Game Preview: Barrie Colts vs Mississauga Steelheads. #OHL

Tonight the Barrie Colts host the Mississauga Steelheads for the third meeting of six this season. Both teams have won a game a piece in the season series with Barrie winning the first meeting November, 1st 6-0 while Mississauga won the second game 6-3 on December, 6th. If Mississauga is able to pull off the win tonight they will jump the Colts in the standings for the first place spot in the Central Division. It should be noted that the Steelheads do have 4 games in hand.

So we gonna get our lead back if we need to! 

 Barrie is coming off of a 5-3 loss to North Bay this past Sunday. That loss came a day after Barrie thumped the same North Bay team 12-2. In their last 10 games Barrie has a 5-4-0-1 record. It also looks like the Barrie Colts can expect the return of goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (per Gene Pereira) since a disappointing run with Team Canada at the 2016 World Junior Championship which saw Barrie Colts Julius Nattinen and Team Finland win Gold over Team Russia.

With Blackwood back the Colts now have three goalies. Hawerchuk plans to make a decision on who stays & backs up Blackwood in next week.

— Gene Pereira (@GenePereira1) January 5, 2016

Mississauga comes into Barrie riding a 2 game win streak and a 5-3-1-1 record over the last 10 games. With wins over Owen Sound and a shutout over Ottawa this past weekend the trout hope to capture the top spot over Barrie in the Central even though it seemingly wouldn't be a long term spot with the top spot being so tight.

MAYBE TIGHTER THAN THIS!! 

Keys to Success: Missisauga has had four 1 goal games over the last 6 games. Many felt that the World Juniors was not Blackwoods strongest showing and a team that hasn't been able to score much recently might just be what he needs to get back into the regular swing of things. Barrie would be wise to try and play a strong defensive game. Don't let Missisauga get much in the way of production and no doubt goals will come for the Colts.

Players to Watch: As mentioned, Blackwood is expected to get the start tonight so he is a must watch. Also, Kevin Labanc was named Player of the Week last week. In 4 GP he totaled 7 goals and 6 assists with +11.