Brandon Caputo
@BCaputo_AGM
The Barrie Colts survived a five-minute major penalty in the third period by Evan Passmore for a hit to the head on Niagara's Ethan Czata, while adding a late goal off a broken turnaround shot from former North Bay Battalion star Owen Van Steensel to seal the opener of their Eastern Conference first round playoff matchup, in front of 3676 at the Sadlon Arena.
Both teams would exchange goals back and forth throughout the game in a highly contested matchup between these division rivals who battled six times during the regular season, before Barrie's playoff veteran Anthony Romani would score his second goal of the game for the game winner late in the middle period.
Winnipeg Jets signee and team captain Kevin He got the IceDogs off to a hot start with his first career playoff goal in his first career playoff game, Niagara's first time in the playoffs since April of 2019, with Alex Assadourian tipping in a Matthew Virgilio point shot as the young playoff inexperienced IceDogs were ready for the challenge.
Utah Hockey Club first round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft Cole Beaudoin added Barrie's other tally.
Overage goaltender Owen Flores was sensational doing all he could to keep his team close, stopping 34 of 37 Colts shots that he faced while Sam Hillebrandt stopped 25 of 27 en route to victory, in an all-American goaltender showdown.
Both teams will have a few days of practice and preparation as Game 2 will have to wait until Monday due to a scheduling conflict at Barrie's Sadlon Arena, before a quick turnaround for Game 3 on Tuesday, what will be a rare back-to-back as the series will shift back to Niagara.
