By Matt Wilson
Smiths Falls, ON – The Ottawa Jr. Senators defeated the Smiths Falls Bears 3-2 in a shootout to open the 2019/20 season.
Brett Broaders and Owen Cole found the back of the net during regulation time and Ottawa was backstopped by a great performance from rookie goaltender Felix Schnell in his 1st career CCHL start.
In the 1st Cade Helmer opened the scoring for Smiths Falls with his 1st goal of the season and his 1st CCHL goal with an assist from Stuart Martin at the 7:42 mark of the opening frame. Ottawa answered right back though as Brett Broaders scored his 1st goal as a member of the Jr. Sens at the 11:04 mark on the power play with Berube and Alsaif assisting on the goal.
Moving along to the 2nd period Clarkson University Commit Ryan Richardson gave the Bears the lead back with a shot at the 15:15 mark of the 2nd with Helmer and Alex Lewis adding assists. Ottawa once again fought back though as team captain Owen Cole buried a breakaway goal after a brilliant feed from Matthew Toporowski with only 10 seconds remaining in the 2nd period.
In the 3rd period Ottawa out shot the Bears 8-7 but both teams failed to convert and the game needed overtime.
Overtime solved nothing for both of these clubs as the 1st game of the season headed to a shootout, where Matthew Toporowski ended the game in the 5th round with a beautiful shot past Bears net minder Jake Smith.
The win gives Ottawa their 1st victory of the season leading into the Home Opener tomorrow night vs the Rockland Nationals.
