BEARS KEEP IT TIGHT FRIDAY, BUT SPARTANS HAND THEM 23RD LOSS AS MUSKOKA HOSTS ALLISTON TONIGHT AT 7 P.M.

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The new year brings more hope for the Muskoka Bears — certainly after last year’s rookie season.

Three new players in 2026 — including stealing Nicholas Cooper from Huntsville, a couple of key wins against Orillia (3rd) and Penetang (4th) who they could match up with in February’s playoffs.

With 10 games left last night, at home, the 6th place division team was looking to reach double digits in wins with a record of 9-22-2 as they hosted the Innisfil Spartans (7th) before a welcoming crowd of 300 on Community Living Night in a 4-3 visitors win.

Bears forward Sam Litt circles the net in the first as Muskoka held Innisfil in check for most of the frame before giving up a late goal and a 1-0 Spartans lead. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

While neither team was particularly sharp — missed passes, missed net, missed opportunities — overall it was an even game for teams a place apart in the North Carruthers division.

But it was still competitive and entertaining in which the Bears outshot the Spartans 47-32.

The sixth- and seventh-place teams were both facing off looking for their 10th win, which the Spartans took back home to Alliston. PHOTO Alex Hogg MuskokaTODAY.com

After a first period that was fairly even, though the Bears did hold the edge in shots on Spartan goalie Luke Rockbrune, Innisfil took a 1-0 lead when Joseph Degan gave up an undeserving goal by Owen Srigley at the 18:03 mark.

The Spartans took an early second period lead on at 2:02 on a breakaway.

The Bears finally got back on the scoreboard cutting the lead in half when Kevin Demeules took advantage as Muskoka pressed hard before he fired inside the post with a snap shot from the right side circle.

Isaac Oakes lifted the home crowd when late in the second at 17:48 he sent the teams to the dressing room tied when he out-raced a defenceman on a breakaway getting off a shot that Rockbrune let drop in the net.

Cam Chalut put the visitors ahead on a wraparound just 5:25 into the third for the lead.

But the Bears weren’t done yet.

Liam Cardiff had home team fans on their feet when broke in front of Rockbrune tucking in an exciting goal that tied the game at 3-3.

Just when overtime loomed, Kevin Buset potted the winner with 2:42 and their 10th win.

Handing the Bears their 23rd loss in 33 games.

They host Alliston tonight at 7 p.m. at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre.

The Bears had their chances in close on Luke Rockbrune, who was named the game’s first star stopping 46 Muskoka shots.
Ian Okes comes happily scored in the third to tie the game at 3-3.
The Bears picked up forward Nicholas Cooper, right, from the Huntsville Otters in a big move to fill out their roster after Christmas.

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