Parker Vaughan barely had time to celebrate his first multiple-point effort in the OHL after the Barrie Colts’ 6-1 win over the Guelph Storm on Saturday night at Sadlon Arena.
His bags were already packed, and the Colts rookie was leaving for Sarnia after the game to join his Canadian teammates for the 2024 U17 World Challenge, which was set for November 3-9.
Just 24 hours after recording his first OHL goal in a 6-4 win over the Brampton Steelheads, Vaughan added another goal and assist.
The 16-year-old is heading to Sarnia on a high note.
“It’s awesome,” Vaughan said, carrying that momentum into the tournament. “I’m getting hot at the right time, it seems. Hopefully, I can carry that into the tournament and then once I come back.”
Barrie’s fifth overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Vaughan is one of 44 players selected to represent Canada at the annual U17 tournament.
Canada will ice two teams, including Canada Red and Canada White.
“I can’t wait,” said Vaughan, who will suit up with Canada Red. “It’ll be fun. I can’t wait to go play with the best at my age.”
Colts head coach Marty Williamson would love to see his young forward continue his scoring ways with Barrie next weekend, but he’s happy to see Vaughan get a chance to represent his country.
“I wish he was in our lineup next week,” said Williamson. “He goes to the U17s, so hopefully the hot streak continues there for him. We all wished him well and, hopefully, he comes back with a gold medal.”
With Cole Beaudoin (sick) out of the lineup the last two games, Vaughan moved up into the top nine forwards and the young player made the most of his opportunity.
On Saturday, he played with captain Beau Jelsma and Dallas Stars prospect Emil Hemming.
“It’s awesome, the last two games things are starting to go my way,” said Vaughan. “I’m playing with some great guys.”
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
The rookie says he has especially loved playing with Jelsma.
“He makes so much happen out there,” he said.
Jelsma has also made it a point to support his young linemate.
“He’s helping me a lot,” said Vaughan. “Each time we’re coming off the ice he’s giving me little tips here and there. Helping me to stay calm, level-headed, and keep working.”
Facing a shorthanded Guelph lineup that dressed just three forward lines, the Colts got off to their customary slow start in the first period, before turning things up in the second.
Vaughan, Gabriel Eliasson, and Tristan Bertucci, with his first as a Colt, scored to give Barrie a 4-1 lead and control of the game.
Brad Gardiner’s second of the night, and eighth in his last 10 games, just 34 seconds into the third all but sealed the deal for Barrie (8-4).
“I was a little disappointed,” Williamson said of a first period where Gardiner’s goal just 52 seconds in was followed by Leo Serlin’s shorthanded equalizer a little more than two minutes later. “I thought we were sloppy. The shorthanded goal really upset me. Then right at the end, we were sloppy. We turned over the puck and gave them a chance, and could have been down coming into the second.
“We needed a little wakeup call, and I thought we played pretty well in the second, and it continued in that first shift in the third. That was nice to see and get rewarded with a goal too.”
A spirited intermission talk from the coach helped Barrie get on track.
“We took what Marty said in the intermission to our hearts,” said Vaughan. “We just went out there and started to battle, play our game, and sharpen up a little bit.”
It was the sixth straight loss for the Storm (3-7-0-1), which gave Barrie all it could handle early but faded as the game went on.
Gardiner’s early goal in the third proved the back-breaker.
“You get the next one and maybe you’re back in, and then you get a power play or two,” Williamson said of the importance of that early third-period goal. “It was important for us to get it to 5-1. I thought (goalie Sam Hillebrandt) played a really good game. We were tired at times and a little sloppy, but that’s junior hockey when you got to play three games in three nights.
“Your goaltender is awfully important to you, and I thought he did a good job.”
Hemming scored at 6:22 to put a bow on the win. It was his first goal in seven games and the Finnish winger celebrated breaking his skid by motioning like he was reaching back and getting the monkey off his back.
“Everybody’s just starting to come together as a team,” said Vaughan. “The more we play with each other, the better we get.”
Barrie is off until Friday night when they hit the road to take on the red-hot Niagara IceDogs. After missing the playoffs the last four seasons, Niagara sits atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 9-3 record.
“We need a good week of practice and to get healthy,” said Williamson. “We got some sick bodies. Hopefully, in a couple of days they’ll be back to normal, and we can go into Niagara and face the first-place team. It will be a good test.
Game time at the Meridian Centre is 7 p.m.
ICE CHIPS
Beaudoin should be back in the lineup next weekend. ‘He’s feeling better,” said Williamson. “I would think in a couple of days, he’ll be fine.” The Colts also expect both Nolan Newton (concussion) and Michael Derbidge to return next weekend as well. . . Former Barrie minor midget and Guelph centre Alex McLean will play with Vaughan on Canada Red at the U17 challenge. . . Guelph outshot Barrie, 35-33. . . Gardiner had three points (2G, 1A) for the second straight night. . . The Storm, who are missing six regulars out of the lineup, got some good news Saturday with the Philadelphia Flyers announcing they were returning Storm centre Jett Luchanko to junior. . . It was Halloween night, with the Colts holding their annual costume competition during the second intermission.
