The Mann-Northway Northern Bears saw their season come to a close on Tuesday night, after a 2-0 loss to Saskatoon in Game 3 of the opening round of playoffs. Here, the Bears are seen following the play during a Saturday matinee against the Notre Dame Hounds at the Art Hauser Centre on Feb. 14, 2026. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Curtain Call

Season ends for Northern Bears as Stars take Game 3

Mar 11, 2026 | 3:15 PM

The Mann-Northway Northern Bears hit the end of the road on their season on Tuesday. 

Down in Saskatoon for Game 3 of the opening round of playoffs, the Bears came up short in their series upset attempt, dropping the deciding contest 2-0 to the Stars. 

Saskatoon managed to get on the board in the first with a marker from Presley Oleksyn and, following a long drought, was followed by a powerplay goal from Danelle Steffen late in the third. Meanwhile, Tarynn Sutter turned aside all 34 shots that came her way and Bears’ netminder Avery Brunen managed 35 stops, as the Stars advance to the semifinals. 

Northern Bears head coach Steve Young said the playoff loss is a tough pill to swallow for the team. 

“I think going into that series that we were pretty well matched, and the girls really worked hard to prepare and do the right thing. So last night was disappointing. It was one of those games where you hit a few goalposts and pucks go through the crease and they don’t go in, and they score two goals. It was really tough for the girls and as coaches, seeing the girls go through that doesn’t make it easy from our end either.” 

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The Bears had narrowly taken Game 1 on the road on Friday via a 3-2 score, before the Stars rallied in Game 2 with their own 3-2 win in overtime in P.A. on Sunday. Prior to the playoffs, the Black and Orange were red hot, having won eight of their last nine regular season contests.  

Despite the early exit from the playoffs, Young said there was no reason the team should be hanging their heads. 

“I believe there’s a lot of positives. We had a big turnover last year and brought in 10 or 11 girls to put together the team, and I thought as the year went on, they worked harder. We went on that run in the end there where we won some games and got confidence and the players understood their role and what they needed to do.” 

He continued that instead of needing to fill 11 spots on the team for next year’s roster, that number this offseason is only five as forwards Gracie Reed and Aidyn Konechny, defencemen Addison Davidge and Kasey Marshall, and goaltender Maggie Schell are aging out. 

When asked about the talent pool available to fill those shoes, Young said it will come down to the very last decision, adding other players who aren’t aging out this year could still leave and play elsewhere. 

“We believe the competition is going to be very good in that situation. It’s going to be tough, and like you always say on paper, you lose so many players but things also happen with players deciding to do different things or changing their minds. There’s always opportunity that way but with the AP’s, they know that they have to come and compete. Some of them that have been out with us have an idea what it’s going to take or what we’re looking for and we’re looking forward to that when we have our spring camp in April.” 

As for the coaching staff, Young expects the same group to be standing behind the bench.  

However, changes are coming in the front office as the club is in search for a new president, billet co-ordinator, and secretary. Those interested in filling those positions, or want to learn more, can contact the team at panorthernbears@gmail.com for more information. 

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com