POWER PLAY GOALS NOT ENOUGH TO HELP MUSKOKA STAVE OFF OTTERS LAST NIGHT IN 5-2 LOSS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The Muskoka Bears enter the home stretch of their first season tonight home to Stayner.

After their busiest stretch of the season so far — with 10 games in January — they left last month with a pair of wins against the division-leading Alliston Hornets (handing them their lone loss in 33 games) and the Penetang Kings.

The Siskins will be a challenge Saturday after beating the Bears 8-2 on Jan. 19.

The Otters and Nathaniel Cooper, who scored in the third, were just a step ahead of the visiting Bears last night in Huntsville where the home team won, 5-2, for their fifth victory over their Muskoka rival. Photo Alex Hogg MuskokaTODAY.com

Last night Muskoka’s PJHL most northerly division teams played their second game in January and second last of the season.

The rivals close in geography were again close in play as they have been mostly this season.

Only against Midland and Penetang can the Bears say they’ve had as many regular opportunities to win.

But Friday’s 5-2 loss — including an empty-netter for the Otters — wasn’t indicative of the scoring or play.

A good match at both ends of the Olympic size rink and in the neutral zone afforded both sides a chance to rack up points on the other in a give-and-go night around the net.

The Bears got their opening goal in the first when Owen Vandusen picked up a pass in front, went around back and got it back to Ryan Warwick who put it past Darian Willis. Photos Mark Clairmont

The Otters got on the scoreboard first short-handed at 12:09 with Caleb Carr beating Gabriel Donohue on a turnover goal. Rhett McFarlane made it 2-0 at 15:55.

However, 30 seconds later the Bears were  quick on the reply with Ryan Warwick in close beating Darian Willis.

But Damon Buttus on the power play sent the opposing players to their dressing room with the home team up 3-1.

The teams traded scores in the middle frame with Nathaniel Cooper stretching Huntsville’s lead to three goals at 13:29.

Parker McAdams began a Muskoka comeback a short time later at 15:16 — again with the extra man.

But after Bears coach Jake Yard called a timeout and pulled Donohue, the Otters sealed the deal with an empty-netter from Jayden Oke at 18:10.

Bears coach Jake Yard talks to his players late in the third on a time out after pulling his goalie. But the empty net was gaping for the Otters to seal the deal.

The road rivals meet again Feb. 15 at the Muskoka Lumber Centre with the Otters looking to close out the schedule with a six-game sweep after five wins: 4-2 Sept. 21, 5-0 Oct. 18, 4-0 Nov. 15, 3-1 Jan. 4 and 5-2 Jan. 29.

Willis got the win stopping 28 of 30 Bears shots and Donohue took the loss stopping 26 of 30 shots.

Muskoka went to the box 6 times, Huntsville 8.

Attendance was 540.

Parker McAdams’ second Muskoka goal in the middle frame kept them in the game with a chance against their road rival.
The Otters, wearing their Huntsville Huskies jerseys, proved too much on defence for Muskoka to penetrate fully around the net as the home team mostly controlled play in the defensive zone.
Action behind the net was fierce as the teams muscled for control and linesman had to pry players apart.
Willis stopped 28 Bears shots, including this great glove save as the visitors pressed hard in the third.

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