Colts Fall 4-3 in Overtime in Game 2 at Sadlon Arena
The Barrie Colts delivered a strong, structured effort on home ice Saturday night but ultimately came up short, falling 4–3 in overtime in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Sadlon Arena.
From puck drop, Barrie established a noticeably different pace than Game 1, bringing energy, physicality, and a relentless forecheck. That early push paid off just 3:05 into the opening period, when Emil Hemming drove the puck wide and put it on net, with Cole Beaudoin crashing the crease to bury the rebound for his second goal of the series and a 1–0 lead.
The Colts continued to dictate play throughout the first, generating consistent offensive zone time and limiting Niagara’s looks. Beau Eliasson came close to doubling the lead with a one-timer that rang off the post, while the line of Wilmott, Brad Gardiner, and Salandra created repeated pressure shifts. Barrie carried a 9–7 edge in shots through 20 minutes.
Momentum carried into the second period, as the Colts once again controlled early play and earned the game’s first power play. Despite several quality chances, including another near-miss from Hemming, Barrie was unable to extend its lead.
Niagara capitalized on its opportunity midway through the period, as Ethan Czata drew a penalty and converted on the ensuing power play to tie the game 1–1.
Goaltender Arvin Jaswal responded with a steady presence in net, turning aside multiple quality chances on Niagara’s next man advantage to keep the game level. His performance helped stabilize momentum as the game tightened.
A key turning point came late in the period when Czata was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct, giving Barrie an extended power play opportunity. The Colts made it count, as Calvin Crombie finished a rebound in tight following a well-executed sequence from Parker von Richter and Gardiner to restore a 2–1 lead.
Barrie pushed for more during the extended advantage but was turned aside by Niagara goaltender Yermolenko, finishing the period with a 27–21 edge in shots.
Niagara responded quickly in the third, capitalizing on the power play as Ryerson Edgar found the top corner to tie the game 2–2 just 1:30 into the frame. The visitors continued to build momentum, and Riley Patterson gave Niagara its first lead of the night with a wrist shot from the slot to make it 3–2.
Barrie remained composed, delivering a key penalty kill to stay within one before generating a late push. That persistence paid off on the power play, as Gardiner found a loose puck in the slot and buried it at 14:55, finishing a play set up by Hemming and Beaudoin to tie the game and send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Over time, Barrie controlled much of the play early, generating multiple scoring chances from Zebeski, Beaudoin, and Hemming while holding a clear edge in shots. Despite the pressure, Niagara capitalized on a key moment late in the extra frame.
Following an offensive zone faceoff win, a point shot created a rebound opportunity that Hayden Reid converted at 13:19 to secure the 4–3 victory.
Barrie finished the night with a 45–35 advantage in shots and showed resilience throughout, responding to adversity and forcing overtime in front of a sold-out crowd. Jaswal turned aside 32 shots in a composed performance between the pipes.
The Colts will look to build on their effort and regroup as the series shifts to Niagara for Games 3 and 4.
