Chris Uhlig

Baby it’s cold outside, so why don’t you stay with me in the Den for a game of hockey. What a game it was, a real nail biter that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats til the very end. Even better, the Bears FINALLY took home a much awaited WIN, a 4-3 against the Rockland Nationals.

Rockland took an early lead with a score by Jean-Sylvain Boyer at 1:07. But a powerplay goal by Tate Leeson with assists from team mates Bruce Coltart and Mitchell Larabie at 5:37 leveled the score board total again. Matthew Vermaeten brought the Nationals to the lead again with a goal at 9:49.

The Bears caught up in the second period with a score by Fletcher Anderson at 13:36, assisted by Ethan Coltart and Peter White. But Rockland pressed forward again when Matthew Vermaeten scored his second goal of the evening for his team.

The Bears struck back 2 minutes and 55 seconds into the third period with a goal by Jacob Shankar, assisted by Alexandre Way and Joey Warywoda. The remainder of the period was filled with a heated battle between the teams to gain the next lead and possible game winning shot. That honour eventually fell on the Bears Jacob Cuffley, assisted by Peter White and Theo Todd, for the winning shot at 19:04.

The Bears sent a total of 26 shots at Rocklands net, while the Nationals flung 23 shots in total.

Jacob Cuffley was awarded the First Star, Matthew Vermaeten (ROC) Second Star, and Peter White Third Star.

And don’t forget, next Friday night’s game at the Den against Kemptville will be the annual teddy bear drive.