Colts Score Four Unanswered Goals in 4-2 Win Over Frontenacs
The Colts would finish off their last game in their three-in-three weekend in winning fashion as they welcomed the Kingston Frontenacs to the Barrie Molson Centre Saturday evening. Despite going down 2-0 early in the first period, the Colts found their scoring touch and put home four goals en route to a 4-2 victory.
Roy Radke would score three goals, notching his first hat trick in the OHL, and Kevin Labanc would add the other Colts goal as he scored his third goal of the season. Julius Nattinen and Cordell James would each tally a pair of assists in the win, while Justin Scott and Andrew Mangiapane each had an assist. Justin Murray also registered his first OHL point, grabbing an assist on Radke’s first goal.
Although the outcome of the game was favourable for the Colts, it wasn’t the start the Colts imagined for their second home game of the season. Just over six minutes into the game, the Colts were already down 2-0 after Spencer Watson and Ted Nichol scored for the Frontenacs.
But with less than four minutes to go in the first period, momentum would shift back to the Colts when Radke put home his first goal of the game on the power play. Radke snapped a shot past Frontenacs goaltender, Lucas Peressini, off a pass from Nattinen. Murray would also have an assist on the Colts first goal.
The Frontenacs outshot the Colts in the first period 15 to 11, but that wouldn’t stick for long. The Colts would dominate the second period, adding their lone even strength goal of the game from Labanc, only 4:33 into the period, and outshooting the Frontenacs 23 to 12 over 20 minutes. For Labanc’s third goal of the season, Scott fed Mangiapane, who in turn made a great cross-ice pass to a speedy Labanc breaking down the right side. Labanc beat the defensemen and went top shelf after a head fake to tie the game at 2-2.
The Colts would break the tie nearly five minutes into the third period while on the penalty kill. James broke up the Frontenacs breakout and made the play to get the puck to Radke who was breaking into the slot, and he would make no mistake. Radke’s short-handed goal would be the first short-handed goal for the Colts this season, and would ultimately be the game winning goal.
Then on the power play only five minutes later, Radke’s finished off his hat trick. Nattinen and Radke would connect again when Nattinen made a great feed through the slot to Radke who was waiting on the doorstep to put it home. Radke’s goal extended the Colts lead to 4-2. James also had an assist on the goal.
The Colts special teams were very effective Saturday night, going 2 for 3 on the power play, scoring a short handed goal, and shutting the door on the Frontenacs on their one power play opportunity. For the first time this season, the Colts would have two minutes total in penalty minutes, as they only registered one minor penalty.
With Saturday night’s win, the Colts move to 4-1-0-0 on the season, and earn their first win at home.
The Colts are back at it on Thursday, October 8th as they travel to Niagara to face the Ice Dogs. On Saturday, October 10th, the Colts return to the BMC to take on the Ottawa 67’s. For Colts tickets, visit the BMC Box Office or click here.
