Parker von Richter knew, first and foremost, there was work to be done.
Sure, facing his former Brampton Steelheads teammates Saturday night, just four days after he and Mason Zebeski had been traded to the Barrie Colts, was going to be special.
Still, only one thing mattered when the puck was dropped.
“When you get out there, you’re not friends with them,” said von Richter after the Colts’ 4-1 victory over Brampton in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,226 at Sadlon Arena. “At the end of the day, you go out there to win the game, and that’s what we did.”
As for catching up with his former teammates after a whirlwind week, well, von Richter saved that for before and after the game.
“Four years playing with (the Steelheads), nothing but great memories with them,” the veteran blueliner said fondly of the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. “Going out there, you have to try and dial it in. Not laugh with them and have a good time out there.”
Friends and former teammates or not, the newest Colts didn’t hold back. Zebeski and von Richter were throwing hits out there like they had no idea who they were facing.
“They were, and that’s the Barrie Colt way,” said Colts’ head coach Dylan Smoskowitz. “That’s why we love these guys so much, because you didn’t have to tell them how we played. They knew how we played, and they wanted to play like that. They’re finishing checks. They’re playing hard. They’re in your face. They’re relentless. It’s just a pleasure to watch as a coach when you have a team that is buying into the identity.
Cole Beaudoin scored just 13 seconds in, and Barrie (24-10-2-4), which also got goals from Jaiden Newton, Brad Gardiner, and Ben Willmott, never looked back.
Kieran Witkowski had the lone goal for the Steelheads (13-22-3-2), who have dropped three straight.
The Colts have now won 11 of their last 14 games and lead the Central Division standings by 10 points over the North Bay Battalion.
Coming from a rebuilding team to one that has eyes on a long playoff run was just fine for Zebeski and von Richter.
“This was the best opportunity for us,” explained the veteran who is expected to play a big role on Barrie’s blueline. “We’re very excited to be Barrie Colts at the deadline, and we’re going to keep running with it.”
A night after a similar big start in Guelph saw Barrie jump out to a 5-1 lead, only to allow the Storm back in it with two late goals in the second period, the Colts didn’t let up against the Steelheads.
Smoskowitz was happy to see “there was no cheating for offence” on this night.
“We really focused on not allowing that tonight,” said the rookie head coach, whose club allowed only 23 shots, including just 11 through the opening 40 minutes. “You get that first one, and a quick second one, the guys start thinking it’s points night, it’s all offence, and that’s just not this league. This league is too good for that.
“You start to fade away from your game plan, you’re going to get burnt. So, I’m proud of the guys for sticking with the defensive mindset. I’m really proud of the guys protecting the fort. Giving up a low number of shots. It was probably one of the lowest numbers we’ve given up all year. We just got to keep building on that.”
Games like this can be a trap for a team. Facing a Brampton team near the bottom of the OHL standings, and one that moved five of its best players at the trade deadline, could result in some overconfidence, but Barrie kept its foot on the pedal.
“You watch the last six or seven minutes, and we were still finishing checks, getting pucks in deep,” said Smoskowitz. “It’s all about good habits, which we keep preaching to these guys.
“So, for us to play the proper way for the full 60 minutes was really important for us tonight.”
Smoskowitz points to Saginaw’s 3-2 overtime win over Windsor and Peterborough needing a shootout to top Guelph 3-2 on Saturday.
“It’s too good a league,” he said. “There are no easy nights in this league. I’m proud of the guys for sticking with it tonight.”
Up 3-1 heading to the third, the Colts kept pushing. A second goal by Newton was disallowed for goaltender interference, but Wilmott’s second marker in his second game as a Colt with 4:51 remaining sealed the deal.
“We were pretty happy with our shifts even before the goal was disallowed,” said Smoskowitz. “Those three or four shifts leading up to that disallowed goal were strong for us.”
Gardiner made sure there’d be no setback in their game after a tough call on the disallowed goal.
“Brad went up and down the bench, as the review is underway, and he says, ‘You know, guys, whether it’s a goal or no goal, we’re going to keep playing the same way. We keep pushing. The verdict doesn’t dictate how we’re going to come out of this.’”
UP NEXT
The Colts wrap up a busy three-in-three weekend when they hit the road again for a Sunday night matchup with the Oshawa Generals at Tribute Communities Centre.
The Generals knocked Barrie out of the playoffs each of the last two seasons before reaching the OHL Championship Series.
“We just have to keep it consistent. Don’t stray from the game plan,” Smoskowitz said of what’s needed for a win and weekend sweep. “Guys understand what we want and what’s important to us.
“Oshawa is sitting at home waiting for us. They didn’t play tonight. They’re a tough opponent, and it’s a tough building to play in. A lot of history there with the two teams the last couple of years in the playoffs, so it’s going to be a tough test, but one we’re excited about.”
Meanwhile, the Steelheads are in Kingston on Friday.
ICE CHIPS
The Colts paid tribute before the game to former OHL commissioner Dave Branch, who died last week at the age of 77.
Barrie also honoured Emil Hemming, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Beaudoin at centre ice before the game for their performance at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
Carter Lowe played in his 200th OHL game.
Barrie’s Arvin Jaswell made 22 saves to pick up his eighth win of the season. Luke Johnson stopped 29 for Brampton.
Wilmott also added an assist and has three points (2G, 1A) in two games since joining Barrie from London. Beaudoin also had a goal and an assist and now has five points (2G, 3A) in two games since returning.
ADD. OHL
London 4 Erie 1
Flint 4 Kingston 1
Kitchener 7 Owen Sound 4
Peterborough 3 Guelph 2 (SO)
Saginaw 3 Windsor 2 (OT)
Sault Ste. Marie 5 Niagara 0
