The Fowler atoms had another busy weekend, with a Saturday evening game against division rivals Parry Sound and a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Port Carling Thunder.

 Saturday evening kicked off with the Bears and the Shamrocks facing off on even playing ground.

The Bears hit the ice powered by a strong offensive line. Forwards Sean Ross, Sam King and Ryan Saunders all took aggressive opportunities to be first on the puck. While Bracebridge took an early penalty, the Bears worked tirelessly to kill it.

Things paid off when Ross grabbed the puck and carried it up the boards. In a moment of brilliance, Ross faked a slapshot then slid the puck to winger Saunders, who chipped it into the open net.

Defenceman Zack Low was nothing short of “smokin’ hot.” Low continuously challenged the offence, forcing Parry Sound to retreat time and again into their own end. Line mate Kameron Wilson also dug deep, using his long strides to outskate Parry Sound’s offence and return the puck to his brothers up front.

The Shamrocks tied it in the second, then scored again to take the lead. The period brought lots of shots, many saves and a sense of desperation by both clubs. Bracebridge took a penalty, but the Bears did another great job of killing it off.

The third period had forwards Everett Nudd, Parker Bowman, Keegan Tannahill and Jackson Miller pounding the surface and anyone that got in the way. They pressured the Shamrocks and were rewarded when Miller and Nudd kept hammering away in front of the Shamrocks net. Somewhere in the scramble the puck squirted over to Saunders, who tapped it in to tie the game.

The Bears took an unfortunate four-minute penalty with little time remaining on the clock. It was crucial at this moment for Bracebridge to stay cool and the team hunkered down to kill the penalty. Defensive partners Sam Stewart and Nate Lyndon maintained the curtain that supported their goaltender.

Netminder Dylan Hodges played a powerful game, making many critical saves. Hodges’ positioning was key in keeping the score from escalating.

The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Bears roll with Port Carling Thunder

Sunday afternoon brought the Bears to Port Carling for their second meeting with the Thunder.

From the moment the puck dropped, Port Carling made it clear they were not the same team as in the season opening match, consistently making Bracebridge work hard for control of the puck. It was an exciting period as both teams worked relentlessly to find the back of the net. The period ended scoreless, sending a big message to the Bears bench.

Early in the second, the Bears found their footing. Sean Ross put up his sails and took flight up the ice, sliding a gorgeous pass to winger Luca Barnes who one-timed the puck, netting the first goal of the game and opening the floodgates for more to come.

Defenceman Nate Lyndon managed a sweet pass to Ross who sent the puck “special delivery,” securing another goal and allowing the Bears an opportunity to take a deep breath.

Forward Keegan Tannahill supported his offence with fast rushes and nice passing. Sam Stewart did not disappoint as he carried the puck up the ice and fired a cannon at goaltender Jordan Gallant. Everett Nudd deflected it in for an impressive netter.

The period ended with a true display of teamwork as Ross fed Barnes, who sent it along to winger Parker Bowman. Bowman worked the puck and powered it deep into the net, ending the second with the Bears leading 4-0.

The third period saw two goals from Bracebridge and Jackson Miller assisted in both. The first went to Ross and the second to winger Ryan Saunders.

Bears goalie Christopher Cousineau played a strong game, remaining focused in some very tough plays.

Port Carling goaltender Gallant was nothing short of sensational. Time after time his positioning and quick reflexes prevented the Bears from taking over the scoreboard. The Thunder’s entire team worked hard, never surrendering at any moment.

These games leave the atoms with a division record of 7-1-0. The next home game is Nov. 16 against Haliburton. The puck drops at 3 p.m.