Ottawa 67's Stumble Out of the Gate Against Barrie Colts
Ottawa's 67's have a hole to dig out of after dropping Game 1 of their OHL second-round playoff series to the Barrie Colts — and the bigger worry coming out of that loss might not be the scoreboard.
The 67's entered the second round with momentum after advancing past the first, but Barrie came out sharp and controlled the pace in the series opener. Ottawa couldn't find its rhythm early, and the Colts capitalized on the slow start to take a commanding 1–0 series lead.
More Than Just a Loss?
What's raising eyebrows in the Ottawa camp is the possibility that the 67's came away from Game 1 short-handed in more ways than one. Reports out of the Ottawa Citizen suggest the team may have suffered a key injury during the contest — a development that would significantly alter the calculus for the rest of the series.
While the full extent of any personnel losses won't be confirmed until the team releases its lineup for Game 2, it's the kind of news that can change a series in a hurry. Depth and depth alone won't be enough if Ottawa is missing a top-end contributor against a Barrie squad that looked dangerous through all three zones.
The Colts Are No Pushover
Barrie has been one of the more well-rounded teams in the OHL this season, and they showed why in Game 1. Their ability to exploit Ottawa's defensive miscues and convert on key opportunities was a reminder of why they advanced this far. The Colts brought physicality and structured play — exactly the kind of opponent that punishes a team when it's off its game.
For Ottawa, the response in Game 2 will say a lot about the character of this group. First-round series are one thing; falling behind 2–0 in the second round is a much harder position to recover from.
What Ottawa Needs to Do
Coach Dave Cameron and his staff will need to make adjustments quickly. The 67's need to:
- Get pucks deep early and establish their forecheck before Barrie can settle in
- Limit high-danger chances against — Game 1 showed too many clean looks given up in the defensive zone
- Lean on veteran leadership to steady the room if injury news does sideline a key piece
The home crowd at TD Place can be a major factor. If Ottawa can steal a game in Barrie before returning home, the series flips entirely.
Season on the Line
For the 67's, this playoff run represents the kind of late-season proving ground that defines careers and seasons. Ottawa has produced some memorable playoff runs over the years, and there's still plenty of hockey left — but Game 2 has the feel of a must-not-lose situation.
Fans will be tuning in closely to see who suits up for Ottawa and whether the team can bounce back the way this city's hockey faithful expects.
Source: Ottawa Citizen via Google News
