Colts Doubled Up by Niagara
Niagara captain Ivan Lodnia scored a goal and added three assists handing the Colts a 6-3 loss at home Thursday night.
After the Colts scored two quick goals to start the third period getting themselves back within one goal, the comeback would come to complete halt as Niagara’s Jackson Doherty would pot the extra insurance and the visitors cruised to their first win in fourteen games.
A stellar effort by Icedogs netminder Andrew MacLean would see him turn aside 37 shots in the visitors end, while Jet Greaves would be handed the loss making 25 saves.
Meeting Niagara for the sixth and final time of the season Thursday night, the Colts knew they had to take advantage of the free falling Icedogs. Niagara earning just one point in their last 10 games, getting two points of their own would be crucial as the Colts will face a tough schedule ahead with games versus the Peterborough Petes and the CHL’s number 2 ranked Ottawa 67’s over the weekend.
Early on the Colts controlled the pace leading to the opening goal of the game.
Nearing the midway point of the first Ethan Cardwell would drop to Josh Nelson. Nelson fired a low shot five hole beating MacLean from the bottom of the right circle. His 13th of the season also assisted by Brandt Clarke.
Mason Howard fired from the left wall to tie things up just two minutes later and would rally to take a big lead by the end of the opening twenty.
After a chance at one end the Icedogs came back the other way on a two on one. The initial shot saved by greaves, but with the rebound lying in front, Cameron Butler potted it into the open cage at 14:50 to give the Icedogs the lead.
A costly icing call with just 9 seconds remaining in the opening frame would come back to bite Barrie. The Colts unable to get control off the draw, had the puck bounce loose in front of the Barrie goal and Lodnia would add another marker just before the buzzer to end the period.
The Colts outshot Niagara 18-12, but MacLean was sharp in the first turning aside 17 Colts shots as the Colts trailed 3-1.
Niagara would get the lone goal in the second period to extend their lead to three.
With a delayed penalty upcoming on the Colts, Adrien Beraldo blasted a shot past Greaves at 8:29.
The Colts sustained the majority of the pressure throughout the second half of the middle frame firing shot after shot at Maclean, but headed into the final period still down by three.
Early on the third, Barrie would catch a huge break as the Icedogs would find themselves down two men giving the Colts a 5 on 3 advantage for a minute and a half.
Just before the first penalty would expire, Aidan Brown capitalized for the Colts standing on the doorstep burying his 19th and just two minutes later while back to even strength Clarke made it a one goal game. Nate Allensen sent a pass back to Clarke at the point one timing a slap shot past Maclean for his 5th.
While playing four on four after both teams traded penalties, the Icedogs would respond. Jackson Doherty did it all himself with a toe drag around the Colts defense. He ripped one off the bar and in to put Niagara back ahead by two.
Jake Uberti would add another late to make it a 6-3 final.
The Colts will try to get back in the win column over the weekend as they hit the road east. First they’ll faceoff in the nations capital against the Ottawa 67’s Saturday before a visit with the Peterborough Petes on Sunday.
Tickets for all upcoming Barrie Colts home games can be purchased online, by calling 1-888-655-9090, or in person at the Colts Store.
Join the conversation on all things Colts by using #25Strong. You can also follow the Colts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @OHLBarrieColts
