Smiths Falls Bears fall to Raiders but edge Junior Senators to stay atop division
SMITHS FALLS — From the arena speakers came a song about getting into the groove, but down on the ice the Smiths Falls Bears simply couldn’t find theirs Friday night, falling 2–1 to the Nepean Raiders in an overall frustrating outing.
The first period didn’t start well for Smiths Falls, as the team had a goal waved off early, taking some wind out of its sails. Neither side found the scoreboard in the opening frame.
The second period brought no relief. The Raiders struck twice — Ryan English at 4:09 and Tristan Konobelj at 13:05 — to take control of the game.
In the final seconds of the third period, the Bears finally broke through with a consolation goal. Carter Beauchesne scored his 25th of the season at 19:30, assisted by Tyson Parker and Luka Benoit.
Despite heavily outshooting Nepean 42–14, Smiths Falls just couldn’t put it together that night.
First star honours went to goaltender Evan Grant (NEP), Ryan English earned second star, and Beauchesne was named third star.
The Bears were back in action the following day in Ottawa against the Junior Senators.
Caeden Heins opened the scoring with a power-play goal at the 10:00 mark of the first period, assisted by Luka Benoit and Davis Hails. Just over a minute later, at 11:15, Tyson Parker added another, with help from Carter Beauchesne.
Ethan Lobe got the Junior Senators on the board early in the second period with a power-play goal at 0:43. The third period remained scoreless, giving the Bears a 2–1 win over Ottawa.
With 70 points, the Bears now sit first in their division and second overall in the league standings.
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