BETTER … BUT IT’S SNAKES AND LADDERS FOR SLIGHTLY IMPROVING MUSKOKA BEARS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The Bears had a better weekend — relatively speaking.

Even though they lost both Saturday and Sunday.

They’re improving however so slowly after 30 games.

And though they remain on the bottom rung of the PJHL’s North Carruthers Division, they at least are in some games now — even keeping stride parts of 60 minutes.

But it’s snakes and ladders as it’s one step forward and two back.

Despite keeping them in the game much of the night, Gabriel Donohue couldn’t stop the Spartans including here when Jacob Jackson slipped one behind him at 7:44 of the second. Photos Mark Clairmont

Take last night when they held the Innisfil Spartans — a mid-pack team with 10 more wins — to a 2-2 draw at the halfway point on goals by Ryan Warwick in the first and Jacob Budney on a nice steal early in the second.

But three more Spartan goals — including a short-handed one with Muskoka’s Owen Vandusen off for a foolish head contact and misconduct — cost them an opportunity to improve beyond their 4-26 season record.

Too bad, because with another strong goaltending performance by Gabriel Donohue who held them to give them hope, the Bears let the modest home crowd of 343 down.

Defenceman Mason Burnett forces a Spartans forward Jace Schaly to go wide into the left corner headed toward the net.

Sunday in Stayner, 8-2

The tired teens, with only 14 skaters (and two goalies) Saturday, returned to the ice Sunday for their sixth game in nine days.

And it showed briefly as they started out well enough this afternoon Sunday in Stayner with a scoreless opening period draw before giving up six goals in the second and two more in the third — only managing to reply once each in the final frames thanks to Warwick and Tyson Tarydas.

The Bears only dressed 13 players and two goalies.

Final score 8-2 Siskins.

Muskoka is home to Penetang Friday at 7:30 p.m. with another shot at the Kings who are 15-15 and beat the Bears 5-2 last Sunday.

The Bears only iced 14 skaters at home Saturday hosting Innisfil and 13 Sunday in Stayner. Photo Alex Hogg

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