Colts fall to Fronts
Article courtesy of www.thebarrieexaminer.com
With the division wrapped up, the Barrie Colts were looking for a victory and a piece of history.
They weren’t able to accomplish either on Saturday.
Joseph Blandisi scored his 52nd goal of the season, but couldn’t match the franchise record in a 4-2 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs.
“It kind of reminds us of the game we had against Niagara on (trade) deadline day,” said Colts alternate captain Garrett Hooey. “I just don’t think we were mentally prepared to play today.
“But if we go on a long playoff run, no one will remember this game.”
Barrie had clinched the Central Division title on Thursday night with a point in St. Catharines, and it may not have come into Saturday’s contest with the same urgency.
“I don’t think the preparation was there for us tonight,” Blandisi said. “It was a nothing game and it got treated like that, which should never happen.
“Any time you touch the ice, you should be giving your complete effort, and I don’t think we did that tonight, which is embarrassing.”
The Colts honoured their overagers before the game, and although both Hooey and Jonathan Laser had been in Barrie longer, the last billing – and largest ovation – was reserved for Blandisi.
With his family in attendance, Blandisi came into the evening at 51 goals, just two short of the Colts single-season franchise record of 53 set by Bryan Cameron in 2009-10.
While all eyes were watching the New Jersey Devils signee, the first goal of the night would go to Justin Scott, who took a pass from Stephen Nosad and beat a defender wide before deking out Kingston starter Lucas Peressini to make it 1-0 Barrie.
That marker gave Barrie five 30-goal scorers (Blandisi, Andrew Mangiapane, Brendan Lemieux, Kevin Labanc and Scott) on the season.
Later in the opening period, Blandisi picked off a pass behind the Kingston net and tried to set up Andrew Mangiapane in front of the goal, but the puck never reached the winger.
Mangiapane returned the favour a few minutes after.
Just as Mangiapane was being taken to the ice, he swept the puck across the middle to Blandisi, who one-timed a shot past Lucas Peressini to make it 2-0 Barrie and pick up his 52nd goal of the year.
“We’ve got a pretty high-powered offence and he’s a treat to watch,” Hooey said.
