Bears one win away from Esso Cup; beat Wildcats

The Bears’ may have been a little nervous in the first period, as they fell behind 2-0 after the opening 20 minutes of play. Ashton Bell, who had 58 goals with the Wildcats in all competitions heading into the regionals, found the top corner 4:32 into the game. Andrea Sanderson made it 2-0 after the Bears couldn’t capitalize on a 2-on-1 break shorthanded.

But whatever anxieties the Bears entered the game with, they vanished by the time the second period began.

They scored five consecutive goals, including four in the second period to take a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.

Kate Ball got the Bears going with a quick wrist shot 1:43 into the second period. Jadyn Kushniruk scored the next two herself, both on rebounds in front of the net. Story Navrot made it a four-goal period for the Bears late in the frame. That’s the first time since Feb. 19 that they’ve managed a four-spot in a single period.

Then Brooklyn Anderson scored the eventual game winning goal early in the third period to extend the Bears’ lead to 5-2.

The Wildcats didn’t go away without a fight, however. They scored quick back-to-back goals from Josee Casavant and Alisha O’Hara to put them within a goal with five minutes remaining.

The Bears seal it late with an empty netter from Kate Ball to make it a 6-4 affair.

“It felt like there was about two or three smaller games played out there. In the first 15 minutes, we were tentative,” Willoughby said. “Parts of the first period, we had some good shifts but we had a lot of anxiety. In the second period, not just because of the four goals, but I thought we came out and played our game.

“Then in the last 10 minutes, we took our foot off the gas, took an undisciplined penalty and let them back into the game.”

The Bears’ undefeated streak continues, as they haven’t lost a game since Jan. 29. They’ve now won their last 14 contests, including all nine postseason games.

To make it 15 and get to the Esso Cup, Willoughby said he needs his team to give a complete game effort.

“We told the girls, we just have to prepare mentally to play a 60 minute game tomorrow,” Willoughby said. “In all, we probably played 40 minutes of Bears hockey. We need to play 60, so mentally start preparing yourselves right now.”

Jeff D’Andrea is paNOW’s sports reporter. He can be reached at jdandrea@jpbg.ca or tweet him @jeff_paNOW.

by Jeff D'Andrea

Bears one win away from Esso Cup; beat Wildcats

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