Barrie Colts rally late in Sault Ste. Marie, but fall in overtime

Brandt Clarke scored with less than one second remaining in the third period, but the Barrie Colts would fall 4-3 in overtime to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

The Barrie Colts fought back to earn a key point on the road in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Saturday night, but a scary injury to Tanner Dickinson was front and centre on the minds’ of both teams after the game.

The Greyhounds forward suffered what appeared to be a serious left knee or ankle injury nearing the midway point of the third period when he crashed heavily into the end boards.

In a race for the puck, Barrie forward Ethan Cardwell nudged Dickinson from behind. Dickinson fell to the ice and then had Connor Punnett land on him, which drove him harder into the boards.

Cardwell was handed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.

“Obviously it’s bigger than hockey when something like that happens and I think we all wish him the best,” Colts defenceman Nathan Allensen said after the game. “Hope it’s nothing too serious. It’s pretty scary when anyone on the ice goes down like that and needs the stretcher to come out, so we just wish him the best.”

Nathan Allensen recorded three assists to help the Colts move into a tie for second spot with the North Bay Battalion in the Central Division standings. TERRY WILSON/OHL IMAGES

Dickinson looked down immediately at his left leg and appeared to be in discomfort.

“We knew something was serious right away,” Colts head coach Marty Williamson said. “The way Punnett fell on him, it’s very unfortunate.”

After a length delay and with the game tied 2-2, Ryan O’Rourke would score just 31 seconds into the ensuing five-minute major to put the Greyhounds in front.

Barrie, though, would tie the game with less than one second remaining when Brandt Clarke jumped into a goal-mouth scramble in front and intercepted a clearing attempt by Keegan McMullen before sliding it under Samuel Ivanov.

“Good players find a way to always find or hunt that punk down and it was a great play by Clarke,” Williamson said. “He could have easily stood on the blueline, but he was active.

“Their guy chips the puck out and it’s right on his stick and he buries it. It’s a big point for us.”

Rory Kerins, with his second of the game, would give Sault Ste. Marie the win just 46 seconds into overtime when he walked into the top of the slot and rifled it under Colts goaltender Mack Guzda.

“Obviously it’s not how we wanted to end it by losing in overtime, but the point for us is huge,” said Allensen, who had three assists on the night.

Hunter Haight and Cardwell, who ran is point streak to nine games, also scored for the Colts (20-9-4-0) who moved into a tie with North Bay for second place in the Central Division standings. Barrie still holds seven games in hand.

Jack Thompson had the other goal for the Greyhounds (23-12-3-1), who are first overall in the Western Conference standings

“I think everything is overshadowed by Tanner’s injury,” Williamson said. “The game took a turn and I thought out penalty killing did an outstanding job throughout the game and gave us an opportunity and we got a good bounce at the end there and it gets us a point.”

Along with holding the Greyhounds to a single goal during the five-minute major to Cardwell, the Barrie penalty kill came up big early in the second when they killed off three-straight power plays.

The Colts went 1-for-2 with the man advantage, while the Greyhounds finished 1-for-4.

“When you play a 68-game schedule your specialty teams are so important to you,” Williamson said. “We were able to not hurt ourselves and I thought out five-on-five game was solid. I thought in the second we got some momentum and we were playing well.

“Both teams played pretty cagey in the third there until the five-minute major and they got the goal. But we found a way to fight back and never give up.

Barrie completes its northern swing on Sunday afternoon when they return to Sudbury.

The Wolves will likely have their teeth out after taking it on the chin from Barrie Tuesday in a 9-1 loss at home.

The Colts have won all four games against their division rivals and have outscored them 24 to 7.

“We know there’s going to be pushback and we got a tough travel trip going back down there,” Williamson said. “We expect a hard, physical game, but you stick to your principles on how you play the game and give yourself a chance. That’s the way we’ll play the game.”

Game time Sunday at the Sudbury Community Arena is 2 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: According to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, the Toronto Maple Leafs met with Guzda this week and are attempting to sign the free-agent goalie. Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Nashville, Anaheim, and Carolina are also reported to be interested in the overage goalie. . . Colts rookie Beau Akey returned to the lineup after missing three games (illness). . . Sault Ste. Marie outshot Barrie, 34-26.

Feature image Brandt Clarke courtesy of TERRY WILSON/OHL IMAGES

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