With apologies to Duran Duran, so much for “Hungry Like the Wolf.”
Thanks to Emil Hemming and Colts’ linemates Cole Beaudoin and Ben Wilmott, the wolf is chowing down pretty well these days.
The talented trio was at it again in Saturday night’s 2-0 win over the Brampton Steelheads at Sadlon Arena, with Hemming scoring for a seventh time in the last six games and the trio running their impressive point total to 35 since being united earlier this month on Barrie’s top line.
After Wilmott was acquired at the OHL trade deadline, Hemming talked of the line leading the way offensively and the need to help “feed the wolf.”
In eight games since, they have done exactly that, combining for 16 goals and 19 assists to help Barrie (30-10-2-4) run its impressive point streak to 12 games (11-0-1).
“They only had the one goal tonight, but they were dangerous all night,” Colts’ head coach Dylan Smoskowitz said of his top line. “They’ve been dangerous every single game they’ve played together. They have to keep doing the little things. They have to keep finishing their checks, which they did tonight. They have to keep focusing on defence, which they did tonight.
“And that’s why that line is so impressive, they do everything. They’re not just a one-trick pony, where they just score. They play the game the proper way. These guys, as NHL prospects, are making a really good name for themselves.”
Hemming has been feeding the wolf pretty well since being returned by the AHL’s Texas Stars in late October. The 2024 Dallas first-round pick now has 15 goals and 39 points in 25 games.
“I don’t know (what’s clicking), but it feels like it’s been clicking the whole season,” said the Finnish import. “Obviously, it helps when you have Beaudoin and Wilmott on your line.
“I’m just trying to do my thing, and, at this point, I’m just shooting it. The stick is hot, so I just want to keep it going here.”
Smoskowitz recalled Hemming telling him he wanted to dominate after returning to Barrie, and he certainly has.
“Those were his words,” said the Barrie coach. “He was happy to come back to Barrie, but he wanted to dominate. That’s what Dallas wants from him. That’s what he wants from himself. He knows to get to the next level, he’s got to dominate this level, and that’s what he’s doing.
“It’s on a nightly basis, and it doesn’t matter who we’re playing. It doesn’t matter who his opponents line up against him. He goes out and dominates games.”
And that means being effective with and without the puck.
“I try to play a 200-foot game and just try to help my team win,” said Hemming. “It’s not always about the points. A lot of things that count, so I’m trying to do those things well. I feel like that’s what’s going to help give me points, is by working hard and doing those things.”
Jonah McCormick also scored for the Colts, who got all the offence they needed in the opening period, thanks in large part to Arvin Jaswal stopping all 20 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season against the Steelheads.
Brampton (13-26-3-2), which has now lost seven straight, kept things close thanks to the play of veteran goaltender Zach Bowen, who was especially stellar in an opening period where he and his teammates were outshot 20-5.
“It’s a test to play a team that’s not really up to your level,” said Smoskowitz. “They’re going through a rebuild, and it happens in this league, but it was not the greatest effort by our guys to kind of stick to our standard and play Barrie Colts hockey.
“I thought we did play down to our opponent tonight, but give Brampton credit. They didn’t back down. They were physical all night long. They definitely took a bite out of us. It was good to get the two points, but also a good learning experience for our guys.”
McCormick opened the scoring three minutes into the contest when he ripped one from the high slot over the left shoulder of Bowen.
Hemming, with Barrie on the power play, doubled the lead late in the same frame when Beaudoin, parked at the side of the net, slid a cross-crease pass to him and he fired it over the right pad of Bowen.
That was it for the scoring.
“Credit Arvin Jaswal and our penalty kill, because (Brampton) did have some looks in the third,” said Smoskowitz. “A two-goal lead, they say, is the worst lead in hockey. One goal goes in, and the guys get a little bit nervous, and (the Steelheads) play with a little more energy, a little more life.
“So, I’m proud of our penalty kill, but we’re going to need some better efforts down the stretch here.”
UP NEXT
The Colts can now turn their attention to their big road test on Sunday in Brantford. Looking to avoid an expected snowstorm on Sunday morning, the club hit the road after Saturday night’s contest.
“Winning the day was a big thing, and it was a challenging thing, because a lot of the guys’ minds were on this big Brantford test,” said Smoskowitz. “You see the standings, and you wait for a long time to play these guys, with all the hype around them, but the important thing was to win today, and I’m proud we did.
“Now, we’ll have a good night's sleep in the hotel. We don’t have to get up early, and we don’t have to worry about the weather. We don’t want to be late, so the guys are in their regular routine, and they can give themselves the best chance to have a good performance (Sunday) in Brantford.”
Brantford is heavily favoured to win the OHL championship.
Meanwhile, Brampton starts the back end of a four-game span on the road Sunday in St. Catharines against Niagara.
ICE CHIPS
Before the game, the Colts honoured overage forward Brad Gardiner, who was about to play in his 300th OHL game.
Barrie held a 36-20 edge in shots.
Kashawn Aitcheson recorded an assist to improve his scoring streak to eight games (3-9-12).
Joseph Salandra returned to the lineup after missing four games with the flu.
The Colts also paid tribute to linesman Justin Herrington, who was working his final OHL game.
Barrie has drawn over 4,000 fans for five of their six home games since the Christmas break.
ADD. OHL
Ottawa 3 Oshawa 4
Kitchener 4 Erie 3 (OT)
Windsor 4 Flint 1
Niagara 5 Owen Sound 0
Peterborough 5 Sarnia 2
Soo 3 North Bay 0
