Chris Uhlig

The Kemptville 73’s delivered a crushing 2-6 blow to the Bears Friday night at the Den in a game that’s more memorable for a serious player injury and the number of penalties, particularly unsportsmanlike behaviour, than actual hockey play.

Kemptville opened hunting season on the Bears with a powerplay score by Jesse Dick at 5:15 in the first period. Ashton Fry “C” followed his teammate with the follow-up goal at 14:06. The game took an ugly turn next when Bears goal tender Jake Smith received a blow to the neck. Unable to move for a number of minutes, he had to be helped off the ice by fellow players Mitchell Larabie and Scott Gervais. Bears newcomer Alex Zoutis (formerly Westport Rideaus) took over the net for the remainder of the game.

The Bears were finally able to score when Ryan Richardson fired his shot past 73’s goalie Jarrett Fiske at 5:11 into the second period during a powerplay advantage, assisted by Reid Russett and Jacob Shankar. But the joy was short-lived, as Kemptville landed the next goal, a powerplay score by Joseph Samson, at 7:47 and continued the hunt with yet another powerplay goal a mere two seconds before the end of the period by Ashton Fry “C”.

The Bears mounted a minor comeback with a powerplay goal by Reid Russett at 2:23 in the third period, helped by Noah Rowland and Jacob Cuffley. However, Ashton Fry “C” flung his third goal this evening for the 73’s into the Bears empty net at 16:37 and Joseph Samson delivered the coup de grâce with a score at 17:20 for the final total of 6-2 in favour of Kemptville.

First Star of the game was awarded to Ashton Fry “C” (KEM), Second Star went to Gavin Wood (KEM), and Third Star to Reid Russett.