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
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
Wildfire smoke blankets Ontario, Quebec, air quality plummets, affects activities
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that's not how prison works: ex-official
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
Sleep, don't scroll: Tips to avoid sleep procrastination
Being a 'sleep procrastinator' might not only make you grumpy the next day, it can put your health at risk. A sleep expert shares tips for making sure bedtime is shut-eye time.
'We've never seen this before': Canada's unprecedented fire season adds pressure to crews
The start to wildfire season is adding pressure to fire crews who for some have been working the last month straight to protect communities in Canada.
Prince Harry back in court for second day of grilling over U.K. tabloid claims
Prince Harry was back in the witness box at the High Court in London on Wednesday for a second day of grilling over his allegations that British tabloids targeted him with phone-hacking and other unlawful behaviour.
IN PHOTOS: Damage, destruction left behind by Halifax-area wildfire
Halifax media outlets were given a tour of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the Tantallon wildfire Tuesday afternoon and saw firsthand the damage and destruction left behind.
Want to know more about the wildfires spreading across Canada? Send us your questions
Wildfires currently burning across parts of Canada are some of the most severe ever witnessed, and experts say the 'unprecedented' fire season will become the new normal. CTVNews.ca wants to hear from Canadians with questions about wildfires, including their health impacts and how to stay safe.
opinion
opinion | Should you take advantage of the First Home Savings Account?
Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how First Home Savings Accounts work, who’s eligible for the program, and outlines the contribution rules.
Atlantic
-
IN PHOTOS: Damage, destruction left behind by Halifax-area wildfire
Halifax media outlets were given a tour of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the Tantallon wildfire Tuesday afternoon and saw firsthand the damage and destruction left behind.
-
Barrington Lake wildfire 'being held,' not expected to move weather permitting
A record-size wildfire in Shelburne County, N.S., isn’t likely to move if conditions don't change, officials say.
-
Nova Scotia estimates up to 100,000 people affected by online security breach
As many as 100,000 Nova Scotians may have had sensitive personal information stolen in a global privacy breach affecting a file transfer system used by the provincial government, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Montreal
-
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that's not how prison works: ex-official
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
-
Westmount nail salon targeted by suspected arson: Montreal police
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a case of suspected arson after a nail salon in Westmount caught fire early Wednesday morning.
-
Wildfire smoke blankets Ontario, Quebec, air quality plummets, affects activities
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
Ottawa
-
Special Air Quality Statement
Special Air Quality Statement | Wildfire smoke blankets Ottawa for a third day
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Ottawa, with the air quality at 10+ "very high risk" at 8;30 a.m.
-
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
-
Ottawa plans to hire 120 new paramedics after record 1,806 'Level Zero' events in 2022
The city of Ottawa is looking to hire 120 new paramedics over the next three years, as the service deals with a record number of 'Level Zero' events, paramedics wait longer to transfer patients in hospitals and the service sees "unprecedented increases" in call volumes.
Toronto
-
Smoke in Toronto from Ontario, Quebec wildfires pushes air quality to 'high-risk' levels
The air quality in Toronto has become so polluted due to forest fires in Quebec and Ontario that strenuous outdoor activities could leave you coughing and with an itchy throat.
-
Widow told misconduct 'not serious' after husband killed by speeding OPP 'outrageous,' critics say
Ontario’s political leaders reacted with surprise that the OPP told a widow whose husband was run over and killed by a speeding officer that the misconduct in the case was 'not serious.'
-
Fatal crash closes lanes on Hwy. 404 north of Toronto
Ontario Provincial Police say they are investigating the circumstances around a crash on Highway 404 in North York that claimed the life of a 23-year-old international student.
Kitchener
-
Waterloo region school boards cancel track meets as air quality expected to reach 'high risk' Wednesday
High levels of air pollution have developed in Waterloo region and Wellington County as smoke plumes from wildfires burning in Quebec and northeastern Ontario continue to blow into the region, Environment Canada says.
-
Plan to build tallest towers in Kitchener sees pushback at neighbourhood meeting
The plan to build what would be the tallest towers in Kitchener came under the scrutiny of those who would be living nearby.
-
OPP turn to Six Nations residence in search for Amber Ellis
The search for Amber Ellis, a Hagersville woman reported missing in March 2021, is returning to the community where she was last seen.
London
-
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
-
'Widespread smoke' prompts special air quality statement
As wildfires continue to burn in Northern Ontario and Quebec, a special air quality statement has been issued for London and surrounding areas.
-
'We are trying to get to Grand Bend': G2 driver charged after travelling 60 km/h over the speed limit
An 18 year old from Kitchener, Ont. is facing stunt driving charges after OPP clocked them allegedly speeding 150 km/h because they were 'trying to get to Grand Bend.'
Northern Ontario
-
Wildfire west of Sudbury prompts evacuation order, total active fires in northern Ont. grows to 54
A northern Ontario forest fire that started west of Sudbury on Sunday morning has grown to more than 1,000 hectares and has prompted officials to issue an evacuation order for the immediate area as the number of active fires in the region grows.
-
3 people attacked by dog in Burlington, animal shot dead by police
A dog has been shot dead by police after three people were attacked in Burlington Tuesday afternoon, police say.
-
Emergency orders expanded in northeast Ont. due to forest fires, evacuation west of Sudbury
While firefighters get more forest fires under control in northern Ontario, travel restrictions declared under an emergency order are being expanded in several communities, including immediate evacuation orders for an area west of Sudbury.
Windsor
-
Body of missing teen found by Windsor police
According to Windsor police, Gabrielle Vinall's body was found and identified in the Fighting Island area.
-
OPP investigating $50,000 jewelry theft
OPP are investigating the theft of $50,000 worth of jewelry from a home in Tecumseh. Around 10 p.m. on May 20, police say someone entered a home on Northfield Way and took the jewelry.
-
E.C. Row Expressway trees being considered to reduce noise
Windsor city council is looking at putting more trees along E.C. Row Expressway to help reduce the noise from traffic for nearby residential areas.
Calgary
-
Emergency crews called to crash on Highway 2 south of Calgary
At least one person is in life-threatening condition following a crash on Highway 2 south of the city, officials have confirmed.
-
Heat warning in place for Calgary and surrounding areas
It's going to get hot in Calgary and several other communities, Environment and Climate Change Canada is warning.
-
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon bakery sees business rise after hiring newcomers from Ukraine
A willingness to hire newcomers to Canada has brought new business to Nestor’s Bakery.
-
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
-
City emails reveal how a Saskatoon shelter was relocated and shed light on early concerns
While Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) publicly mulled moving its downtown emergency shelter to a location on 20th Street near the city's core, city documents reveal the wellness centre's present Fairhaven area location was heavily favoured early in the process.
Edmonton
-
Forest Heights robbery victim shot to death, case officially a homicide
The man who was killed during a robbery in Forest Heights on Monday was shot, an autopsy has confirmed.
-
'We never give up': RCMP helicopter joins search for 14-year-old boy in North Saskatchewan River
An RCMP helicopter is assisting with the search for the 14-year-old boy who went missing in the North Saskatchewan River nearly 48 hours ago.
-
Winless at home in two straight seasons, Elks embracing culture change in 2023
Culture change. Those two words best describe what the Edmonton Elks wanted to accomplish going into the 2023 season.
Vancouver
-
B.C. prepares for fire evacuations, displacements amid healthcare staffing crisis
The officials tasked with preparing for and responding to natural disasters in the province are bracing for widespread evacuations of B.C. communities amid tinder-dry conditions that are already prompting dire wildfire predictions.
-
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
-
Drinking alcohol will be allowed in some Burnaby parks this summer
Visitors will be able to legally drink booze in some Burnaby parks starting June 23, as city councillors voted in favour of an alcohol in parks pilot project on Monday.