‘ORIGINAL BEARS’ CAN’T INSPIRE NAMESAKES WHO LOSE 3-1 TO HUNTSVILLE OTTERS LAST NIGHT

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The Bears started their second year with their 23rd loss last night.

The PHHL team continued to struggle in its first season while hosting the Huntsville Otters dropping a winnable game 3-1.

After giving up the first goal 1:58 into the game (Sam Litt) they had time to get back in the game, but gave up Huntsville’s second goal shortly after at 6:13 (Caleb Jones).

New Bears goalie Gabriel Donoghue was no match for the snipers.

The Bears settled down and held the visitors scoreless through the rest of the first and the second periods.

Before an announced crowd of 881 — and with more than a dozen “original Bears” on hand to inspire them — the Muskoka team came out in the third with more energy as Tyson Jennings cut the lead in half with his goal at 1:48 with his eighth goal of the season to give his team hope of beating their northern rival.

However Jack MacNally stretched Huntsville’s lead at 9:16.

The Otters are now 11-20 in 31 games.

Tyson Jennings scored his eighth goal, giving the Bears hope when he beat PJHL all-star Willis Darian 1t 1:48 of the third to make it a 2-1 game. Photos Mark Clairmont
Six ‘Original Bears’ failed to inspire their namesakes last night. Left, Dave Crawford, Rick Smith, Wayne Welcher, Tim Montgomery, Greg Crozier and Bob Crawford.
Bears alumni team members gathered for a team photo before the game with coach Danny Poland, centre left.
The Original Bears were introduced before the game, but couldn’t inspired their namesakes.
Jeanette Lees, wife of former Bear Scott Lees, performed the ceremonial puck drop.
Right winger Mason Burnett works to puck out of his own end against Jack MacNally.

Players from the Bears past were introduced before the game to rounds of applause.

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