The huge smile on Cole Emerton’s face after his game-winner in the third period said it all.
The Barrie Colts' rookie defenceman’s first OHL goal, a rocket to the top corner over the blocker of Owen Leonard, was an absolute gem, but more importantly, it proved to be the difference maker in a 5-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves Wednesday night at Sudbury Community Arena.
An ecstatic Emerton couldn’t hide his excitement after his power-play marker, which came just a little more than two minutes after Jan Chovan’s power-play goal had tied the game for the Wolves midway through the third period.
“It’s great to get the first one out of the way,” said the 17-year-old Oro-Medonte native, who celebrated his milestone outside the Colts dressing room after the game with his parents. “I was definitely fighting the puck a bit. I haven’t gone through a drought that long in quite a long time, so it’s nice to get the first one out of the way.”
Emerton’s reaction after his first OHL goal also brought a huge smile to the face of his head coach.
“Really excited,” said Dylan Smoskowitz. “I can’t say enough good things about how he’s adapted to this league. We put him in some really tough spots for a 17-year-old defenceman. He runs our first line power play. He plays over 20 minutes a night. He plays the penalty kill for us.
“He’s just doing an admirable job, and for him to get rewarded with a game-winner like that with a beautiful shot, I’m just so happy for him.”
And what a first goal it was. Cole Beaudoin walked out from behind the net and found Emerton in the slot. The young defender then released a laser to the top right corner.
Emerton, who had 10 assists in 21 games coming into the night, finished off the set play in impressive fashion. Just 13 seconds later, Calvin Crombie doubled the lead to 4-2, and the Colts never looked back.
“We go through our set plays in practice, and we definitely practice that,” Emerton said of the play on the game-winner that saw him jump into the high slot. “So, I knew if I got the puck there, that’s where I was going to put it.”
Justin Handsor, with his first OHL goal; Emil Hemming; and Jonah McCormick, into an empty net, also scored for the Colts (11-7-1-4), who have earned at least a point in 10 consecutive games (8-1-1).
If Emerton keeps firing shots like that, chances are he won’t be left alone in the slot much longer.
“It was a great shot, and what other teams are starting to do is cheat,” said Smoskowitz. “You got three first-round picks on that power-play unit, so guys cheat to Hemming. They cheat to (Kashawn) Aitcheson, and cheat to Beaudoin, and kind of leave Emerton open.
“He keeps shooting like that, he’s going to become a well-known threat around the league, and he can do it. We know that, so for him to build the confidence, for him to see himself he can do it, put one in the net and be a threat on the power play, I’m really happy for him.”
After a nice individual effort by Handsor put Barrie on top midway through the first, a Nathan Villeneuve power-play goal early in the second tied things up for Sudbury (5-16-1-0).
Barrie wasted little time moving back on top when Beaudoin, from the side of the net, set up Hemming in front less than a minute later for his first of two assists on the night, and his ninth in four games against the Wolves this season.
While he liked the response, Smoskowitz wasn’t too happy with the play of his club on this night.
“I did not like our overall game, if I’m being honest,” said the Colts’ head coach. “I didn’t think that our execution was there. I don’t think our compete was there. I thought they outhit us. I thought they outbattled us, and there were too many loose pucks for my liking, but you do have to like the response.
“They tie it up. The momentum can change, the tide can turn, and the guys come right back, and we put one on the board.”
The Colts escaped with the win thanks to yet another huge effort in goal by Ben Hrebik. The game’s first star made 43 saves, including several in the third period when the Wolves outshot the visitors 20-5.
“Without Ben Hrebik in there, we lose this game for sure,” said Smoskowitz. “Even with him in there, I’m surprised we won the game. Benny was fantastic. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t say a word. He keeps cheering on his guys.
“We all know he’s our backbone. He’s always there to support us. He’s just playing at another level right now. It is what we expected to be honest with you. We just expect so much from the kid because we saw it last year, and he expects it from himself. Let’s hope some NHL teams start to take notice of this kid.”
With Aitcheson and Gabriel Eliasson missing action last week due to two-game suspensions, Emerton stepped into a bigger role, and the young blueliner hasn’t disappointed.
He is playing his best hockey of the season right now.
“I’ve definitely settled in a bit,” he said. “I think that’s also a credit to doing video with coaches, listening to coaches, sticking with systems, which makes it a lot easier for me.”
Barrie continues its four-game road swing on Friday night against the Erie Otters, before a date with the Niagara IceDogs on Saturday.
“It’s not our best game, but we’re going to build off it and look forward to Erie,” said Emerton.
The win, says Smoskowtiz, sets a tone heading into the weekend. The Barrie coach credits his team for pulling out a win when they clearly weren’t at their best.
“As poorly as we played tonight, and even the players were unhappy with the effort, they found a way to win,” he said. “That’s a sign of a good team. That’s a sign of a team that has come together.
“The culture is good. Guys are buying in, and guys are gelling. They don’t get down on themselves. They have that belief.”
ICE CHIPS
Beaudoin, who is third in OHL scoring with 33 points (10G, 23A) has been held off the scoresheet in two of his 18 games.
Sudbury outshot Barrie 45-22.
Handsor’s goal was his first in 80 OHL games. “There’s something about this rink, too,” said Smoskowitz of Handsor scoring. “He goes end-to-end last time we were here and sets up Alex Assadourian for the winner, and tonight he gets us on the board early. He almost had another great set-up as well.”
ADD. OHL
Ottawa 3 Kingston 2 (OT)
