Thursday Highlights: Colts keep climbing

Thursday February 4, 2016

The Barrie Colts were off to the races on Thursday night, dominating off the rush to defeat the visiting Oshawa Generals 4-1 for their 30th victory of the season.

Barrie’s fourth straight win and sixth in their last seven games pulled them to within two points of first place Kingston in the Eastern Conference as Andrew Mangiapane, Giordano Finoro, Cordell James and Dylan Sadowy all had goals.

The Colts are currently in the hunt for their second straight Central Division title and seventh in franchise history as they remain six points ahead of second place North Bay with 20 games left on the regular season schedule.

Here’s a look at Thursday night’s action across the league.

BARRIE 4 OSHAWA 1 – The Barrie Colts scored all four of their goals off the rush on Thursday, defeating the Oshawa Generals 4-1 for their fourth straight victory. Dylan Sadowy extended his goal scoring streak to eight games while Andrew Mangiapane, Giordano Finoro and Cordell James also scored. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood helped the Colts earn their 30th win of the season with a 25-save performance. Joe Manchurek provided Oshawa’s lone goal as the Generals kick off the weekend clinging to a three point lead on Hamilton for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

NIAGARA 3 LONDON 2 – The Niagara IceDogs didn’t roll over on Thursday, clawing back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the London Knights 3-2 on home ice. J.J. Piccinich and Christian Dvorak opened the scoring with first period powerplay markers, but the rest of the night would belong to the IceDogs as second period goals from Johnny Corneil and Vince Dunn knotted things at two before Anthony DiFruscia buried the third period winner. Niagara outshot London 34-18 as DiFruscia, Josh Ho-Sang and Corneil took three star recognition in descending order. The IceDogs are now locked in a third place tie with North Bay in the Eastern Conference to kick off a three-in-three weekend that continues on Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey in Kitchener.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

SAULT STE. MARIE 5 NORTH BAY 2 – The Soo Greyhounds responded to a 2-0 deficit by scoring five unanswered in North Bay on Thursday, defeating the Battalion 5-2 behind a pair of goals from Boris Katchouk. The Hounds’ second win in North Bay in the past month also included goals from Zach Senyshyn, Blake Speers and Bobby MacIntyre. The Troops failed to collect a point for the first time in seven games, with Mike Amadio’s 30th goal of the season serving as a bright spot along with a goal from Daniil Vertiy. Minnesota Wild prospect Gustav Bouramman and draft eligible winger Tim Gettinger each had two assists for the Greyhounds who sit one point back of Owen Sound for sixth in the Western Conference.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

PETERBOROUGH 4 HAMILTON 1 – Carolina Hurricanes prospect Kyle Jenkins had three assists as the Peterborough Petes defeated visiting Hamilton 4-1. Goaltender Matthew Mancina made 32 saves to earn second star honours while Hunter Garlent had a goal and two assists to help lead the Petes to their seventh win in the past 10 games. Adam Timleck, Josh Coyle and Dominik Masin also found the back of the net for the maroon and black who are just two points out of a home ice advantage playoff position. The Petes have taken three of their four meetings against Hamilton so far this season.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

WINDSOR 6 SUDBURY 1 – Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Fischer scored twice and added an assist while draft eligible blueliner Mikhail Sergachev scored and added two helpers in a 6-1 win over the Sudbury Wolves. The Spits outshot Sudbury 40-17 as Brendan Lemieux, Cole Carter and Luke Boka also tickled the twine. Goaltender Mario Culina made 16 saves and recorded a pair of assists in the victory as Windsor sits five points ahead of second place Sarnia in the West Division. Danny Desrochers’ 13th goal of the season was the lone marker for Sudbury.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS