PHOTO BY SCOTT VANKOUGHNETT
It’s only happened twice in the last 21 years.
The last time was four years ago. The Windsor Spitfires made the improbable come back when they erased a 3-0 series deficit to beat the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in game seven. Before that it was the Ottawa 67’s who did it against the Oshawa Generals in 1988.
After three straight losses, the Barrie Colts need similar results in their best-of-seven series against the Mississauga St. Michael Majors if they want to keep playing.
“Everybody is counting us out right now,” said head coach Marty Williamson after game three in Mississauga. “So, you know you have to go out there and have some pride in front of our building and our fans and, take it one period at a time. It’s been done before. Why not us?”
In the last game 1,621 fans scattered the Hersey Centre to watch the Majors roll over the Colts 7-3. The Colts once again struggled out of the gate on Monday allowing the Majors to jump out to an insurmountable 6-0 lead.
“You have to put it all past you,” Williamson said. “We have two games at home. If we could ever get [the series] to 3-2 you know we have a chance to get back into the series.”
Colts’ captain Stefan Della Rovere, who won gold with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship this past Christmas, knows that his team has to be more disciplined if they hope to have any chance at coming back.
“Discipline has been the biggest difference,” said Della Rovere who had a two-minute, five-minute and two ten-minute penalties in the game. “I’ve said it before, there’s no doubt in my mind that we can come back in this series.” We’re a character type of team. If we play every game and every period like we did in that third period then we’ll come back.”
In the third, the Colts out-shot the Majors 9-6 and scored the only two goals of the period. Williamson says as that his team has to simplify their game and clear their heads from the losses.
“We have to believe that we can beat this team,” Williamson said. “We were 3-3 during the year. We have to believe that we can do it, then go out there and make something happen.”
Darren Archibald had two goals and Ryan Gottschalk added the other in a losing effort for the Colts. Casey Cizikas had two goals and an assist, Cameron Gaunce had a goal and three assists, Jared Gomes had a goal and two assists and Corey Bureau and Michael Pelech each added a goal for the Majors.
Michael Hutchingson got the start for the Colts but was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots. JP Anderson went the distance for the Majors.
Game four is tonight at the Molson Centre at 7:30 p.m.
From the Barrie Advance
Topics: Barrie Advance, Barrie Colts, Della Rovere, Marty Williamson, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Playoffs, Ryan Gottschalk
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