BEARS END SEASON WAY IT BEGAN WITH ELIMINATING PLAYOFF LOSS TO HORNETS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — A season filled with so much hope and promise ended this afternoon as it began on the ice five months ago for the Muskoka Bears.

With so much youth and unbridled enthusiasm they met their match that Friday Sept. 13 in an 11-0 loss to the mighty Alliston Hornets.

Today it was the same — only a goal more defeating — as the Bears went down 12-0 in their first first-round playoff.

The Hornets sweep was inevitable from that day one.

Four games in five days will hurt any team — except of course Alliston.

They won 9-1 in Wednesday’s best-of-seven opener in Bracebridge, then 12-1 at home Friday, 6-0 last night in the Bears den and won it at home 12-1 again just hours ago.

Goalie Connor Sampson performed well last night at home in facing 59 shots while giving up just six in a shut-out for his opponent Seth Ronan at the other end. But as with this season his team lacked the firepower needed to even some scores. Photo Mark Clairmont

Scoring was Muskoka’s Achilles’ heel with only three in four games by Cohen Carlson (Game 1) Ryan Warwick (Game 2), and captain Aiden MacDonald (Game 4).

After five goals in the playoff opener by drop-down junior Jaden French, he finished them off today with another hat-trick with a pair each from captain Cole Turcotte, Duncan Grube and Jackson Young; with singles by Jax Bellwood, Jacob English and Cam Lamont.

That’s how it was in a rookie season for the young more inexperienced Bears who were up against an Alliston team that had more 21-year-olds than Muskoka had 18-year-olds.

The losing team also had five 17-year-olds and many players still eligible for minor hockey playing cards.

Their goalies Connor Sampson and Gabriel Donohue faced a night after night barrage of shots, including Saturday when Sampson was pummelled with 59 while his team-mates only managed 17 on Seth Ronan. Some say they should sue for lack of support.

This afternoon at the Tecumseh Rec Centre Ronan was only troubled seven times in giving up a lone goal to break his shut out.

A disappointing night for Muskoka’s home forgiving crowd of 356 Saturday who still walked away convinced this was their rookie season and that the scores would be more in their favour next PJHL season.

Ultimately the Bears played some fine hockey against all too superior opponents showing lots of hustle and perseverance under some difficult circumstances behind the bench.

They deserve another chance next season when they look to be a better on ice product.

Meanwhile, up in Huntsville their rivals’ series with Penetang is tied after a 4-3 Kings home win Friday and 4-2 Otters victory last night at home. The Kings are home Wednesday and the Otters host Friday’s Game 4.

 

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