Four Leaf Clovered 🍀
Brampton, ON- The Brampton Steelheads shamrocked the Barrie Colts, 4-1, in their St. Patrick’s Day game. Porter Martone got the game-winning goal late in the second to set the Trout up to go three unanswered.
After a big win on Wednesday against the Peterborough Petes, the Steelheads were feeling lucky as they took on the Colts in their sixth and final matchup of the regular season. Building off Wednesday night’s energy, the Trout continued their high pressure offense to put the Colts on their back foot and secure the win.
With both teams nearing full strength, the opening period was evenly matched, as no scoring occurred at either end. Despite the game remaining at zero, the period was not without action, as impressive scoring opportunities arose, and special teams made sure to shake things up.
The Steelheads held an edge on the Colts as they maintained puck possession deep in the offensive zone. The Trout, utilizing their physicality and power forwards, had several close opportunities to take the lead; however, Ben Hrebik proved his strength by remaining tall between the pipes.
Angus MacDonell had the period’s best scoring chance after a feed from Porter Martone sent him onto the breakaway. Although he came close, Hrebik covered him off with a great glove save. Again, while no scoring occurred, tensions were high leading to another stretch of 4-on-4 after Martone and Grayson Tiller’s roughing penalties. Yet, the Trout got the advantage to close out the period after Evan Passmore was called for tripping.Â
Jack Ivankovic vs. Ben Hrebik was the theme of the second as the goalies squared off in several save sequences. Yet, the Steelheads struck first and got one past the Barrie netminder.
Aidan Lane led the rush into the Colts’ zone before passing it to Lucas Karmiris for the initial scoring attempt. Hrebik covered them off, sending the puck back to Parker Von Richter for a few shots on net. While his first shot rebounded back to him off Hrebik, the second shot on goal was picked up by Lane out front and sent to Karmiris. With all the traffic out front, Karmiris snuck it past Hrebik five-hole to secure the icebreaker.
The Trout lead did not last long as the Colts followed through with a goal of their own shortly after. A failed clearing attempt sent the puck to the corner, allowing Anthony Romani to pick it up and send it to Dalyn Wakely in the high slot. Getting covered off by the defence, Wakely passed it over to Owen Van Steensel, who beat Ivankovic on the blocker side with an open lane.
Tied at one, it was anyone’s game but with the Steelheads offensive pressure building, the momentum shifted in favour of the Trout. Brampton’s dynamic duo was back in action after Carson Rehkopf set Martone up for the game winner.
Picking up his rebound, Rehkopf brought it around the faceoff circle before passing it down to Martone, who was waiting on the doorstep. After settling the puck down, Martone fired it over Hrebik’s shoulder.
The Steelheads continued this pace into the third to go three unanswered. Ivankovic also made several saves to keep the Colts’ score at one. Combining the netminder’s efforts with two more goals to extend the Trout’s lead to four, there was no doubt in the eventual Brampton victory.
Jack Van Volsen got the Steelhead’s insurance goal off a nice set up from Mason Zebeski. After battling in the corner to get the puck, Zebeski sent it to Van Volsen for the one-timer. Redeeming himself from the breakaway attempt in the first, MacDonell got the game’s final goal with a one-timer of his own.
MacDonell rushed into the offensive zone before he sent the puck back to Lane at the point. Finding MacDonell down low, Lane sent over the puck to set up the Dallas Stars’ prospect for the one-timer to close the game and the Trout victory.
The Steelheads look to continue this momentum on the road as they face Niagara on Sunday and Brantford on Wednesday. The Trout return home on Friday, March 21 for their Country Night game against the Peterborough Petes. For tickets, click here.
