Barrie Colts feel good about efforts in Playoffs despite season-ending loss
Despite Sunday's season-ending loss, the Barrie Colts are feeling good about their effort in the first round of the OHL Playoffs against the Oshawa Generals.
"It sucks to lose out," said Colts captain Beau Jelsma. "We were playing against the number one seed, and we gave it our all. To take it to six games is impressive."
The Colts cleared their lockers after getting blanked 3-0 in Sunday's Game 6 against the Eastern Conference's top team.
"Our guys played great," said Sam Hillebrandt, who led all goaltenders with a .938 save percentage in the first round. "Our defence especially. They're putting their body on the line, trying to block as many pucks as possible."
Players and coaches also held their exit meetings before turning the page to the offseason.
"You need effort, and you need luck," said Colts head coach and general manager Marty Williamson. "I got the effort from my guys. I'm proud of them. The luck wasn't quite there for us."
For players like Cole Beaudoin, who are in their draft year, it is the start of a busy spring and summer ahead of June's NHL Draft.
"That's what you dream about since you're a kid, getting drafted into the NHL," said the Colts forward, who tallied 5 points in the series. "I have a positive mindset. I'm pretty happy with how my year went."
For over-age defenseman Thomas Stewart, it is the end of his junior hockey career.
"I just try and pay it forward for some of the young guys," said Stewart, who injured his ankle in Game 6 after falling awkwardly into the boards. "This is my second time being one of the older guys on a very young team, and I think guidance helps."
Stewart and goaltender Ben West are the only two graduating players on the Colts roster. Therefore, players and coaches expect to improve from this season's eighth-place finish in the regular season and first-round exit in the playoffs.
"We think we're going to have a heck of a hockey team," added Williamson. "But again, we have a lot of hard work to do if we want to be one of the top teams next year."
The Colts hold the 5th overall pick in the OHL Draft this upcoming weekend, which is their highest pick since selecting Brandt
Clarke at fourth overall in 2019.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.