Game Recap: Colts comeback to beat Fronts in OT 4-3. #OHL

Last night the Barrie Colts opened their 2015-16 regular season as they faced the Frontenacs in Kingston. What was expected by many to be an easy win for the Colts ended up being a fight to the closing moments in overtime.

First Period: Kingston came out strong in the first period landing 15 shots on goal. Blackwood was forced to stand on his head but was very strong (even had some help from the posts). Despite many great chances, the Fronts would only score one goal in the frame at 16:27 when Chad Duchesne would score the lone goal of the period.

The Colts were held off the score sheet after the first period and only managed to get 5 shots on goal. Kingston would go into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Second Period: Despite getting 4 chances on the power play the Colts would only manage to get 4 shots on goal in the second period. At 4:17, Andrew Mangiapane would score the Colts first goal of the season and tie the game 1-1. Justin Scott got an assist on the goal.

Chernyuk would take a interference penalty a little more than half way through the period which would see the Colts back on the PP. This time, the Colts newly named captain Michael Webster would score his first of the season to give the Colts their first lead of the season 2-1. Scott was credited with his second assist of the night and James would also get an assist.

The second period ended with the Colts up 2-1 despite being out shot 15-4 in the period ad 30-9 through two periods.

Third Period: Colts had a lot of penalty troubles in the third.. Prepare your shocked face..

Kingston would make them pay on their first PP opportunity of the period. Lemmikko would score his first of the season to tie the game 2-2.

A little more than four minutes later the Fronts would take the lead back when Ryan Cranford scored his first OHL goal. Fronts take a 3-2 lead.

Late in the period the Colts got another chance on the power play and it would be the captain Mike Webster who would take advantage and rip a shot from just under the point to tie the game 3-3 with just under three minutes remaining in the frame. That would be enough to send the game to 3 on 3 overtime!

Though they spent SO MUCH TIME IN THE BOX, the Colts managed to get 15 shots on goal.

Overtime: Webster would take a hooking call 23 seconds into overtime. For those still getting used to the new 3 on 3 overtime rules, that means that the Frontenacs were allowed to add a fourth player on the ice. Luckily, the Colts were able to kill off the penalty.

 3:33 into OT it would be Chicago Blackhawks prospect Roy Radke who would score the game winner. Colts win the season opener 4-3!

Notes:

• Barrie was out shot 45-27.
• Webster, Mangiapane, Scott and James all got two points each. 
• Barrie killed off 7 of 8 penalties
• Barrie went 2 for 6 on the power play

3 Stars of the Game:

1. Roy Radke (Colts; GWG, 4 SOG)
2. Juho Lammikko (Frontenacs: 1G, 1A, 5 SOG)
3. Mackenzie Blackwood (Colts: 42 saves)

Box Score:

(courtesy of OHL)

The next Colts game is this Sunday in Ottawa when the Colts face the 67's at 3:00pm.