Steelheads prevail in final preseason game
Barrie ON – Despite missing ten players to NHL camps, the Steelheads depth prevailed as they secured their first win of the preseason.
Just over 5 minutes in, the steelheads got their first quality chance of the game when Reed Gee wired one off the post from the blueline.
Right before the halfway point in the opening frame Colts forward Chris Grisolia clipped Lucas Karmiris up high, drawing blood, which sent the Trout to an extended powerplay. The Steelheads struggled to get set up on the ensuing man advantage allowing the Colts to kill it off.
The Colts came close to the ice breaker on a centering feed from Kashawn Aitcheson intended for Tai York, but a quick poke from Manuel Amado kept the game tied.
Barrie hounded the Steelheads in their own zone near the end of the period, but a couple big saves from Jack Ivankovic kept the game scoreless.
Things got chippy at the end of the opening frame when Porter Martone laid a hit after the horn, resulting in a Colts powerplay to start the second.
A huge save from Jack Ivankovic helped the Steelheads kill off the penalty.
Sparking off the energy they gained from the kill, Manuel Amado continued his strong performance finishing off an odd-man rush to secure the ice breaker for the Trout.
Just over two minutes later Parker Vaughan answered back for Barrie, wiring one by Ivankovic to tie the game.
The Steelheads found themselves back on the powerplay courtesy of a hook from Aitcheson, but they came out empty handed yet again.
The third period started off quiet but around the halfway point in the period Barrie built some pressure in the offensive zone, but Ivankovic stayed composed, making a few key saves to preserve the tie.
Tempers boiled over just over half way through the final frame as a scrum started following a hit on Parker Vaughan. The melee resulted in a five on three advantage for the Steelheads, as both Aitcheson and Vaughan were ejected from the contest.
The Steelheads powerplay would not come up short this time as Parker Von Richter rifled a one-timer by Jaswal to give the Trout the lead.
Roenick Jodoin found Tai York in front of the net but Ivankovic sprawled across the crease to deny the Colts the equalizer.
The Colts pushed late with the net empty as they looked to force overtime, but the Steelheads held strong to preserve the 2-1 victory.
The Steelheads look to start the season off strong at their home opener September 27 against the Brantford Bulldogs. Secure your tickets here!
