BEARS PRESIDENT VEITCH CALLS FOR BIG CROWD MONDAY 2 P.M. TO CHEER HOME TEAM, AS FINAL HUNTSVILLE GAME WILL DECIDE ORILLIA OR ALLISTON AS THEIR PLAYOFF OPPONENT

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — Regardless of what’s happens in the playoffs next week, the Muskoka Bears will enter the post season on a high with a tremendously improved record over their first year.

But first it’s tomorrow when they end their second regular season with a key game Family Day.

A victory tomorrow at home over Huntsville at 2 p.m. will win them a post-season date with Orillia.

A loss would see Muskoka start the playoffs in Alliston against the PJHL’s No. 2 team in the eight-team North Carruthers Division.

Bears right winger Sebastien McLeod heads puck up ice out of his own zone ahead of back-checking Stayner Siskins last night at home. Muskoka plays it last regular season game tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre against the Huntsville Otters in a key contest that will decide their playoff seeding. PHOTO Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

That’s critical, because while the third-ranked Terriers are well ahead of them in the standings (27-12 as of Sunday with 56 points), the Bears have had better luck against them this season.

Contrarily, the Hornets (30-10) were Muskoka’s nemesis from the beginning of their existence in the fall of 2024 when the beat them 11-0 win.

Bears president Dave Veitch is calling for a huge crowd to cheer on the home team, after 210 were on hand Saturday.

He hopes that will spur on the Bears and make a difference on the scoreboard.

Prospects are brighter and better overall for the 12-26-3 Bears, who could finish sixth or seventh in the division. Innisfil will finish eighth.

They’ve had relative success this month with 2 wins, 2 losses, including winning 5-4 over Midland Feb. 1 and a 6-3 victory over Innisfil Feb. 10.

But a 5-3 loss Feb. 6 to Huntsville is concerning for tomorrow.

And a 6-3 loss to division leading Stayner last night at the Muskoka Lumber Centre has to have grounded the Bears, making them realize the reality of Monday afternoon.

However, with Huntsville also on the losing end last night after a 10-1 game against Penetang, both Muskoka teams have 12 wins each — but the Bears are up a point 27-26.

So each club faces a make or break bow out on the regular season.

No. 1 Stayner (32-8-1) is at Alliston (30-10) Monday, with Siskins up by 5 points 65-60.

Penetang is at Orillia.

Siskin captain Carson Eagle had a goal and assist in 6-3 win Saturday night. PHOTO Alex Hogg MuskokaTODAY.com

Last night the Bears showed resilience after a goal by William Muszynski at 7:17 of the second, when they mounted a late comeback with a pair of goals in the third from Ethan Boyes (10:30) and Jack Seney (11:35). This after being down 5-1.

It hasn’t been all good for Muskoka’s Jr. C team.

They’ve lost another coach/GM this year (after two last year), with Jeff Sanders no longer behind the bench in a shake-up last Tuesday. Jackson Arcan and Gandy Carson were behind the bench sharing offensive and defensive coaching duties last night.

And the team’s third top scorer Kevin Demeules (14 goals 19 assists, 33 points) wasn’t in the line-up last night. Top scorer Tyler Lasitz 16-23-39 and Sam Litt 15-20-35.

Bears goalie Joseph Degan and his teammates are eager for the post-season after a much-improved sixth-place standing this season with a dozen wins and one a final game to go Monday at 2 p.m. at home.

📧 Contact, Subscribe, Advertise

Email: news@muskokatoday.com

Subscribe: E-transfer $30 to news@muskokatoday.com

Mail: MuskokaTODAY.com, Box 34, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1T5

Advertise: Email news@muskokatoday.com for rates