It’s been a learning curve for some of the players with the Colts Midget “AAA” team this season that some would rather shy away from. Adversity, losses, wins, more losses. That was a theme for a while for this team. Then…it changed. With wins over Oshawa, Quinte, York-Simcoe, and a tie with Whitby, the Colts have worked hard to climb back in the league playoff picture. Hardly a team that will shy away from anything.

“The kids worked hard, pulled off some wins, and made the most of their chances. I’m sure for them it validates what we as a staff put them through at practices. It’s nice to see them succeed. Now they’ll have to challenge themselves to keep it up,” stated Head Coach Brad

The team heads to Sault Ste. Marie this week for a 5 day, 4 night stay culminating in the Soo Greyhound International. The Colts will face Thunder Bay, Ottawa Valley, the Telus Cup regional hosts from the Soo, and a once in a lifetime game, facing off against the Soviet Wings from Moscow.

The team will be taking in a Soo Greyhounds practice, touring Lake Superior State University, and taking part in some team building exercises.

MacArthur thinks it is a great time for the kids to bond and grow, “It’s a great chance for the kids to get away and be with each other. We get to do some off-ice work on the mental part of their games, and take in some very valuable information from Lake Superior State and the Greyhounds. To then be able to play a team from Russia, it’s all very exciting.”

The Colts will provide daily updates on their website barriecoltsmidgetaaa.com and game updates on their twitter feed @coltsmidgetaaa.

The Midget AAA Colts learned a hard lesson the last four games albeit early in their ETA league season.
After opening the season with two victories, the Colts suffered four straight setbacks dropping their record to 2-4 prior to facing Kingston Sunday afternoon on the road.

The Colts suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Markham Waxers, a 5-2 setback to the Ajax-Pickering Raiders, a 2-1 loss to Clarington, and a 3-0 whitewashing by the Quinte Devils during the four game streak. “It’s simple,” stated Head Coach Brad MacArthur “If you are not willing to sacrifice mentally and physically, you’ll lose games, which is exactly what happened.”

The Colts came out ready against Kingston, not looking like the same team that was dominated a day earlier by Quinte. Although the Colts had many chances to bury a goal, the Kingston goaltender was up to the task, and the Colts went into the intermission tied 0-0.

An early goal by Brendan Alward, in his second game of the season, gave the Colts a 1-0 lead just nineteen seconds into the third period. Jordan Schwartz picked up the only assist on the goal. With 6:48 remaining in the period and the Frontenacs pressing, David Lammana took a hard hit, but was able to chip the puck ahead to Ale Daley. Daley dished to Brett Banks to seal a 2-0 shutout victory ending the Colts streak. Kelsey Farrar picked up the shutout.

“We just asked them to simplify their game, come out with some physical play, and let their work ethic dictate the score. We spoke with some players before the game, and some had their best efforts in a while,” stated Daryl Ashenden.

The Colts host the York-Simcoe Express this Friday at the Innisfil Rec. Complex. Puck drop is 7pm.

The Colts midget “AAA” squad split their weekend games picking up a 3-1 win over the Kingston Jr. Frontenacs on Saturday while dropping a tough 3-2 game in Markham Sunday evening.

On Saturday Kingston opened the scoring with ricochet in front which fooled goaltender Tyler Brindle. The Colts responded with a deflection of their own as a Craig Anderson point shot was deflected by Jordan Schwartz in front to knot the game 1-1.

David Lammana put the Colts up 2-1 after some great forchecking by Scott Dorion, and Jake Vanderzaag forced a Kingston turnover. Lammana picked up the loose puck and fired a well placed wrist shot from the slot.

Mac Flewelling sealed the deal in the third on a nifty cross crease pass in the third period.

Sunday in Markham was a tough one for the Colts. Finding themselves down 1-0 in the first, the Colts took the powerplay to tie the game 1-1 on a goal by Vanderzaag.

A Dorion led two on one break resulted in a Lammana goal to tie the game 2-2 halfway through the second period. The score stayed that way until less the twenty four seconds left in the game. The Colts found themselves shorthanded in their own end. Markham was able to capitalize and hold on for a 3-2 win.

The Colts return to action on this Friday October 7, hosting the Ajax-Pickering Raiders. Puck drop is 7pm at the Innisfil Rec. Complex.

The Colts Midget “AAA” team is proud to announce their 2011-2012 roster.

In net, the Colts will rely on returner Tyler Brindle. Brindle was solid in net last season posting a 10-5-1 regular season record and a 2.17 GAA. Tyler also participated in the ETA ALL-STAR game. Brindle’s partner will be Kelsey Farrar. Farrar guarded the twine for the Central Ontario Wolves last season. Prior to that, Farrar was a member of the Barrie AAA zone, and hails from Alliston.

Defensively, Craig Anderson returns for the Colts. Joining Anderson on the blue line will be Jordan DaSilva, Ryan Jackson, Brett Banks, Thomas Kesheshian and JD Sterne. DaSilva and Jackson were members of the Colts Minor Midget program, while Banks and Sterne join the team from the North Central Predators. Kesheshian makes the trip from Collingwood and was a member of the Grey-Bruce Highlanders last season.

Up front, the Colts return two veteran players in Matthew Meher, and Jake Maclean. Mac Flewelling, David Lamanna, and Brendan Alward make the jump from the Minor Midget program. Joining the Colts from the Predators organization are Alex Daley, Jordan Schwartz, and Scott Dorion. Cooper Jefferson joins the Colts from Grey-Bruce while Jake Vanderzaag, and Keenan Kennedy make the jump from TNT and Barrie “AA” respectively.

“As a team we’re young, and maybe not the most experienced group. So far the team has exhibited a strong workmanlike attitude, and they seem to be gelling quite well for only being together a short time,” noted Head Coach Brad MacArthur. “We’re going to push the kids for more, and keep them hungry to improve their games. As a staff we feel this is going to be a pretty exciting year.”