Smiths Falls Bears snap 14-game losing skid with dramatic shootout victory over Ottawa Jr. Senators in CCHL league play

Smiths Falls Record News

By Laurie Weir 

He’s an oldie but goodie.

Veteran and overager Nicolas Coates brought it home on Wednesday night at the Jim Durrell arena for the Smiths Falls Jr. A Bears as they snapped their 14-game losing skid that started Nov. 29 with a 6-5 shoot-out win over the Ottawa Jr. Senators in CCHL league play.

The Bears scored three in the first before Ottawa could get one past Bo Taylor, who earned the win in nets with 36 saves.

"The win felt good, especially for the kids," said head coach Walt Dubas.

Scoring in the first were Corey Symington from William Searle at 9:54.

Two power play goals from Ryan Gibson and Kris Lalonde made it 3-1 for the visiting Bears before Chiwetin Blacksmith scored for Ottawa on the powerplay as the period ended 3-1.

In the second, Gibson was short-handed and unassisted for the Bears fourth goal.

Hubert Delisle replied for Ottawa at 16:02.

Symington had his second of the game, assisted by Marc Shannon and Brian Bygrave as Smiths Falls posted a 5-2 lead at the second period break.

Ottawa fought back in the third period to score three – the first on the power play from Zachary Cross at 13:29; the second from Hubert Delisle at 15:11. It wasn’t until the Sens pulled their goalie in favour of the extra man that they were able to tie the score in the final seconds of regulation. Jaren Burke did the damage at 19:27.

The teams played through a scoreless overtime period, before going to the shootout.

Coates scored the first and only goal needed for the big 6-5 win.

Game stars were Symington for Smiths Falls (first); Delisle for Ottawa (second) and Gibson for Smiths Falls (third).

The Bears were hit with 10 minor penalties in front of 142 fans, while Ottawa had seven minors.

The team has a new head coach at the helm in Dubas, former associate coach, after Mark Grady handed in his resignation on Jan. 20.

The Bears will play Gloucester today at 2 p.m. in the CCHL showcase day at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre and Youth Arena. The Bears are in their Den to kick off the day.

Laurie Weir is the news editor for the Smiths Falls Record News and The Perth Courier. She can be reached at ljweir@metroland.com. Follow her on Twitter @InOttValley and Smiths Falls Record News onFacebook.