LAURIE WEIR

The Smiths Falls Jr. A Bears blasted the visiting Renfrew Wolves on Friday Oct. 11 at home in front of 333 fans. 

Paired with a 5-2 win in Hawkesbury on Oct. 10, the Bears have jumped up a respectable third place in the Robinson Division – just one behind the Kemptville 73’s and three back of the leading Brockville Braves. Overall, the Bears are in the No. 6 spot.

Coach Pat Malloy spoke with Hometown News ahead of this week’s games. He said that the team’s not quite where he wants them to be “but it’s not totally unexpected,” as they’re looking at a bit of a rebuilding year.

Last year, the team was hot out of the gates and held a strong position through to the Bogart Cup finals where they finished second overall after a run against the Navan Grads. 

“We’ve got over half a team that’s new to junior,” Malloy said, “and you’re seeing some of those growing pains. Our guys that are back – the returning players – are certainly carrying the load. Some of the new guys are taking a little longer than we anticipated to figure out the league and the level.”

Truth be told, the GM said, they’re right where they thought they’d be. 

Bright spots – Kyle Dagg, soon to be 20, has come into camp after a great summer, the coach said. Dagg’s listed as the most local guy on the team hailing from Lanark County – just outside Smiths Falls. 

“Jackson Heron is another one who really stands out. He’s put the work in and looks like a new player this year. Jack Paquette has come in and turned heads from the get-go. Those three guys have had great summers and have showed up and made a difference every night for us,” Malloy explained. 

With the loss of goalie Dawson Labre, now playing NCAA for Ohio State University, Malloy said it’s a tough hole to fill.

“We think our guys are going to get going here – it’s a new opportunity for someone to take that role,” he said. “Ethan Morrow, from the Kingston area, has been an impactful goalie in the past and we’re hoping we can get him to that point with us.”

The coach said there’s some “kneading of the dough” that’s being done. “I think when some of these new kids start figuring it out, we’ll be in a better spot for sure.”

He’s cautiously optimistic and “every day we’ll just show up for work and try to get better.”

Smiths Falls 6 Renfrew 1

It was a 6-1 win at home Friday, Oct. 11 as the Bears handled the Wolves with ease. 

Smiths Falls was up 1-0 after the opening period with a goal from Andrea Blais. Assists came from Travis Ouellette and Raine Hodge at 6:44 of the period. 

Into the second, Chris Cardillo and Tyson Parker rallied for Smiths Falls to go up 3-0 at the break. Assists were credited to Heron, Dagg, Matthew Herb and Blais. 

Into the third, Ouellette scored back-to-back markers as Smiths Falls went up 5-0. Ouellette had the power play goal at 7:13 of the period, assisted by Quinn Booth and Kyle James. On his second of the period about 2 minutes later, he was assisted by the same line mates. 

It wasn’t until the dying minute of the game that Renfrew was able to score as Grant Lucas scored on the power play to spoil Braxton Bennet’s shutout performance.

Game stars were Ouellette (No. 1) and Bennett (No. 2) for Smiths Falls, and Lucas (No. 3) for Renfrew. 

Smiths Falls 5 Hawkesbury 2

On the road Oct. 10, the Smiths Falls Bears posted a solid 5-2 win over the Hawkesbury Hawks with 514 fans in the stands. 

Dagg and Cardillo scored for Smiths Falls in the first period with assists to Dagg, Cardillo, Heron and Paquette. 

Edward Downey replied for Hawkesbury as the home team trailed 2-1 at the break. 

It was all Smiths Falls in the second with three unanswered goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Goals came from Peyton Veltkamp with a pair, and Blais, who was unassisted. Assists were credited to Mason Benedict, Lucas Cameron, Hodge and Parker. 

In the final period with 17:00 on the clock, Alexis Trudeau had the Hawks second and final goal of the game. 

Stars were Veltkamp (No. 1), Cardillo (No. 2) for Smiths Falls, and Downey (No. 3) 

Morrow was the winning goalie with 26 saves recorded. Brett Ruddy was hit with the loss with 34 saves. 

Coming up

The Bears are on the road Sunday when they have an afternoon tilt against the Kemptville 73’s at 2 p.m.