Blackwood Earns First Career OHL Shutout in 4-0 Win Over IceDogs
After a slow start to begin the season the Barrie Colts looked to kick off the month of November on a winning note and they did just that. Mackenzie Blackwood recorded his first career OHL shutout as the Colts blanked the IceDogs 4-0.
The Barrie Colts got off to a quick start as they scored just 55 seconds into the hockey game. With an early man advantage Andreas Athanasiou redirected a Zach Hall pass at the top of the crease for his sixth goal of the season.
After taking the early lead the Colts took back-to-back penalties but goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was up to the task and kept Niagara off the board.
At 8:42 of the first period a pass from Alex Yuill through his own legs to Cordell James put the Colts ahead 2-0. James did some excellent work in front of the IceDogs net before burying his first career Ontario Hockey League goal.
Despite being outshot 9-7 the Colts found themselves with a 2-0 lead going into the break.
The second period began with some sloppy play from the Niagara IceDogs leading to multiple power plays for the Barrie Colts. On a 2-on-1 rush Colts forward Kevin Labanc would blast home a one time pass from Matthew Kreis to make the score 3-0.
Niagara’s frustration began to creep into the hockey game leading to a fight between defenceman Jake Dotchin and Anthony DiFruscia. The IceDogs held the edge in shots 20-14 after forty minutes.
Just over five minutes into the third period the Barrie Colts erased any chance of a Niagara comeback with another goal. Rookie forward Andrew Mangiapane burst into the IceDogs zone before he ripped home a nice shot low blocker on netminder Brent Moran.
With a 4-0 lead Mackenzie Blackwood did the rest coming up with some key saves late in the game. Blackwood made 31 saves on the night earning his first career OHL shutout.
The Colts specialty teams were perfect on the penalty kill going 6 for 6 on the night and were 2 for 7 on the power play.
Barrie will now be off until next Thursday, November 7th as they host the Mississauga Steelheads before heading to London on Friday November 8th to face the Knights for the first time since game 7 of the OHL finals.
Photo Courtesy of joelsmithphotography.ca
