Colts Sink Steelheads in 4-2 Win
For their third game in three days, the Colts traveled down highway 400 to take on the Mississauga Steelheads in a crucial central division matchup. Coming in to the game, the Colts led the central division with the Steelheads on their tail, only four points behind. With that in mind, the Central Division is a close race, as the Steelheads find themselves in fourth, only four points back of first.
The first period would see both squads net a goal a piece, with the remainder of the goals coming in the third period. Dylan Sadowy had a big game for the Colts as he scored two crucial goals and registered an assist, while Ruan Badenhorst stood strong in goal, stopping 24 of the 26 shots that he faced. Justin Scott and Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Colts. Rasmus Andersson had three assists in the Colts win, while Kevin Labanc and Julius Nattinen each recorded two assists on their own and Roy Radke notched one assist.
In the first minute, the Colts had a close chance as Radke threw the puck on net and Scott nearly tapped in the rebound. His attempt went just wide to Sadowy, but he too couldn’t corral the puck and put it home, keeping it scoreless early. Then, at 14:40 just after a Colts power play expired, Nattinen fired a one-timer from the slot but Jack Flinn came up with a huge save.
The Colts would get on the board first just under 11:30 left in the period. After the faceoff was won into the corner, Radke faked out a Steelheads defenseman in the corner. Radke walked out to the bottom of the circle and fed Scott breaking through the slot. Scott made no mistake and beat Flinn for the Colts first of the game, Scott’s 19th of the season. Sadowy also assisted on the Colts goal.
The duo of Mangiapane and Labanc nearly had a chance when Mangiapane fed a slick pass through the Steelheads defensemen. Labanc, who snuck around the defensive layer, nearly had his backhand shot beat Flinn, but couldn’t get enough on the shot.
After holding the Steelheads to only 2 shots early in the first period, the Steelheads tied the game up on their first power play with 7 minutes to play in the first period. After Mangiapane was penalized for tripping, Nylander regrouped the play just outside the Colts blue line and he walked in down the left side. Nylander used the Colts defenseman as a screen and fired a shot right over Badenhorst’s blocker. Nathan Bastian and Josh Burnside assisted Nylander’s 25th goal of the season that tied the game 1-1.
Despite the first period starting out with the Colts outshooting the Steelheads, the second half of the period was all Mississauga as the Steelheads outshot the Colts 12 to 10 in the first 20.
The second period would see chances from both teams. For the Colts, at 8:50, they had a beautiful chance on the power play. After Andersson fired a shot from the blue line, the rebound came to Labanc who in turn fed a no-look backhand pass to Nattinen. Nattinen’s one timer was right on target, but Flinn somehow got across to make the post to post blocker save.
Only moments later after the Colts power play expired, the Steelheads turned it the other way and had a great chance of their own. After Scott blocked the first point shot, the Steelheads got the puck on net again. Michael McLoed was in the slot and nearly got the rebound as he was diving for the rebound but could only get a backhand on it, but it wouldn’t be enough.
The second period would end in a 1-1 tie, as neither team’s offence was able to produce anything. The Colts did outshoot the Steelheads 10 to 3 in the period, 20 to 16 over 40 minutes.
The Colts would regain the lead early in the third period. Only 1:45 in and on the power play, Sadowy would find the back of the net for the 7th time in only six games with the Colts. Labanc and Nattinen would assist on the Colts go-ahead power play goal, making it a 2-1 game.
Soon after the Colts goal, they nearly had another as Keigan Goetz went in hard on the forecheck and was able to beat the Steelheads defenseman, coming out with the puck. After Goetz’ shot was blocked, it went to the point to Webster. Webster fired a one-timer on net and Stefano was nearly able to extend the Colts lead as he tapped the rebound just wide.
The Colts would extend their lead though 9:35 into the period and on the power play again. After some smooth passing from the Colts, Andersson would fire a hard shot form the point of which Sadowy would redirect home in the slot. The 3-1 goal would mark Sadowy’s 6th multi-goal game this season, and would be his 28th goal of the season. Andersson’s assist would extend his point-streak to 3 games, as well as marking 14 points in only 11 games in January.
With 1:45 to play in the game, the Steelheads pulled Jack Flinn for an extra attacker. Nylander would create a great chance for the Steelheads as he walked through the middle and fired a shot on net. Badenhorst came up with two huge saves, shutting the door on numerous Steelheads whacks at the puck.
After Ben Hawerchuk took a slashing penalty with 1:09 to play and the Steelheads net empty, the Steelheads were able to cut the Colts lead to one goal at 1:03. After the Steelheads won the draw back to Nylander, he went d-to-d with Nicolas Hague and Hague made no mistake as he blasted home his 6th goal of the season, making it 3-2.
Then, in the last minute of play, the Colts would seal the deal as Andersson was able to get the puck out of the Colts zone, and Mangiapane was able to beat the Steelheads defence to put home the Colts 4th goal of the game. Mangiapane’s goal would be his 27th of the season, and would extend his point streak to 12 games. In that time, he has tallied 11 goals and 12 assists.
Colts rookie goalie, Badenhorst, had a solid afternoon as he stopped 24 of the 26 shots that he faced. Meanwhile, Steelheads netminder, Jack Flinn, stopped 28 of the 31 shots that he saw. Both teams went 2 for 7 on their power play chances, with both Colts power play goals coming in the third period from Sadowy.
The Colts grab their second road win of 2016 with their win over the Steelheads and move to 27-16-0-2 on the season. They will look towards next weekend when travel to take on the Oshawa Generals on Friday night, and return home for a big matchup against the Niagara IceDogs on Saturday night. For tickets to Saturday night’s game, visit the BMC Box Office or www.ticketbreak.com.
