Bears defender Jessie Herner reaches out to keep a puck in at the blueline. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Bears' backs off the wall

Bears find their best game, beat Hounds to stay alive

Mar 11, 2019 | 9:48 PM

The Prince Albert Northern Bears were backed into a corner, but were able to claw out a big win Monday night to keep their Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League. They won 3-2 over the Notre Dame Hounds to stave off elimination and force a Game 4 in Wilcox on Wednesday.

“I think the girls knew what position they were in. It’s more than just staying alive, it’s the confidence part too, moving forward,” Bears head coach Jeff Willoughby said. “Hopefully we can build from that. The girls realized [heading in] that they hadn’t put their best effort forward yet, ‘so let’s try playing these guys with our best effort and see what happens.’ That’s what they did tonight.”

Bears captain Abby Soyko, who’s the highest scoring player in Bears history, was held pointless in the Bears’ two losses to open up the series. That’s rare for her, especially considering she entered the playoffs on a seven-game scoring streak and had a hat trick in her final regular season match.

But Soyko came to life offensively in Game 3, scoring the game winning goal on the power play midway through the third period. She crashed the net and potting home a rebound caused by a hard, low shot from Bears defender Jessie Herner.

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Soyko also got the primary assist on the Bears’ second goal of the game, scored by Jasper Desmarais in the second period.

“If [Soyko] doesn’t end up on the scoresheet, she’s still going to contribute—but that’s where she needs to contribute the most. She knows that, we all know that,” Willoughby said. “To get a power play goal finally, it helps the power play too. It’s all confidence.”

On the Hounds’ side, head coach Craig Perrett said his club didn’t match the Bears’ urgency in the game.

“The biggest difference is that they wanted it more,” Perrett said. “They were very desperate and knew what was on the line. We had a bit of a cushion and kind of prepared that way, we had a 2-0 lead. At the end of the day, the hardest game to win is the one that knocks a team out. We showed up not quite desperate enough to actually take on that third game. They did.”

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Bears, Miranda Heidt from Jadyn Kushniruk and Brooklyn Anderson, 12:27

Second Period

2-0, Bears, Jasper Desmarais from Abby Soyko and Kate Ball (power play), 6:57

2-1, Hounds, Lyndsey Janes from Kaitlyn Gilroy and Sophie Young, 10:31

Third Period

3-1, Bears, Abby Soyko from Jessie Hertner and Jasper Desmarais (power play), 10:49

3-2, Hounds, Jada Livingston (unassisted), 6:10

Looking ahead

Game 4 will be played in Wilcox. If the Hounds win, they advance to the second round, but if the Bears win, they will force a Game 5 back on Thursday at the Art Hauser Centre at 7 p.m.

“If [tonight] is any indication on how we can play, even the first 20 minutes, we need to bring that effort. We’re capable of doing it, so yes, I feel confident of coming back on Thursday,” Willoughby said.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW