The following was submitted of behalf of the Barrie Minor Hockey Association and the Barrie Colts U15 'AA' hockey team:
From the moment the team was selected there was a belief and plan put in place to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the Ontario Hockey Federation championships. The dedication and efforts put in by the players, coaching staff and families made it possible and we couldn't be prouder.
The OHF tournament started slow for Barrie losing 5-2 to the London Knights (Alliance), but their resilience shown throughout the year led them to a 4-1 victory over the Soo Jr. Greyhounds (NOHA) in the afternoon.
Following a 3-1 loss to the Mississauga Beast (GTHL) the next morning, the team solidified their spot in the semifinals with a 2-0 win over the host team Timmins North Stars that afternoon.
Barrie's semifinal game was an early morning rematch against the Mississauga Beast. The game was a fast-paced and competitive affair. Barrie, drawing from their previous tournament, regional and Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) wins, kept their composure to shut out the Beast, 2-0, setting up a championship final game against the Soo Jr. Greyhounds.
From the drop of the puck in the championship game, Barrie went on the attack and applied relentless pressure on the Soo team by using their speed and physical play.
Barrie dominated the first period putting a barrage of pucks in the net and jumping out to a 5-1 lead. The Soo did not let up for one moment, but Barrie's skill, conditioning and determination was on full display, getting three more goals and going into the third period with an 8-2 lead.
The third period saw an exchange of goals by the two championship teams. As time ticked down in the third, the support and cheering from their fans increased.
Then with helmets, sticks and gloves flying into the air as the final buzzer rang, the Barrie Colts were crowned the 2023 U15AA OHF champions with a 9-3 win over the Soo Jr. Greyhounds.
It caps off a very successful year by the team who won two tournaments, the York-Simcoe championships and the OMHA championships.
Congratulations to the players: Ben Reistetter, Curtis Goulding, Darcy Muegge, Dayson Bress, Dylan Ewles, Gavin Loughran, Gavin Pich, Grayden Gauthier, Hudson Willard, Jackson Bardens, Logan Jackson, Lucas Bell, Lukas Trapani, Reed McKeown, Reid Harlow, Sheamus Gunn and Steven Smith. Also thanks to Kenny Champ.
Congratulations to the coaching staff: Brent Harlow (head coach), Chris Jackson (assistant coach), Chris Ewles and Craig Goulding (trainers), and Becky Trapani (manager).
The BMHA would like to thank the parents, grandparents, siblings, sponsors and BMHA staff for their support during the season.
