The Barrie Colts are striking ahead of the rest of their Central Division foes, opening up a six-point lead after downing the Niagara Ice Dogs 4-3 on Saturday.
Barrie counted on four different goal scorers, with Kashawn Aitcheson’s 16th of the season holding up as the game winner despite a late rally by Niagara.
Goals from Cole Beaudoin, Calvin Crombie and William Schneid put the Colts up 3-0 in the middle of the second period, before Niagara’s Kevin He clawed one back.
Aitcheson quickly answered back to restore the three-goal lead heading into the final frame. Niagara’s Ryan Roobroeck cut the lead to two in the first minute of the third, and Reyth Smith made it a one-game goal with just less than 90 seconds left in the period.
But Barrie’s Ben Hrebik held off the late charge, making 36 saves in the victory.
With the win, Barrie has grabbed at least a point in each of the last 12 games, going 10-0-2 over that span. The Colts are now sitting second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the league-leading Brantford Bulldogs.
The Ottawa 67s have five more points than Barrie but the Colts are slotted in second because their division lead.
Next up for Barrie is a trip to Sudbury for a Friday night game against the Wolves. The Colts return home on Saturday to host the Kingston Frontenacs.
