67’s fire 51 shots on goal in win over Colts
Only one night removed from a comeback effort that fell just short in North Bay, the 67’s headed to Barrie to close out their quick road trip against the Colts.
It took only six minutes for Brad Gardiner to pot his 12th goal of the season, finishing off a chance created by NHL Draft-eligible prospect, Henry Mews, who went end-to-end before throwing the puck to the front of the net. It set the tone for the frantic pace that was to come, and an answer from the Colts followed three minutes later.
Riley Patterson got the home side on the board on a scramble play at the front of the 67’s goal, bringing the second meeting of the season between the two clubs level. As time drained away on the first period, the Barber Poles put themselves a man down, and on the ensuing faceoff, Thomas Stewart found twine with just over two seconds on the clock.
With the gut punch of a last-second goal behind them, the Barber Poles set their sights on pulling themselves back into the game, which they accomplished with a Luca Pinelli shot from the top of the circle, which beat Ben West cleanly.
Then, both side’s offence went cold, with the “ping” of the crossbar standing on the goalie’s side numerous times. Midway through the third period, Kimi Körbler broke the silence, tipping a Thomas Sirman pass into the top of the net, giving the 67’s the lead.
In the dying stages of the contest, Pinelli tapped his second marker of the game, and 38th of the season, into the empty net, making a Barrie goal with 19 seconds left to play a moot point.
Outshooting the Colts 51-26, the Barber Poles earned themselves a valuable two points in the standings, bringing their magic number to clinch a berth in the OHL postseason to 11.
The 67’s are back on home ice this Family Day Monday at 2 p.m., as they seek revenge on the North Bay Battalion.
