On May 3, 2026, the Barrie Colts achieved a stunning overtime victory against the Brantford Bulldogs, winning 4-3 at Sadlon Arena. This win not only marked their second consecutive overtime triumph but also leveled the series at three games apiece in the OHL Eastern Conference final.
The game unfolded dramatically. Despite being heavily outshot—57 to 28—the Colts managed to stay resilient. The turning point came at 9:38 of overtime when Mason Zebeski netted the game-winning goal, sending fans into a frenzy.
Ben Hrebik, Barrie’s goaltender, shone brightly during this pivotal match. He was named the game’s first star after an impressive performance that included a staggering 54 saves. His efforts were critical in keeping the team in contention despite the barrage of shots from Brantford.
Caleb Malhotra also played a notable role, contributing significantly to Barrie’s playoff success with his current tally of 13 goals and 13 assists—ranking him second in playoff scoring. Interestingly, Malhotra’s goal count is among the highest for rookies aged 16 or 17 in OHL playoff history since 1980.
However, not all news was positive for Barrie. Cole Beaudoin, the OHL’s leading playoff scorer with ten goals and nineteen assists, did not play in Game 6 due to poor performance—not injury-related concerns. His absence raises questions about his readiness for the decisive Game 7.
Looking ahead, both teams are set for a climactic showdown on Monday at the TD Civic Centre. The winner will advance to face the Kitchener Rangers in the highly coveted OHL championship series.
Jay McKee, coach of the Colts, expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort and chances created during this intense matchup. He noted, “This is what these players play for, opportunities like this. I’m excited about it.” His belief in their potential could be pivotal as they prepare for Game 7.
As anticipation builds for this decisive match, both teams understand what’s at stake—glory and a shot at the Bobby Orr Trophy await.
