ROUND 2 GAME 4 PREVIEW: 67’s aim to even series at home

OTTAWA, ON – After picking up their first win of the series Tuesday, the #3 Ottawa 67’s are looking to tie things up as they host the #2 Barrie Colts at home on Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 p.m. for Game 4 of the 2026 OHL Playoffs presented by Nissan. Fans can also tune in to the game at home via Flo Hockey, Rogers Channel 22, or listen to TSN 1200 for play-by-play from Kenny Walls.

After two losses to start the series, Ottawa was finally able to implement and execute their system to a tee on Tuesday with a 5-2 win. Cooper Foster picked up a goal in the game, extending his point streak to five games while continuing to lead the team with nine points in the postseason so far. Meanwhile, Frankie Marrelli is coming off a huge game, netting three points in the 5-2 win in Game 3. In the crease, the 67’s will roll with Goalie of the Year nominee Ryder Fetterolf, who had a .947 save percentage across 37 shots in Tuesday’s win. As for roster changes, David Bedkowski returns to the lineup for the first time since Game 1, after serving a two-game suspension. Additionally, Coach Dave Cameron will enter the game as the OHL’s newly minted Coach of the Year, earning the award on Wednesday.

The Colts carry the league’s playoff point leader in Cole Beaudoin, who sits with 19 points in the postseason so far. Barrie is led in goals by Ben Wilmott, who is sitting at a goal per game in the playoffs through eight games. 

The Barber Poles’ discipline in Game 3 proved to be essential for the victory. They were able to hold off getting a penalty until late in the third with the game nearly secured, and as a result, their penalty kill seemed much calmer against the Colts’ otherwise lethal power play.

Ottawa had seemed to have found some holes in Barrie goaltender Ben Hrebik in Game 3, showing a tendency to give up rebounds to the slot, losing form when trying to stop said rebounds, and a tendency to lose composure and move wildly when Ottawa sets up the cycle. 

Additionally, the last game saw the success of the line of Sam McCue, Zach Houben, and Teddy Spitznagel in grinding down Barrie’s top line. 

If Ottawa can combine these three factors again, the 67’s could have a real shot at putting Barrie in their heels for Game 5.

 

For more storylines, check out the series preview here, as well as Playoffs Central presented by Gabriel Pizza for tickets, contests, and much more.

 

Capital connections: 

The Barrie Colts feature Ottawa-area-born forward and Utah Mammoth first-round pick Cole Beaudoin (Kanata). Additionally, the Colts roster features former Ottawa 67’s forward Brad Gardiner and Ottawa Senators prospect Gabriel Eliasson on defense.

 

By the numbers 

Ottawa 67’s	Player	Total
Goals	Spencer Bowes	4
Assists	Kohyn Eshkawkogan	6
Points	Cooper Foster	9
Power play goals	Thomas Vandenberg	2
+/-	Cooper Foster	9
Barrie Colts	Player	Total
Goals	Ben Wilmott	8
Assists	Cole Beaudoin	14
Points	Cole Beaudoin	19
Power play goals	Brad Gardiner	3
+/-	Mason Zabeski	12