Ottawa 67's Advance to Second Round
Ottawa's 67's have punched their ticket to the second round of the 2026 OHL playoffs, and now they'll face a familiar Ontario rival — the Barrie Colts — in what should be a fiercely competitive best-of-seven series.
After gutting out a first-round victory, the 67's are riding momentum heading into this matchup. The team has leaned on a combination of veteran leadership and young talent throughout the playoffs, and the coaching staff will be looking to carry that energy into the next challenge.
Scouting the Barrie Colts
The Barrie Colts are no pushover. They advanced through the first round with their own strong performance, showing depth up and down the lineup. Barrie is a physical, structured team that doesn't give opponents much room to breathe — which means Ottawa will have to be disciplined in all three zones.
The Colts' top forwards have been dangerous in transition, and their goaltending has been solid when it counts. Expect both benches to make adjustments quickly as the series develops.
What to Watch For
A few storylines will define this series:
- Special teams: Powerplay efficiency could be the difference-maker. Both teams have capable units, and a couple of timely man-advantage goals could swing the momentum in any given game.
- Goaltending duel: Playoff hockey lives and dies in the crease. Ottawa's netminder will need to be sharp, especially early in games when the Colts tend to come out hard.
- Home-ice energy: Games at TD Place tend to be electric during playoff runs. The 67's fanbase has shown up in force this postseason, and that crowd noise is a genuine advantage for the home side.
Ottawa's Path to the Next Round
For the 67's, the formula is straightforward: stay disciplined, trust the system, and let their speed create chances in the offensive zone. Ottawa has the skill to match up with Barrie — it's a matter of executing when it matters most in a playoff series where every shift counts.
This is the kind of matchup OHL fans circle on the calendar. Two Ontario programs with proud histories, competing at the highest level of junior hockey. For Ottawa hockey fans, it's another reason to get loud at TD Place and pack the lower bowl.
How to Follow the Action
Series schedule and broadcast details will be available through the Ottawa 67's official website and CHL channels. Fans who can't make it to TD Place can catch the action on various streaming platforms or follow live updates through the team's social media.
With the playoffs heating up and the Memorial Cup picture slowly coming into focus, every win matters. Ottawa faithful — it's time to cheer on the 67's.
Source: Ottawa 67's / CHL via Google News
