Colts gear up for Game 3 against IceDogs with star defenceman set to return

The Barrie Colts are getting set for Game 3 against the Niagara IceDogs with the return of a star defenceman.

The Barrie Colts were back on the ice Monday morning as their first round OHL playoff series against the Niagara IceDogs shifts to St. Catharines this week.

Saturday’s back-and-forth Game 2 ended with Hayden Reid beating goaltender Arvin Jaswal for the overtime winner, which sealed a 4-3 Niagara win and tied the series at 1-1.

“You have to move on very quickly,” said Dylan Smoskowitz, Colts head coach. “That’s what our group did. We had a good day off yesterday. We’ll have a good day of practice today. And we’ll be fully healthy and ready to go for Game 3.”

The good news for the Colts is they will be moving on with Kashawn Aitcheson, co-captain, returning to their lineup.

The star defenceman was suspended for Games 1 and 2 for exceeding the league’s fighting threshold.

“Watching those first two games, you watch your brothers go to war and you feel like you can’t help them out and have their back out there,” said Aitcheson. “I’m excited to get out there with them.”

“Everyone plays different having him in the lineup with his physical presence,” added Brad Gardiner, Colts forward and assistant captain. “I think all the boys are excited and pumped to have him back.”

Aitcheson rejoins a leadership group that has made its mark on the series so far, as Gardiner and Cole Beaudoin, co-captain, have four points each.

Special teams have also been a factor. Barrie will look to continue cashing in on a power play that has gone 3-for-6.

“We didn’t really get set up always, we had some trouble breaking in sometimes. But we’re just sticking with it,” said Gardiner, who tallied a power play goal and assist on Saturday. “In the playoffs, everyone knows it’s not going to be the prettiest.”

On the other hand, the Colts will need to improve a penalty kill that gave up two goals in Game 2, and slow down Riley Patterson, former teammate, who had a goal and three points in the contest.

“It all starts with discipline. If you’re going to save a goal, if you’re going to make a play that is a worthy play, okay fine, we’re going to kill that (penalty) off,” said Smoskowitz.

“I thought our discipline could be more in check.”

Puck drop for Game 3 is just after 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Meridian Centre.

Smoskowitz confirmed that Ben Hrebik will be back in front of the Colts net after stopping 23 of 24 shots in Game 1.