February 16, 2025

BEARS HEADING TO THE PLAYOFFS THIS WEDNESDAY AFTER SOLID 4-1 WIN OVER OTTERS LAST NIGHT

BRACEBRIDGE — A big home finish last night for the Muskoka Bears has them a little optimistic heading in to this week’s playoffs start with Alliston.

Beating the Huntsville Otters 4-1 gave them a boost — with just a Family Day game tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Orillia.

Then it’s Wednesday at home to the mighty Hornets — who face Stayner Monday at 2 p.m.

**Mason Taylor-Wood and the Bears wave to home fans last night after defeating Huntsville 4-1 in their final home game of the season. Photo Alex Hogg, MuskokaTODAY.com**

It’s an exciting way to wind up Muskoka’s return to Jr. C hockey with their sixth win in rounding out their 42-game schedule.

They wanted 870 fans to witness the game and finish with a league-record 10,000 fans in an initial season. But snow and 4-Nations game between Canada and the U.S. (who won 3-1) limited the crowd to about their average home attendance of 430.

Aiden MacDonald, Brayden Kelly and Hayden Anderson scored first for Muskoka before Tyson Jennings hit the open net at 19:53, which led five players being penalized in an end of game fight between the Otters’ Jack McNally and the Bears’ Ryan Warwick and cost the pair five-minute majors.

Kyle Caryn scored for the Otters.

Gabriel Donohue got the win stopping 40 of 41 shots. Darian Williams turned aside 32 of 36 shots by the Bears who came out fast on the night at one time up 10-0.

**Otter Brechin Johnston is chased by Ryan Warwick in Saturday’s solid win for the Bears in their final regular season game at home. Photos Mark Clairmont**

Wednesday’s PJHL North Carruthers Division playoff pits the first place Hornets and last place (8^th) Bears. Huntsville takes on Penetang.

The Bears will face angry Hornets — in a late 8:30 p.m. start at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre — after stunning Alliston Jan. 12 in a 5-4 shootout.

Muskoka record is 6-35 and Alliston 40-1 as of Saturday.