OHL Brampton Steelheads

Mavericks' Second Period Rally Falls Short of Victory

February 6, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brampton Steelheads News Release


The Steelheads played host to the Barrie Colts tonight, as they searched for their first win over Barrie this season. The first 1,000 fans in attendance received 2014-15 team posters from tonight's game sponsor KKP! The Steelheads also welcomed members of the Caledon minor hockey association.

The Steelheads were forced to the penalty kill early on in the game, as Sean Day headed to the box for a high-stick. Contending with the Barrie power play, Jacob Brennan looked sharp from the start in goal for Mississauga. With :18 left on the kill, Joseph Blandisi broke the scoreless tie glove side on Brennan. The Colts heavily outshot the Steelheads in the first period, as Brennan made 23 saves in the frame. The Trout had their chances, but pucks weren't making their target. Jimmy Lodge created a passing play with Mikey McLeod, who centred for Bobby MacIntyre, but he missed on the chance. Another penalty kill for the Steelheads put the Colts special teams back to work. Again, the Steelheads were unable to keep the visiting power play at bay, as Brendan Lemieux tipped a Kevin Labanc offering through the wickets of Brennan. In the final minute of play, Stefan LaBlanc made a nice defensive play, breaking up a two-line pass intended for Andrew Mangiapane who was sneaking behind the Steelheads d-men.

Entering the middle frame down 2-0, the Trout sought to fight their way back into the contest. Cody Thompson and Everett Clark had chances on a Mississauga power play early on, but the Colts defence was strong. Later on while shorthanded, Sam Babintsev broke out, fed Bryson Cianfrone low in the offensive end; Cianfrone returned the pass to Babintsev in front, but Blackwood prevented him from jamming it home. As special teams continued to rule the middle frame, 4-on-4 play resulted from a scrum after the whistle. Lodge and Day had chances as the Steelheads upped the pressure on the Colts. Brennan could feel the energy as he robbed Labanc with the glove, who was sprung on a break. Jared Walsh received the puck as he exited the penalty box and immediately moved in with numbers. Walsh found Burnside who fed MacIntyre in front, but the puck flew high over the net. A couple of late penalties by the Colts saw the Steelheads take a 5-on-3 power play into the third.

At the start of the third, Blandisi picked a pocket and jumped on the loose puck, beating Brennan for a shorthanded marker and his second of the game. The Trout got chances on Blackwood, but he stood on his head in the first few minutes of the frame. Mississauga headed to the power play, but Barrie did not let up. Justin Scott netted Barrie's second shorthanded goal of the period, batting a puck out of midair. Babintsev answered under a minute later to put the Steelheads on the board. Mississauga went on another 5-on-3 shortly after. Michael McLeod scored to bring the Trout within two as they began to storm back. Mississauga continued their pressure with another beauty passing play. Burnside found Lodge, Lodge fed Cianfrone who scored Mississauga's third goal in seven minutes. Lodge took a penalty with five minutes remaining. Lemieux made him pay, scoring a carbon copy tip-in goal for his second of the game. Babintsev popped in a rebound for his second tally, bringing the Trout back within one. The Steelheads fought their way back in, outshooting the Colts 20-8 in the third period, but couldn't complete the comeback. Barrie took this one by a score of 5-4.




Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2015


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