The Ottawa 67s opened their CHL playoff run on the wrong foot, falling in Game 1 to the Barrie Colts in a contest that saw Barrie play a disciplined, cohesive team game from start to finish.
Colts Come Out Flying
Barrie wasted no time imposing their style on the series, controlling key stretches of the game and capitalizing on their opportunities. The Colts' depth up and down the lineup was on full display, as multiple players contributed to a well-rounded effort that gave Ottawa little room to breathe.
For the 67s, it was a tough opener — the kind of game where the margins are slim but the final result tells a clear story. Ottawa showed flashes of their own game but couldn't string together the sustained pressure needed to wrestle control away from Barrie.
What Ottawa Needs to Fix
Going into Game 2, the 67s will need to tighten things up defensively and find their offensive rhythm earlier. Playoff hockey is a different animal — the pace is higher, the hits are harder, and every turnover gets punished. Ottawa has the talent to compete in this series, but they'll need to be sharper in all three zones if they want to even things up.
The 67s have been one of the OHL's more competitive teams this season, and their fanbase at TD Place knows this group is capable of responding. A road loss to open a series is hardly a death sentence — plenty of playoff runs have been launched after a Game 1 stumble.
The Road Ahead
With the series still young, Ottawa has plenty of time to make adjustments. Head coach and staff will be poring over the tape, looking for the tendencies and patterns Barrie leaned on in Game 1. Expect the 67s to come out with more urgency and physicality as the series continues.
67s fans: buckle up. Playoff hockey in Ottawa is rarely a straight line, and this series is far from over.
Source: CHL via Google News
