot in which he stopped Avery McNamara. Photos Mark Clairmont

At least Stayner was entertaining. They scored again in the first again at 4:04, 12:33 and 15:25 for a 4-0 opening period lead. The added two more in the second at 6:15 and 13:49 and three more in third 15:57 (Lightheart), 16:51 and 19:26.

Matteo Genero got the Siskins shut out and win stopping 28 of 28 Bears shots.

Donoghue faced 47 shots, stopping 38.

Stayner scored four of seven tries, while Muskoka was 0-6.

The Bears were penalized 11 times and the Siskins were called off the ice 10 times.

Stayner is the second-ranked team in the PJHL’s north division with an 18-15-3 record.

Muskoka’s 14th loss in 17 games includes 3 wins for last place in the same Caruthers division.

Things don’t look good for Bears who are home next Saturday Nov. 23 to the undefeated division-leading Alliston Hornets who are 16-0.

Game time is 7 p.m.

The Bears did have their chances at the other end, but were stoned by Siskins goalie Matteo Genero who stopped 28 of 28 Muskoka shots.
Some good rushes by the Bears weren’t rewarded including this three on one attempt.
But it was a stronger Stayner attack that led to the 9-0 win for the second place team in the North Caruthers Division.
The Bears were on defence most of the game as the Siskins owning inside Muskoka’s blue line. Photo Alex Hogg, MuskokaTODAY.com

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