The Cumberland Grads tried their best to erase a four-goal deficit, but the Smiths Falls Bears would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-3.
Smiths Falls made the score 5-1 on a goal by Kevin Groulx at 9:44 in the third period, and Cumberland got as close as 5-3 when Shawn Cameron scored 14:42 into the third period.
The Bears pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 25 penalty minutes.
Smiths Falls stifled the Grads' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The Bears forced Cumberland goalie Ryan Coughlin to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots.
Smiths Falls was led by Sterling Bray, who registered one goal and one assist. Bray scored 1:28 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Smiths Falls. Josh Leblanc assisted on the tally. Smiths Falls additionally got points from Broydon Stufko, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Johnny Curran, who also had one goal and one assist. Matthew Kenney also scored for Smiths Falls. Other players who recorded assists for Smiths Falls were Chris MacMillan, Chris Karabassis, and Michael McKenney, who each chipped in one.
The Grads' offense rang up 36 shots on the Bears' net. Cumberland could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 22 minutes in penalties during the game.
In addition, Cumberland received assists from Martin Frechette, who had two and Zackhary Salloum and Simon Besner, who contributed one each.
Smiths Falls' Evan DeBrouwer stopped 33 shots out of the 36 that he faced. The Bears registered two goals on six power play opportunities. For Smiths Falls, Nicolas Coates was ejected from the game. Ryan Coughlin made 27 saves for the Grads on 32 shots. Cumberland registered zero goals on six power play opportunities.
