Game Preview: Niagara vs Barrie

Niagara’s division rival, Barrie Colts, will be coming to town this evening for a matchup set to take place at 7:00pm. Barrie is currently leading the season series 3-2 and with this game being the last of the season between these two teams, expect Niagara to come out guns blazing in an attempt to even the series.

With only nine games remaining in the regular season, the IceDogs find themselves in a safe position in the Eastern Conference and are setting their sights on potential postseason matchups. If the season were to end today, Niagara would be facing off against the Mississauga Steelheads, which would prove to be an exciting divisional matchup and one that would favour Niagara as the standings currently indicate. 

Powerplay Threat

The Colts should be cautious not to take too many penalties in this one. Niagara has one of the best powerplays in the league which is ranked fifth with a PP% of 23.3. If that wasn’t enough, Barrie has the highest average penalty minutes per game with 16.1 (approximately eight penalties taken per game). The IceDogs may be able to put the Colts away early if their opposition does not stay disciplined. 

Players to Watch

Colts’ right winger Kevin Labanc has had a season to remember in his last year in the OHL. The 20 year old leads the league in points (112) and assists (76) in 56 games played. He has already beaten his previous career high of 107 points and has played 12 less games to date. Labanc had recorded at least one point in all but one contest last month. He is currently on a four game point streak which has seen him register two goals and seven assists. The San Jose Sharks prospect has put together an impressive career, getting on the scoresheet 254 times in 189 games in the league.

Stephen Harper put together four multi-point games in the month of February, his most notable outing being against Guelph when he buried two goals and added three assists. Harper was named the game’s first star with five points, six shots on goal, and a plus/minus of three. The 6’3 Burlington, ON native is a hair away from the point-per-game marker (0.98) as he has put together a great season, recording 58 points in 59 games.

Team Stats