Smiths Falls Bears open Bogart Cup playoffs against Brockville Braves
SMITHS FALLS — Playoff fever has packed the community as the Smiths Falls Bears begin their quest for the Bogart Cup.
After finishing atop their division in the regular season, the Bears opened their best-of-seven quarterfinal series against the Brockville Braves with two wins over the weekend.
Friday night’s opener required overtime to determine a winner.
Tyson Parker opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 3:24. A second power play later in the period presented another opportunity, but Brockville answered with a shorthanded, unassisted goal from Jesse Lumsden at 15:26.
After a scoreless second period, the Braves took the lead on a power-play goal by Dryden Dervish at 10:17 of the third. Gus Rabe tied the game at 14:34, sending it to overtime.
Jackson Heron sealed the 3-2 win late in the extra frame, scoring at 18:53 with assists from Dean Carvallo and Jacob Smith.
Smiths Falls outshot Brockville 63-24 in the game.
Heron was named first star, Braves goaltender Austin Caley earned second star, and Rabe received third star honours.
The series shifted to Brockville on Sunday, where the Bears followed up with another win.
The Braves opened the scoring early, with Kayden Buller finding the net at 1:47. Parker responded for Smiths Falls at 8:39, and Jonathan Dudziak scored what stood as the game-winning goal at 11:57.
The second period remained scoreless.
Gus Rabe added an unassisted insurance goal at 8:55 of the third period to secure a 3-1 victory.
Smiths Falls again outshot Brockville, 39-21.
Dudziak earned first star honours, Bears goaltender Brett Ruddy was named second star, and Buller received third star honours for the Braves.
The two wins give Smiths Falls a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
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