Despite a Logan Hutsko snipe pulling the score even late in the middle, the Bears regained their lead just before the second-period buzzer and added on another quickly in the third.
That burst would prove to be the difference. The Checkers would claw back into a one-goal deficit on two separate occasions - once via a Riley Nash conversion early in the third and once courtesy of a Lucas Carlsson launch inside two minutes remaining - but the Bears kept them from the equalizer until the final buzzer sounded, cashing in on two empty netters in the waning moments of the game to seal the 6-3 final.
QUOTES
Coach Geordie Kinnear on the gameIt was a competitive, playoff-type game. I thought they were more competitive in the first period physically. Sometimes it’s hard when you go from one team to another and you try to prep them as a coach when the style is a lot different. I thought they had the jump early, but I loved how our guys battled back. It was just a competitive playoff game and we fell short.
Kinnear on how his team adapted as the game went along
Just more composure with the puck. Early on, just the jitters a little bit. Adjusting to a different style. Once we adapted to that I thought it was a good hockey game. Credit to them, they won the special teams. They scored two power-goals and we got none.
Kinnear on the team being frustrated by the loss
It’s good for our team. A competitive-type game that you have to manage momentum, emotions and all that stuff. We talk about learning all the way along and you have to continue to learn little lessons along the way. I love emotion, you’ve got to make sure it’s in check and channeled the right way.
Kinnear on Connor Bunnaman, who left the game with an injury near the end of the second period
It’s not good.
