Feb 15, 2016 | Dave Taylor | 1234 views
Colts take series 7 points to 3 against the North Central Predators.
The Sports Medicine Minor Midget AAA Barrie Colts were in Rama on Sunday to try to close out their first round OMHA series against the North Central Predators.
In a series that has been a great example of hard hitting, close, playoff hockey it was no surprise that Sundays game saw a come back by the Colts and a series decided in overtime.
The series started on February 2nd in Rama as the Predators hosted game one.
The Colts opened the scoring in the second period as the Colts scored late and held a 1-0 lead into the third period. The Colts scored again early in the third before the Preds answered back on the power play and defence took over as the Colts held on to secure the win. A late empty net goal gave the Colts a 3-1 win and a two points lead in the series.
For game 2 the teams headed to Barrie and hit the ice at the Holy Recreation Center. The Colts came out firing the puck but could not find the back of the net on many great chances. The Preds took a 1-0 lead early in the 3rd period. The Colts tied the game at the 6 minute mark and the game appeared to be headed to overtime. But with just 11 seconds left in regulation, the Preds found a way to beat the Barrie defence and scored to take game two by a score of 2-1.
On February 10th it was back to Rama for game 3. Once again the teams came out firing the puck and hitting hard but neither team could find the back of the net. The Preds scored first at the 4 minute mark of the first period. The Colts tied the game at the two minute mark of the second and the team remained tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation. Nothing was decided after a 10 minute period of overtime and the teams were headed back to Barrie tied at 3 points in a race to 6.
Game 4 finally saw the Colts offence come to life and the hard work pay off on the game sheet. The Colts opened the scoring at the 12 minute mark of the first period but the Preds answered back just 1 minute later. The Colts offence then took over and exploded for 5 goals in the rest of the first and second periods. The preds got one back early in the third and then the game took a different twist at 6-2 Colts. In a physical affair that saw bodies flying and gloves dropping, the Colts held the edge on the game sheet and took the 6-2 win and a 5-3 lead points.
Game 5 was back to Rama and the Colts having a chance to close out the series with a win or tie.
The Colts came out flying and took a quick 2-0 lead. But as anyone who has followed this series would know, the Preds were not going to quit or give up. The Preds exploded for 4 goals and held a 4-2 lead at the end of two periods.
The Colts answered back just 21 seconds into the third period and continued to battle to tie the game. Their hard work paid off at the 15 minute mark of the third and the game was tied at 4-4.
Once again the teams were off to overtime and a chance for Barrie to take the series.
At the 5 minute mark of overtime, the Colts found the back of the net while on a power play and took the series 7 points to 3.
Congratulations to the Predators on a great series and a bigger congrats to the Colts players on their hard work during the first round.
The Colts will play Kingston starting next weekend with a spot in the OMHA championship tournament on the line.
Go Colts Go !!!