Bears Fall in OT to Pios

In a matchup between the two top teams in the GLHL—and the clubs that have met in the last two league championship series—the Fond du Lac Bears earned a point but fell 4–3 in overtime to Portage Lake on Friday night.

The game marked the second time this season the Bears pushed the Pioneers past regulation, with Fond du Lac remaining the only team to take Portage Lake to overtime this year.

Portage Lake opened the scoring with 14:02 remaining in the first period to take an early 1–0 lead. Fond du Lac responded with steady pressure, finishing the opening frame with a 14–13 edge in shots, but the score held through the first intermission.

The Bears surged in the second period. Blake Spies tied the game with 19:51 remaining, and Josh Austin gave Fond du Lac a 2–1 lead with 8:04 left in the period. Portage Lake answered with 6:31 remaining to even the score at 2–2. Fond du Lac controlled much of the middle frame, outshooting the Pioneers 22–11.

Portage Lake regained the lead with 12:14 remaining in the third period, but the Bears responded once again. Nolan McDermott tied the game at 5:37, finishing a play set up by Brady Beekman and Danny Roe. The teams remained locked at three through regulation as Fond du Lac pushed the pace late, ultimately forcing overtime.

The extra session ended with 26 seconds remaining, as Portage Lake converted to secure the win. Fond du Lac finished with a 50–42 advantage in shots, marking another tightly contested battle between the league’s top teams.

Justin Davidson made 38 saves on 42 shots for the Bears, while Portage Lake’s goaltender stopped 47 of 50. Despite the overtime loss, Fond du Lac again demonstrated it can match Portage Lake in high-level games, earning a valuable standings point in the process.

Next Game:
The Bears close out the month of January on the road on the 31st at the M&M Shamrocks.