The Zarmac Atom AE South Muskoka Bears gave it everything they had in a hard-fought 5-game playdown series against the Midland Centennials from January 19-29, 2019.
Game One of the series was the only lopsided result. Playing in front of a home crowd, Midland jumped out to a 4-nothing lead through the first two periods. It was 5-nothing in the 3rdbefore the Bears got on the Board with the first of two goals by Lincoln W., both assisted by Tyson O. Cents took the opener 8-2 for a one nothing series lead.
Back in Bracebridge for Game Two, Joshua D. got things moving in the right direction by opening the scoring on his first shift, assisted by Brayden R. It was back and forth from then one with the Cents jumping out to a 2-1 lead until Brayden R. tied the game at two, with Eli K. being credited with the assist. The teams traded goals ten-seconds apart in the third period. Tyson O. tallied for South Muskoka to tie the game at three, assisted by Trent C. and it stayed that way through regulation time. Eight minutes into the overtime, Malcolm G. took off from his defensive position and after picking up an amazing pass by Doran S., Malcolm found an open seam, and beat the Midland goalie top shelf to cement the win and knot the series at a crucial game a-piece. Ben W. played a formidable game in net and made some fantastic saves throughout.
The series stayed in Bracebridge for Game Threewith another tight contest. Bears opened the scoring in the first on Lincoln W’s 3rdgoal of the series, assisted by Hunter L. and Joshua D. He’d add another in the 2ndperiod, assisted by Jack G. In rapid succession, the Bears took a commanding lead, after Jack G. belted on in, followed by another from Brayden R, set up by Trent C. South Muskoka carried a 4-1 lead into the final frame. Chris R. also made some great passes and shots on net. The Cents notched two in the third make it close, but the Bears hung on for a 4-3 win and a two-one lead in the series. Kye D. was a force to be reckoned with in net. His quick moves and amazing saves contributed in large part to the win.
Over to Midland for Game Fourwhere the Cents built a commanding three-nothing lead, but the Bears got on the scoreboard early in the third with a goal from Lincoln W., followed later by one from Hunter L. It wasn’t enough though as the Centennials scored a 4-2 win to tie the series again, at 2 games apiece.
Mother Nature forced re-scheduling of two games during the series, but in the end, it came down to a nail-biting fifth and final game in Midland. The Bears took the early lead, after Joshua D. scored the game opening goal, assisted by Phenix C. and Jack G. However, the Cents followed suit and at the beginning of the third, the Bears were down 4 – 1. However never a team to give up, the Bears fought back. They stormed back from the 4 – 1 deficit to tie the game at four with just over a minute to go in the third period, thanks to goals by Lincoln W., assisted by Eli K., and then a pair of goals by Brayden R., assisted by Hunter L. and Grayden Z. The game appeared destined for overtime! However, in a heartbreaking last 15 seconds of the game, the Cents managed to pot two goals to win the game 6 – 4 and take the series 3 games to 2.
Despite the disappointing end to this game, the Atom AE Bears could walk away with their heads held high. They played an amazing game and fought hard to tie it up. They didn’t give up and played some of the best hockey that they had all year. It was a truly intense and spectacular game of hockey and showed how well they came together as a team.