LAURIE WEIR
The Smiths Falls Bears got mauled by a hungry Rockland Nationals squad Friday night, dropping Game 5 of the CCHL final series 6–2 at a raucous Rockland Arena.
Anthony Hall was a one-man wrecking crew, notching a natural hat trick and finishing with five goals in the playoffs. His third goal of the night came on an empty netter late in the third, but by then, the damage was done. Hall earned first star honours, while teammate Gabriel Le Houillier chipped in with three assists and earned the second star.
The Bears struck first with a goal from Chris Cardillo in the opening frame to tie things 1–1 after Hall’s early marker. But the second period was all Nationals, who unloaded three unanswered goals and outshot Smiths Falls 13–6 in the frame. Noah Laframboise tallied his first of the post-season, while James Marshall added the insurance marker.
Tyson Parker gave the Bears a pulse with a third-period goal to make it 4–2, but a late push wasn’t enough. Gagné and Hall each added late goals—one into an empty net—to seal the deal and swing the series momentum back in Rockland’s favour.
Bears netminder Ethan Morrow stopped 31 of 36 shots in the loss. The Bears’ power play was ineffective, going 0-for-2, while Rockland failed to convert on five chances with the man advantage.
The Nationals now lead the best-of-seven series 3–2, with Game 6 shifting back to Smiths Falls, where the Bears will need to dig deep to force a decisive Game 7.
Game stars were Hall with three goals for Rockland; Le Houillier with three assists for Rockland, and Parker with a goal for Smiths Falls. Benoit Forget earned the win with Ethan Morrow taking the loss.
Game 6 goes down Sunday at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre. Puck drop is at 4 p.m. If needed, Game 7 is in Rockland on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.