Colts and Battalion meet in Game 7 tonight

The first-ever Game 7 matchup between the North Bay Battalion and Barrie Colts will take place tonight at the North Bay Memorial Gardens as both teams look to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Championship Series.

Down 3-2 in the series entering Monday’s Game 6 matchup in Barrie, Tyler Savard was the hero for the Colts, scoring his second of the game with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. Beau Jelsma was a catalyst for the Barrie offence, scoring while chipping in two assists in the win.

Brandt Clarke continues to be a steady producer for the Colts, entering tonight’s action with a league-leading 23 points (7-16–23) in 11 playoff outings. The LA Kings prospect has a point in all 11 playoff games, powering Barrie’s top-ranked power play that is operating at 33.3 percent. The Colts have their sights set on returning to the Eastern Conference Championship Series for the first time since 2016.

The Colts remain without overage forward Evan Vierling, who left Game 2 of the series with an injury and hasn’t played since.

Across the ice, Dallas Stars prospect Kyle McDonald stands as North Bay’s top goal-scoring threat with his 11 tallies in 12 games. Edmonton Oilers draftee Matvey Petrov has found his goal-scoring touch of late, but has largely been a playmaker throughout the playoffs with 15 assists over 12 games. Seattle Kraken prospect Ty Nelson leads the Troops from the back end with his 16 points (4-12–16) in 12 contests. He enters tonight’s game on a nine-game point streak.

Goaltenders Anson Thornton and Dom DiVincentiis have both had their moments in the series, with the two veterans taking the crease once again tonight.

Coming off a season with 48 wins and 99 points, the Battalion look to continue their best campaign in franchise history with a Game 7 victory tonight.

Tonight marks the third Game 7 in North Bay Battalion history. Their first instance saw them defeat the Niagara IceDogs in the opening round of the 2014 OHL Playoffs before going-on to win an Eastern Conference title. They also bested the Peterborough Petes in Game 7 of the opening round of the 2016 OHL Playoffs at the Gardens.

The Colts prepare for their 10th Game 7 in franchise history, most recently defeating the Mississauga Steelheads in the first round of their 2016 playoff run, eventually reaching the Eastern Conference Final that year. Most notably, the Colts won Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series back in 2000, defeating the Plymouth Whalers 4-2 for their first and only J. Ross Robertson Cup title.

Tonight marks the 13th meeting of the season between North Bay and Barrie, with the Battalion having won eight of the prior 12 contests.

The winner will advance to take on the Peterborough Petes in the Eastern Conference Championship Series.

See tonight’s matchup when the puck drops at 7:00pm on OHL Live!

Game 7, here we come! 🚨

Tyler Savard scores the go-ahead goal with 2:04 left in regulation, tallying his second of the night to help lead the @OHLBarrieColts to a MASSIVE Game 6 victory.#OHLPlayoffs | #NBvsBAR pic.twitter.com/x0w2YjWQYd

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 25, 2023