LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN, COLTS WIN SEVENTH STRAIGHT
The Barrie Colts took on the Kingston Frontenacs in a game that had significant playoff implications for both teams. Entering tonight, Barrie sat four points back of the first place Belleville Bulls while Kingston entered the game tied with the Peterborough Pete’s for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Barrie Colts hung on to win the game by a final score of 4 – 2.
The Frontenacs came out strong in the first period as they out shot Barrie 8 – 0 in the first five minutes of the game. Colts goaltender, Mathias Niederberger kept his team in it while making 19 saves in the first period as the game was scoreless after twenty minutes.
The first goal of the game didn’t arrive until late in the second period as Colts forward Steven Beyers rifled a slap shot by Frontenacs goaltender, Mike Morrison to give the Colts a 1 – 0 lead. The goal came on the power play while Ryan O’Connor and Andreas Athanasiou were credited with the assists.
Just 18 seconds later, the Colts increased their lead to 2 – 0 as Zach Hall went top corner, glove side on a partial breakaway opportunity. Colts forward, Josh MacDonald picked up the lone assist.
In the third period, Kingston would finally solve Niederberger as Darcy Greenaway scored to cut the Colts lead to 2 – 1. Slater Doggett and Marc Beckstead collected the assists on the goal.
The Colts responded as Brendan Lemieux snapped a quick wrist shot by Mike Morrison right off the draw in Kingston’s zone to restore Barrie’s two goal lead. Tyson Fawcett drew the assist on the goal as he won the face-off and made the pass to Lemieux.
Barrie got into penalty trouble late in the third period, as they were shorthanded 5-on-3 for a full two minutes. Kingston would score one as Billy Jenkins took a cross ice pass from Mikko Vainonen and one-timed his shot into the goal to make the score 3 – 2.
Colts forward, Mark Scheifele would eventually add an empty netter to give Barrie a 4 – 2 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs. Mathias Niederberger was outstanding as he made 49 saves for his 35th win of the season. The win for the Colts is their seventh in a row while improving their record to 43-19-2-2.
The Barrie Colts will now hit the road Friday night, as they will take on the Brampton Battalion for their final road game of the season. Game time is 7:30 at the Powerade Centre.
Scotiabank Three Stars
1) Mathias Niederberger
2) Brendan Lemieux
3) Erik Bradford
