The Carleton Place Canadians were firing on all cylinders against the Smiths Falls Bears, and when the final buzzer sounded Canadians emerged with a 5-0 win.
Andy Sturtz had a great game for Carleton Place, netting two goals. Sturtz found the back of the net 1:23 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Carleton Place and again while on the power play 18:16 into the second to make the score 4-0 Carleton Place.
The Canadians pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 16 penalty minutes.
Carleton Place forced Smiths Falls’ goaltenders to work in net, taking 39 shots and forcing 34 saves. Michael Pinios made 15 stops and Cole Skinner made 19. The Canadians put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Bears to score on any of their seven power plays. Carleton Place’s defensive play was more effective than usual against Smiths Falls. The Canadians allow 2.1 goals per game.
Carleton Place additionally got points from Wesley Baker, who also had one goal and one assist and Bryce VanHorn, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Adam Lloyd also scored for Carleton Place. In addition, Carleton Place received assists from Devin Campbell, Tyson Stewart, Owen Stewart, and Stephen Baylis, who contributed one each and Willie Brooks and Jordan Larson, who each chipped in two.
The Bears did not reach the goal total they have come to expect this season. Smiths Falls averages 2.8 goals per game.
Guillaume Therien rejected 15 shots on goal for Carleton Place. The Canadians registered two goals on six power play opportunities. The Bears incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. Smiths Falls ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Nicolas Coates was ejected from the game.
