Third period goals push Colts past Attack
The Colts welcomed the Owen Sound Attack to the Barrie Molson Centre for the second meeting of the season between the two teams, and the only Monday night hockey game in the OHL. The Colts lost their first meeting against the Attack this season 6-1 in Owen Sound, but did win last season’s head to head match up 4 games to 2.
Tonight, the Colts charged back in the third period and were able to score twice after being down 1-0 for their fourth win in a row. Andrew Mangiapane scored and added an assist, while Jonathan Laser scored his first goal of the season. Kevin Labanc, Michael Webster and Garrett Hooey each had assists in tonight’s game. Mackenzie Blackwood got his 15th win of the season tonight, stopping 29 of 30 shots faced, earning himself first star of the game.
Attack goalie, Michael McNiven stopped 31 of the 33 shots he faced, while earning third star of the game.
The first period ended in a scoreless draw, with the Attack outshooting the Colts 10-7. Blackwood was tested early, and coming off of a 26 save shut out performance against the Guelph Storm Sunday night, he was able to go 20 more minutes without letting one past.
But with four minor penalties in the second period alone, the Attack we’re able to sneak one past Blackwood. Just over five minutes in to the second period and on the man advantage, Ethan Szypula got the puck to Thomas Schemitsch on the point. Schemitsch fired it home from the blue line for his 6th goal of the season.
The Colts outshot the Attack 16-11 in the second period, but McNiven stood on his head in net for the Attack and came up with some key saves.
Starting the third period on the power play, the Colts were to break McNiven and put one home. Webster got the puck up to Labanc who was breaking down the right side. Labanc threw a wrist shot on net and the rebound came to Mangiapane in the slot. Mangiapane made no mistake and put home his 21st goal of the season, also marking his 100th point as a Barrie Colt. And with that assist, Labanc extended his point streak to 20 games, where he has now registered 12 goals and 26 assists dating back to the start of November.
With less than 8 minutes to go in the third period, Jonathan Laser would score his first goal of the season, going top shelf off a slap shot. Mangiapane and Hooey would get the assists on the go-ahead goal.
With just over 3 minutes left in the game, Joseph Blandisi would get called for a tripping penalty. The Attack pulled McNiven for the extra attacker, but they weren’t able to make good with their chances.
Tonight’s game also marked a career milestone for Justin Scott, as he played in his 150th regular season game with the Colts.
The Colts are now 9 and 1 in their last 10 games, and move to 20-12-1-1 on the season. They are back at the Barrie Molson Centre on New Years Eve to take on the Belleville Bulls. Puck drops at 7:30pm.
