COLTS FALL SHORT IN LONDON
The Barrie Colts and London Knights faced off in front of a sold out crowd Friday night at the Budweiser Gardens.
The Colts would get off to a fast start, as Zach Hall would put his team ahead 1 – 0 just 2:34 into the first. Michael Webster faked a slap shot and passed the puck to Hall who was in the corner. Hall then walked out in front of the net and slid it past Kevin Bailie on his backhand.
Barrie would eventually increase their lead on a shorthanded rush. A 3 on 2 for the Colts saw Tyson Fawcett drop the puck to Aaron Ekblad who wired it home. Ekblad who was streaking down the middle, fired off a nice wrist shot, beating Knights goalie Kevin Bailie low blocker. London would respond just a few minutes later to cut the deficit to 2 – 1. Alex Broadhurst skated into the Colts zone, before going top corner off the bar and in past Mathias Niederberger.
The second period was a costly one for the Colts as they found themselves behind after forty minutes. The London Knights came storming back after a slow first period, scoring their fourth straight unanswered goal. Bo Horvat added two goals in the second, while Josh Anderson added the other. A four minute high sticking penalty for Barrie proved to be the difference as London scored twice on the man advantage.
The Colts would battle back in the third, scoring on their own power play chance just 3:13 into the final frame. Captain Ryan O’Connor rifled home a slap shot from the point to cut the lead to 4 – 3. The goal by O’Connor was his 50th in his OHL career. Andreas Athanasiou and Steven Beyers picked up the assists.
In the later stages of the third period, Max Domi would score his 14th goal of the season sealing the victory for the London Knights. Seth Griffith was named the first star of the game, adding four assist on the night. The Barrie Colts power play went 1 for 7 on the evening while London went 2 for 3. Mathias Niederberger played well, making 36 saves in the 5 – 3 loss. This was Andreas Athanasiou’s first game in London since being traded to the Barrie Colts this past summer. The Barrie Colts will not be in action until December 6th when the Sudbury Wolves come to town. Game time is 7:30 at the Barrie Molson Centre. Click here for tickets.
