Joel Vanderlaan @jovanderlaan
The Kingston Frontenacs remained perfect on home ice this postseason, with a 9–4 win over the Barrie Colts on Thursday night at Slush Puppie Place. With the victory, Kingston has fought back to even the best-of-seven second-round series at two games apiece.
After allowing 13 goals through the first two games in Barrie, the Frontenacs flipped the script in Kingston, outscoring the Colts 14–7.
For the first time in the series, the Colts opened the scoring, with Emil Hemming beating Charlie Schenkel on a wraparound at the 9:44 mark of the first period. But Kingston answered before the end of the frame, as right winger Tuomas Uronen found the equalizer to send the teams into the intermission tied 1–1.
Early in the second period, captain Quinton Burns jumped out of the penalty box and buried a partial breakaway to give Kingston its first lead of the night. Just 32 seconds later, Uronen struck again to make it 3–1. World Junior gold medalist Joey Willis then extended the lead with his first goal of the postseason, forcing a goaltending change for Barrie.
Sam Hillebrandt, who was named OHL Goaltender of the Week after leading the Colts to a 2–0 series lead, was replaced by Ben Hrebik.
Hrebik is ranked 19th among North American goalies in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings. He started Game 3 on Tuesday.
The Frontenacs weren’t done. Uronen notched his hat trick marker, to blow the game wide open.
After five unanswered goals from Kingston, Edmonton Oilers prospect Dalyn Wakely finally got one back for Barrie. Cedrick Guindon closed out the middle frame with his ninth goal of the playoffs to make it 6–2 after 40 minutes.
Barrie tried to rally in the third period with a power-play goal from Beau Jelsma and another from Wakely, but it was too little, too late. Gage Heyes, Cal Uens, and Matthew Soto each added tallies to put the game out of reach.
Schenkel made 16 saves in the win, while Burns and Uronen both NHL-drafted prospects both finished the night with four points. Kingston outshot Barrie 47–20.
The now best-of-three series shifts back to Sadlon Arena in Barrie for Game 5 on Saturday night.
