LAURIE WEIR
The Smiths Falls Bears closed out their Central Canada Hockey League regular season in style with a decisive 6-1 victory over the Renfrew Wolves on Sunday, March 16. The Bears put on a show for the 265 fans in attendance, locking in fourth place overall as they await final playoff matchups, pending Monday’s game between the Brockville Braves and Nepean Raiders.
SMITHS FALLS 6, RENFREW 1
Renfrew struck first just two minutes into the opening frame, as Angelo Protopapas found the back of the net, assisted by Kyle Cameron and Dylan Paron.
The Bears wasted little time responding. Chris Cardillo netted the equalizer at 9:23 with an unassisted effort. The eventual game-winner came from Marc-Antoine Riopel, who gave Smiths Falls a 2-1 lead at 15:12 of the first, and the Bears never looked back.
The floodgates opened in the second period as Quinn Booth scored twice, while Brayden Childerhose and D.J. Ott each added singles. Tyson Parker collected two assists, with Lucas Cameron, Caeden Heins, Riopel, and Jackson Heron adding helpers.
Both goaltenders stood tall in the third period, keeping the frame scoreless. Ethan Morrow picked up the win in net for Smiths Falls, while Luke Suys took the loss for Renfrew.
GAME NOTES:
- Shots on goal: Smiths Falls 34, Renfrew 24
- Three stars: 1. Booth, 2. Riopel, 3. Cameron
BROCKVILLE 4, SMITHS FALLS 2
Two nights earlier, the Bears fell 4-2 to the Braves in Brockville before 486 fans.
Peter Legostaev opened the scoring for Brockville in the first period. Smiths Falls responded in the second, with Childerhose and Travis Ouellette netting goals, assisted by Kyle Dagg, Heron, and Xavier Tessier.
Brockville took control in the third. Charles Poudrette tied it up before Zach Biniaris notched the game-winner at 8:48. Legostaev sealed the deal with an insurance marker, capping off a two-goal, two-assist night and earning first-star honours.
GAME NOTES:
- Shots on goal: Brockville 32, Smiths Falls 23
- Three stars: 1. Legostaev, 2. Biniaris, 3. Ouellette
- Goaltenders: Braxton Bennett (Smiths Falls), Zach Biniaris (Brockville)
With the regular season now in the books, the Bears turn their focus to the playoffs, where they look to make a deep run.
The Bears ended their 55-game regular season with 30 wins, 19 losses, 5 OT losses and 1 SO loss for 66 points; second in the Robinson Division and fourth overall.
