Storm scores three third period goals to hand the Colts their first loss of the pre-season
In their fourth 2014 pre-season game, the Barrie Colts looked to stay undefeated as they welcomed the 2013-2014 OHL Champions Guelph Storm to town. Despite holding the lead for the majority of the game, the Storm put home two late goals and an empty net goal to beat the Colts 3-1.
Josh Carrick scored the lone goal for the Colts, while Pius Suter, Justin Auger and Robby Fabbri each had goals for the Storm.
Late in the first period, Carrick finished on a slap shot from the blue line for his first pre-season goal. CJ Garcia crossed the blue line and dropped the puck to Matthew Kreis who fed Carrick on the point to open the scoring.
The Colts one goal lead extended into the third period as neither team was able to find the back of the net in the second period. Starting Colts goalie, Mackenzie Blackwood, was strong in goal for the Colts during the second, robbing Guelph’s Zac Leslie with a glove save half way through the period, and shutting the door on Guelph’s power play opportunities. Guelph outshot Barrie 21-15 after two periods of play.
The Colts had a scoring chance just before the halfway mark of the third period when Ben Hawerchuk hit the post after he tipped a point shot from Rocky Kaura.
With just under 7 minutes to play in the third, the Storm tied the game on a 5-on-3 man advantage. Pius Suter finished on a quick passing play in the slot. Robby Fabbri and Garrett McFadden had the assists on the power play goal.
Two minutes later the Storm took their first lead of the game when they broke in on a 3 on 1. McFadden set up Justin Auger who finished a quick snap shot over Blackwood’s glove.
The Colts had another late chance in the third when Justin Scott tipped Garcia’s point shot but put it just wide of the net.
In the last minute, the Colts pulled Blackwood to play up a man, but were unable to capitalize. The Storm solidified their win with an empty net goal from Fabbri, making it a 3-1 final.
Guelph outshot the Colts 39-23 over three periods of play, and the Colts now have three wins and one loss in pre-season play.
The Colts are back in action on Thursday, September 11th at 7:30 to face the Sudbury Wolves in their last home game of the pre-season.
