Barrie Colts gear up for playoff journey without key players in series opener
Playoff hockey has arrived in Barrie, with the Colts opening its best-of-seven series with defending OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs.
"Today, I was pretty excited. I woke up, and I was a little nervous, but it's the same routine. You don't really think about it too much. It's just another game day," said Colts Forward Declan McDonnell.
"When you get to the playoffs, it's simple. You need to worry about the team, and you need to do whatever it takes," added fellow Colts Forward Cole Beaudoin.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Sixteen teams are 16 wins away from becoming part of hockey history or four losses away from careers and seasons ending.
The Colts start that journey Thursday evening without two of their top players.
"I think a lot of guys have to step up, myself included. We are missing a few guys tonight who are key parts of our team," said McDonnell.
Definitely got some top guys out, but you can't do anything about that. There's adversity along the way, and you've just got to keep going," said Beaudoin.
The 16-year-old rookie knows his playoff debut will be an emotional roller coaster, but veterans like Brandt Clarke have told the first-round pick to take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.
"Clarkey definitely, and all the coaching staff has said just stay calm and have fun while you're having it. It's my first playoff, so I'm excited," explained Beaudoin.
"It's just another game. You come in, and you know, obviously, the energy is going to be ramped up. You know the building is going to be excited tonight, so I think you just have to stay even keel. Don't get too high or too low," added McDonnell.
McDonnell, 21, is staring down his final chance at a Memorial Cup and his second career playoff series in three seasons.
He says he will cherish every moment of this experience.
"The regular season ended the other day, and I wasn't too upset because I know we are going to go on a long run here. We are only getting started. It's like a new season, clean slate, so we are hoping to be here for another two and a half months," said McDonnell.
Tickets are still available for game two in Barrie on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.