Embrun Panthers open the season with a 5–2 win over Smiths Falls

CJRO Radio (Embrun)

The Embrun Panthers got their 2026–27 season off to a strong start Thursday night, defeating the Smiths Falls Jr. Bears 5–2 in Smiths Falls.

Embrun controlled much of the game, outshooting the Bears 32–18 and building a 3–0 lead through the first two periods.

Travys Tessier opened the scoring late in the first period, finding the net with just 12 seconds remaining to give Embrun a 1–0 advantage.

The Panthers added two more in the second. Wyatt Leblanc scored just 46 seconds into the period, while Owen Raine made it 3–0 at 15:35, assisted by Andrew Lankester.

Embrun continued its strong play early in the third when Remi Gendron scored at 1:36, with Tristan Brown picking up the assist, giving the Panthers a commanding 4–0 lead.

Smiths Falls responded with goals from Joshua Locke at 4:45 and Caleb Bourne at 6:13, cutting Embrun's advantage to 4–2.

The Bears would get no closer. Tristan Brown sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:48, assisted by Wyatt Leblanc, for the 5–2 final.

Embrun held a significant advantage in shots, 32–18, including 12–7 in the first and 11–5 in the second. Neither team was able to capitalize on the power play: Embrun finished 0-for-7, while Smiths Falls went 0-for-2.

Final: Embrun Panthers 5 – Smiths Falls Jr. Bears 2

The two teams met again Friday, September 18, with Smiths Falls visiting Embrun.

Smiths Falls Jr. Bears defeat Embrun Panthers 4–1 in home opener

The Embrun Panthers fell 4–1 to the Smiths Falls Jr. Bears on Friday, September 18, splitting their season-opening home-and-home series after Embrun's 5–2 victory in Smiths Falls the previous night.

Despite the loss, the Panthers generated plenty of offence, outshooting Smiths Falls 47–30, including a 16–5 advantage in the second period.

Embrun opened the scoring at 13:32 of the first period when Wyatt Leblanc scored his second goal of the season on the power play. Andrew Lankester and Ethan Lamey picked up the assists, sending the Panthers into the first intermission with a 1–0 lead.

The game changed quickly in the second period. Caiden Deshaw tied the game at 2:11, and just 41 seconds later Luca Goodwin scored to put Smiths Falls ahead 2–1. Deshaw added his second of the night at 7:57, giving the Bears a 3–1 advantage despite Embrun holding a sizeable edge in shots during the period.

Embrun continued to pressure in the third, recording another 15 shots, but couldn't solve the Smiths Falls goaltending. Ryan Lecours scored at 6:19 to extend the Bears' lead to 4–1 and complete the scoring.

Special teams were a bright spot for Embrun. The Panthers went 1-for-2 on the power play, while their penalty kill held Smiths Falls scoreless on four power-play opportunities.

The game also became increasingly physical, particularly during the second period. The teams combined for 32 penalty minutes, with Smiths Falls assessed 18 minutes and Embrun 14.

By the numbers

Final: Smiths Falls Jr. Bears 4 – Embrun Panthers 1Shots: Embrun 47 – Smiths Falls 30Power play: Embrun 1/2 – Smiths Falls 0/4Period scoring: Embrun 1–0–0; Smiths Falls 0–3–1

The result leaves the Panthers 1–1 to begin the 2026–27 season, with both games coming against Smiths Falls. Across the two-game set, Embrun outscored the Bears 6–6 overall, winning the opener 5–2 before dropping Friday night's rematch 4–1.