Colts prepare for series against IceDogs, first two games without star defenceman

The Barrie Colts are getting ready for the OHL playoffs and their first round matchup against the Niagara IceDogs.

The Ontario Hockey League Playoffs are upon us and the Barrie Colts are gearing up for their first round matchup against the Niagara IceDogs.

After eliminating the IceDogs in five games in last year’s quarterfinals, the Colts are hoping for a similar outcome again this year.

“I feel great. I feel like our guys have put a ton of work in this year and not wasted any days,” said Dylan Smoskowitz, Colts Head Coach.

Smoskowitz will be making his OHL postseason head coaching debut after his 45 wins set a Colts franchise record for a first-year bench boss.

But his group will begin the first round shorthanded.

In Saturday’s season finale against the same IceDogs, star defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson exceeded the fighting threshold, resulting in an automatic two-game suspension for the New York Islanders prospect.

“We’re going to miss him. He’s an MVP candidate in this league and it’s no easy task for a team to play without one of those guys in their lineup,” said Smoskowitz, praising Aitcheson’s physical play. “He’s going to be back for Game 3 and he’s not going to change a thing.”

“It’s definitely a tough blow and it sucks, but I got confidence in the team that they’ll get the first two wins,” said Aitcheson, team co-captain.

His absence means increased responsibility for the rest of his teammates in the early part of the series, particularly for his fellow blueliners.

“It’ll be spread around between all six of us,” said Justin Handsor, defenceman. “But I think everyone’s just got to step up a little more. And everyone’s got a part to play in their game.”

If the Colts can overcome Aitcheson’s two-game absence, they will look to improve off last year’s playoff run that ended in the conference finals, where they got swept by the Oshawa Generals.

“I think all the guys that were here last year remember that feeling, so it’s going to give us that extra motivation to push to the finals and win this thing,” said Aitcheson.

Aitcheson and Cole Beaudoin, fellow team co-captain and Utah Mammoth prospect, also bring experience from competing on the international stage with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

“Every game matters, every shift matters, and it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” said Beaudoin. “We just got to wear down our opponents, and that’s something that I’ll bring over from that Team Canada experience.”

In goal, Smoskowitz expressed confidence in both Ben Hrebik and Arvin Jaswal.

Hrebik was named OHL goaltender of the month in November and December while Jaswal won 18 of 24 games, maintaining a 2.45 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

“I feel great, just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing all year. Not much changed,” said Hrebik. “We’ve had their number throughout the year, so just stick to what we’ve been doing.”

Smoskowitz confirmed that Hrebik will get the start in goal for Thursday’s series opener at Sadlon Arena, but he did not confirm what lineup changes will be made with Aitcheson’s absence.

He said they will be determined in practice throughout the week and by how things go in Game 1.