ROUND 2 GAME 1 RECAP: 67’s drop Game 1 to Colts
After sweeping the first round, the Ottawa 67’s have dropped their first game of the 2026 playoffs, falling 4-2 to the Barrie Colts in Game 1.
The Colts would open up the scoring in the first with a one-timer from Mason Zabeski off a feed from Dallas Stars prospect Emil Hemming. Hemming would later set up New York Islanders prospect defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson with a one-timer of his own for the 2-0 lead just a few minutes in.
Ottawa would begin to gain offensive confidence in the second. Nic Whitehead would break the seal, netting a power play goal on Barrie netminder Ben Hrebik to bring the lead to a single goal. However, Ben Wilmott, the Colts’ leading scorer, would pick up his sixth of the playoffs and the eventual game winner. Barrie would close out the second frame with a 3-1 lead; the 67’s did outshoot them 14-12.
The third would begin with a quick goal from Hemming to extend the lead to 4-1. Ottawa would answer late, with a marker from Thomas Vandenberg, but the Colts would hold on. Both teams would tie in shots with 34 in the game, but ultimately, Barrie would capitalize on the chances they got.
Box score
| Teams | Score | Shots on goal | Power plays |
| Ottawa | 2 | 34 | 1/5 |
| Barrie | 4 | 34 | 2/3 |
First period
#19 Mason Zabeski (2) scores. Assists: #28 Emil Hemming, #29 Cole Beaudoin
#77 Kashawn Aitcheson (2) scores. Assists: #28 Emil Hemming, #29 Cole Beaudoin
Second Period
#10 Nic Whitehead (1) scores. Assists: #29 Cooper Foster
#53 Ben Wilmott (6) scores. Assists: #88 Evan Passmore, #77 Kashawn Aitcheson
Third Period
#28 Emil Hemming (5) scores. Assists: #29 Cole Beaudoin, #77 Kashawn Aitcheson
#37 Thomas Vandenberg (3) scores. Assists: #8 Frankie Marrelli, #23 Cooper Foster
Up next
Ottawa will get a chance to even the series once more on Saturday, March 11th, 2026, taking on the Barrie Colts at the Sadlon Arena at 7:30 p.m.
They’ll return to Ottawa for Game 3 on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, with tickets on sale for as low as $28. Check out Playoffs Central presented by Gabriel Pizza for that and much more.
