Hard work has its rewards. Just ask Riley Patterson.
The Barrie Colts’ second-year winger has been putting in extra time during practice of late and the results are showing up on the scoresheet.
On Saturday, Patterson scored twice to make it three goals in his last three games and power the Colts to a 6-2 win over the Brantford Bulldogs in front of 4,028 fans on Teddy Bear Toss night at Sadlon Arena.
After a somewhat slow start to the season with just three goals in his first 11 games, the Vancouver Canucks prospect now has seven in his last 13 games.
He has 10 goals overall and 19 points in 23 games.
“It’s the continuous work after practice,” the 18-year-old Patterson said of what’s been the difference. “I come in every day with a purpose, and I just try to work my butt off. I got some great linemates too with (Cole Beaudoin) and (Bode Stewart) that have helped me lately.
“The boys are playing well around me, and it makes my job easier as well.”
The chemistry between him and Beaudoin, especially, is blossoming once again. Beaudoin, who had four assists in the win, has been on his own tear with four goals and 10 points in his past five games.
“Him and Cobo are getting back to what we saw towards the end of last year,” said Colts general manager and head coach Marty Williamson. “Cobo with four assists and him with a couple of goals, that’s pretty special from that line. When we get that, we’re a tough team to play.”
The chemistry between the two was evident on Patterson’s shorthanded marker past the midway point of the second that made it 4-2 for Barrie (17-8).
With the puck in the corner, Beaudoin took a quick peak to see where Patterson was and then raced into the corner and threw a no-look pass behind him to Patterson in front. The winger fired it past Ryerson Leenders.
“We have great chemistry and we’re great friends off the ice and we like to find each other on the ice," said Patterson. “We work with each other during practice, different plays, and that kind of stuff, and it’s definitely paying off.”
It was a big night for a few Colts.
Kashawn Aitcheson scored his eighth and added two assists, while Beau Jelsma scored twice, including his first at 12:04 of the opening period that brought down the Teddy Bears from the stands.
Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Goaltender Sam Hillebrandt also had big night, bouncing back from Thursday night when he gave up three goals on eight shots and was pulled after just 20 minutes in a 4-3 overtime win at home over Sudbury.
“He’s another one that I don’t think has ever given me two bad games in a row,” said Williamson of Hillebrandt. “I don’t think he liked being pulled, so for him to make a good statement like that and step back in there and do a job for us, we’re pretty happy for him.”
After trailing 3-0 Thursday and 2-0 Friday in the opening periods of a home-and-home set with the Sudbury Wolves, the Colts raced out of the gate last night, jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Jelsma and Patterson while outshooting Brantford (12-10-3-0) 16-4 in a dominant first period.
Barrie never stopped skating and, despite playing its third game in three nights, never took its foot off the pedal.
“We didn’t play that bad up there, but we were a little disappointed obviously with the outcome and we don’t want to lose two in a row,” said Williamson. “These guys were coming off a big win in beating Oshawa, so our guys wanted to make a statement right from the start of the game and that was kind of the purpose.
“We were pretty solid. I would like a few things different, but we were pretty solid.”
Patterson felt a better start was due.
“That’s what we’ve been lacking lately and our strong start continued throughout the game,” he said. “It’s good to see we played a full 60 (minutes).”
Nick Lardis, just 42 seconds into the second period, cut the lead in half, but Aitcheson got that right back less than two minutes later.
Zakary Lavoie made it 3-2 at the midway point, but it would be as close as Brantford would come. Patterson’s second and Brad Gardiner, with his 10th, gave the Colts much-needed insurance before the end of the period.
Jelsma sealed the contest late with an empty-netter.
“This is a game that could have gone either way,” said Williamson, whose club leads the Central Division and is just one point behind the Kingston Frontenacs with a game in hand for first place in the Eastern Conference. “It’s a losing weekend or it’s a winning weekend and that’s why it was pretty important to us. We want to stay at the top of the standings and if you want to do that, you got to win.
“It’d be nice to put a little streak together and get five or six in one stop, but I’ll keep taking winning weekends and getting better.”
The Colts return to action Thursday night when they host the Flint Firebirds. Game time at Sadlon Arena is 7 p.m.
ICE CHIPS:
The teddy bears, tossed on the ice when the home team scores its first goal, are donated to a local charity. Beaudoin had last year’s Teddy Bear toss goal. . . It was a strong effort by Barrie’s specialty units. The penalty kill had a shorthanded marker while holding Brantford to one goal on five chances. The power play, which was dead last on home ice only a couple of nights ago, was 2-for-4 on the night and 5-for-12 on the weekend. “They were really good,” Williamson said of the specialty units. “(Brantford’s) power play has been running really hot lately. I know they got the one, but a lot of credit to our guys who blocked shots and did some good things.”. . . Barrie outshot Hamilton 44-38. . . Jelsma has eight points (2G, 6A) in his last five games.
