February 25, 2026

BEARS ON VERGE OF ELIMINATION THURSDAY NIGHT IN RAMA, DESPITE DOWNEY FACING INCREDIBLE 75 SHOTS IN 3-2 LOSS TO TERRIERS

BRACEBRIDGE — The Bears may be down 3-0 and facing elimination tomorrow night in Rama (8 p.m.).

And if Kyle Downey gives way in net to back-up Joseph Degan it would understandable — if unlikely.

His Muskoka Jr. C team is more than twice as good as last season largely thanks to the one-time OHLer recruited to improve the Bears from 6 to 13 wins this their second season in the PJHL.

And it showed tonight as he faced 75 shots in a close 3-2 loss that his team-mates once led 2-0.

He stopped 72 shots by the visiting Orillia Terriers, who beat him 6-2 and 6-2 the first two games of their playoff series at home and on the road.

The final scoreboard showed the Bears only managed 23 shots.

The over-ager was good as promised this night and cheered by the 211 hockey fans in attendance at the late 8:30 p.m. game start.

**Kyle Downey faced 75 shots as the Terriers buzzed him all night tonight. And he allowed just three goals for an average of 1 in 25 Orillia shots. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com**

But with only two goals — again — the sixth-place Bears ended up no real match for the third-place Terriers.

Despite Downey keeping his team in a scoreless first period game with pad save after acrobatic diving saving pad save.

And giving them a 2-0 lead late into the second period.

He was helped on goals by Isaac Oakes who beat Bennett Mackey over his shoulder at 4:46 with only the Bears’ ninth shot; and Tyler Lasitz who was credited for a goal that bounced off a Terrier defender’s skate at 12:28.

But it took the Terriers 49 shots for Lleyton McLean to solve Downey at 15:54 of the second.

And their 60^th shot by Colton Dumond at 4:40 of the third to tie the game.

**Whether in close or on breakaways, Kyle Downey was good as promised in Game 3 Wednesday night at home in Bracebridge.**

Unfortunately for Downey and the Bears, he and his team gave up the winning goal midway through the third at 10:51 when Jake Schaly notched the game winner.

And with Downey pulled for the final 1:21 of the game he was off the ice after 75 shots and suffering the loss.

In what could be his last junior game of his career — in Bracebridge — watching from the end of the bench standing alongside Degan — his possible successor next season.

However, the duo could share the team’s final game Thursday night barring another outstanding performance by Downey and a win, which could see the teams return to Orillia Saturday night for Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

Note: Coming into the Northern Carruthers Division playoff the top four clubs were 2-0 in wins and the bottom four, including the Bears, were 0-2.