BEARS BEGIN BUSY FIVE-GAME PRE-CHRISTMAS RUN TONIGHT, AS SPARTANS SKATE INTO BRACEBRIDGE WITH SEASON SERIES TIED 1-1

Teams separated by a single point as Muskoka opens five-game stretch over two weekends

By Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The Muskoka Bears return to home ice tonight hoping to halt a four-game slide as they face the Innisfil Spartans — a team chasing them by just one point in the tight lower half of the PJHL Carruthers Division standings.

After nearly two weeks off, the Bears begin a demanding five-game stretch heading into the Christmas break, aiming for their seventh win of the season. Puck drop at the Muskoka Lumber Centre is 7:30 p.m.

It’s a big weekend for them — they need points and momentum.

Kevin Demeules, centre celebrating a Bears goal here against Orillia, has 11 goals and 13 assists as the team hopes to bounce back in to the win column against Innisfil tonight. PHOTO Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

The matchup marks just the third meeting between the two squads this season and the first in Muskoka.

The last time the two teams were scheduled to meet — in back-to-back games Oct. 31 and Dec. 1 — they were postponed due to the final two games of the World Series that even players wanted to catch even as few fans were expected.

Each team has one win in the head-to-head series, though the Bears’ Sept. 21 5-2 victory came in the season opener between them. And the Bears lost 3-2 Oct. 5.

Muskoka’s most recent outing was a narrow 6-5 loss Nov. 29 in Stayner, while their last win came Nov. 15 against Huntsville.

Both teams enter tonight with six wins apiece. Muskoka sits at 14 points through 24 games with 16 losses — two of those in overtime; while Innisfil trails with 13 points but having played four fewer contests only have 13 losses — one of them in a shoot-out.

After two games tonight and tomorrow (Penetang in Bracebridge) they play Stayner Thursday, Midland Friday, Penetang Saturday and Penetang again Sunday Dec. 21.

The Bears will be leaning on their top scorers:

  • Kevin Demeules (11G, 13A in 24 games)

  • Tyler Lasitz (9G, 12A in 22 games)

  • Sam Litt (points in all 8 games: 6A)

  • Dylan Hendrick (6G, 6A in 11 games)


“It’s a big weekend for Bears — they need points and momentum down stretch,” says fan.

FACT BOX: BEARS SNAPSHOT

  • Record: 6–16–2 (14 pts)

  • Division: PJHL Carruthers

  • Last win: Nov. 15 vs. Huntsville (4–1)

  • Last game: 6–5 loss Nov. 29 vs. Stayner

  • Home tonight: 7:30 p.m. vs. Innisfil

  • Tomorrow night at home: 7 p.m. vs. Penetang

FACT BOX: DIVISION STANDINGS (TOP & BOTTOM)

Top 2:

  • Stayner Siskins — 17–6 (24 GP)

  • Alliston Hornets — 17–6 (23 GP)

Lower pack:

  • Penetang — 23–14–6 (as of Friday)

  • Muskoka — 14 pts, 24 GP

  • Innisfil — 13 pts, 20 GP

  • Huntsville — 13 pts, 23 GP

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