Colts prepare for Kitchener Rangers, first OHL Final since 2013

Dylan Smoskowitz came clean about Monday's viral press conference as his team began preparing for the OHL Championship Series against the Kitchener Rangers.

The Barrie Colts were back at practice Tuesday morning after shutting out the Brantford Bulldogs 5-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final and ahead of the OHL Championship Series against the Kitchener Rangers.

“They never wavered,” said Dylan Smoskowitz, head coach, of his team’s effort in the third round. “They stuck together, they had each other’s backs, and I just could not be any more proud of that group.”

Smoskowitz also came clean about Monday evening’s postgame press conference that went viral, where he and Kashawn Aitcheson, co-captain, gave the same five-word answer to each question.

“That one’s on me,” said Smoskowitz. “You better believe it won’t happen again.”

With Game 1 of the Championship series on Wednesday in Kitchener, the Colts have a quick turnaround to prepare for the Rangers and Sam O’Reilly, who was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player.

“We’re going to have to bring our best every night,” said Aitcheson before Tuesday’s practice. “They’re a hell of a team over there. Coached really well and really structured.”

Rallying around Beaudoin

Cole Beaudoin, Barrie’s leading scorer and co-captain, continues to be a rallying point after getting injured in the East final.

His official availability for the series is to be determined, but he will continue motivating his team behind the bench.

“Whatever they need, I’m there for them,” said Beaudoin. They were there for me they battled and worked around me and came back from a 3-1 deficit, so, really proud of this group and we have one more series to go."

“He’s been my asssistant coach for the last two games and he’s done a fantastic job,” added Smoskowitz. “I keep telling the kid when his career’s over, and he’s made millions dollars playing the game, he’s going to make just as much coaching the game.”

Head-to-head

Barrie won the two matchups against Kitchener in the regular season but both games went beyond regulation.

The Colts are in search of their first OHL Championship since their lone OHL title in 2000, while the Rangers are going for their fifth title in franchise history.