Jacob Frasca didn’t wait long to make his mark in his return to the Barrie lineup Saturday afternoon in Brantford, but unfortunately for the Colts that was about it for the positives.
Down 1-0 just 10 seconds in, Frasca tied the contest 13 seconds later, but the Bulldogs responded with five unanswered goals enroute to a 6-1 win at the Brantford Civic Centre.
Frasca, who had been out since Nov. 5 with a hip injury, returned to a wild start that saw three goals scored in the first 65 seconds of the contest.
“It was crazy,” said the overage forward, who is expected to be traded ahead of the OHL trade deadline in the next 10 days. “We got scored against and I was, ‘Oh wow, 20 seconds in and I’m already (down). Another five seconds in and (Beau) Jelsma gave me a beautiful pass. It was a back-and-forth game at the start, for sure.
“Yeah, it was a crazy start.”
It was just Frasca’s 13th of game of the season.
“I felt OK,” he said of his first game back. “Obviously, it’s been two months, so the legs and lungs got (a good workout). The little details too.”
It’s the second time in his four-year career in Barrie that Frasca has missed a large chunk of the season. The Caledon native played in just 30 games in 2021-22 after suffering a concussion.
“Yeah, it was,” Frasca said when asked if it was frustrating missing two months of the season. “I was playing hurt for a bit and then I found out I actually had a problem with my hip, and it was worse than it was.
“Obviously frustrating, but I got good support around me. The family, the trainer helped me get back to where I am now.”
He admits it wasn’t easy watching his younger teammates struggle at times and not be able to help out.
“We’re a young team and we’re learning,” said the six-foot-five, 216-pound forward who had 27 goals and 69 points last season. “Sometimes it looks bright, but sometimes it’s tough. It was definitely frustrating, but that’s part of hockey. There’s a lot of highs and lows.
“Right now, it’s a little bit on the lower side, our play, but we just got to work hard, trust each other and look forward to how things can build.”
One person definitely happy to have the veteran back was Barrie head coach and general manager Marty Williamson.
“Absolutely,” he said. “The penalty kill, the power play, he does so much for us. To get his first game under his belt, it’s real nice to see him back.”
While it was his first game back, any day could be his last with Barrie. With the OHL trade deadline for overagers set at noon on Jan. 9 and the Colts looking to the future, it’s expected the veteran will be moved.
Frasca understands the circumstances, but say his focus right now remains on helping the young club.
“I’ve been here my whole career, it’s a second home to me,” he said. “I’ve been here four-and-a-half years now and I love it here in Barrie. I love the Barrie Colts, but the Barrie Colts are a business and they got to look to the future. Obviously, it’s my last year and the future is right now for myself.
“There’s trade talks and rumours around the league, but I just got to keep my head where my two feet are at the same time and not think too much of the future. Kind of just get back to feeling good and doing well and being healthy again.”
Barrie (13-7-1-0) fell behind Brantford 4-1 after the opening period and could never recover.
“We’re just not managing games well, especially on the road,” said Williamson, of his club which has dropped seven straight on the road to fall to 3-12 away from home. “It’s harder to come back on the road. It’s not like at home where you got a crowd behind you and can get some momentum going. We just shot ourselves in the foot with some poor decisions and got a crazy start to the game.
“We kind of misread the situation and gave up the breakaway and then we get one right back and then give up a couple more. You’re down 4-1 and it’s tough to come back from that.”
Florian Xhekaj, Marek Vanacker, Noah Van Vliet, Jake O’Brien, Ben Bujold and Cedricson Okitundu scored for the Bulldogs (17-9-6-1), who sit tied with the Sudbury Wolves atop the Eastern Conference standings.
“They’re a lot better than I thought,” Frasca said of Brantford. “They’re fast and the neutral zone’s really small here and they know how to use it to their advantage. You got to give them credit because they are a good team.
“At the same time, we’re close with them. You never know what happens. A hockey game is a hockey game and we got to let this one slide by us.”
The Colts could find themselves missing two veteran regulars in the lineup when they host the Owen Sound Attack in the annual New Year’s Eve contest at Sadlon Arena tonight.
Captain Connor Punnett was handed hitting from behind major and game misconduct with 2:55 remaining in the first period and could face a suspension once the league reviews the play Sunday morning.
“I just don’t believe Punnett (deserves) a suspension,” said Williamson. “I was even surprised with the five, so hopefully we’ll have him in our lineup (Sunday). We’ll see what the league says.”
Barrie will definitely be without Chris Grisolia after the forward left the game late in the third period with a sprained ankle.
“It’s not a good injury for hockey, so it’s probably going to take him some time to get back,” said Williamson, who expects the forward to be out at least a couple of weeks.
Barrie can lick its wounds and get right back at it tonight on home ice where they are 10-5-1-0.
“That’s the good thing,” said Williamson. “We’ll have a quick bus ride home and prepare for the next game. The nice thing about a young hockey team is they got short memories and we have played well at home. Owen Sound is on a bit of a roll right now. They’ve been playing very well, so it will be a good test for us.”
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
ICE CHIPS: The Colts will be holding their annual New Year’s Eve post-game skate tonight. Fans must leave their skates and helmets in their vehicle for the game and then will be permitted to bring their equipment in after the game. All kids must wear a helmet. . . Nolan Newton missed his fourth-straight game. The rookie has returned home for “personal reasons.” . . . Cole Beaudoin had his six-game scoring streak (4-6-10) snapped. . . Ben West stopped 40 of 46 shots for Barrie, while Matteo Drobac kicked aside 26 of 27 shots for Brantford.
Banner image via Sam Hossack/Barrie Colts
