LAURIE WEIR
The Smiths Falls Jr. A Bears hosted the Brockville Braves on Family Day in Central Canada Hockey League play, delivering a 5-2 defeat to their visitors.
With the win, the Bears take sole possession of fifth place in the league with 49 points, just two behind Cornwall. The battle for playoff positioning remains tight, as only two points separate sixth through ninth place with nine games remaining.
SMITHS FALLS 5, BROCKVILLE 2
Monday night’s matchup drew a modest crowd of 149 fans, with the teams locked in a 1-1 tie after the first period.
Brockville struck first at 10:55, with Jesse Lumsden finding the back of the net. However, Smiths Falls answered in the dying seconds of the frame, as Tyson Parker buried his 27th goal of the season, assisted by Travis Ouellette and Quinn Booth.
The Bears took control in the second period, thanks to back-to-back goals from Marc-Antoine Riopel. His first, an unassisted effort, came just 59 seconds into the period. He followed up with another at 5:05, assisted by Caeden Heins and Jack Paquette, giving Smiths Falls a 3-1 lead.
Brockville’s Rhett Colson responded before the period’s end, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Smiths Falls secured the win in the third with two insurance markers. D.J. Ott netted his first goal as a Bear at 2:51, assisted by Paquette and Heins. Booth sealed the 5-2 victory with a goal assisted by Parker and Paquette.
Game Stars:
Marc-Antoine Riopel (Smiths Falls)
Tyson Parker (Smiths Falls)
Trey Caraciolo (Brockville, goaltender)
Ethan Morrow backstopped the Bears to victory with 20 saves, while Smiths Falls outshot Brockville 46-22.
COMING UP
Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. – Carleton Place at Smiths Falls
Feb. 23, 4 p.m. – Hawkesbury at Smiths Falls
Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. – Kemptville at Smiths Falls
