The Barrie Colts are moving on to the second round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs after a decisive 5-0 victory over the Niagara IceDogs on April 5, 2026. The win at Sadlon Arena allowed the Colts to clinch their best-of-seven series with a 4-1 record.
Goaltender Ben Hrebik anchored the win, recording his first career playoff shutout and making 29 saves while celebrating his 20th birthday. Brad Gardiner opened the scoring for the team halfway through the first period, helping to secure the shutout win in front of the home crowd.
Following a successful regular season where the team earned 45 wins and finished first in the Central Division, the Colts are now preparing for the Eastern Conference Semifinal. The team will face the Ottawa 67’s in the next round, with the first game set for Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Sadlon Arena.
Beyond the ice, the organization remains active through its Colts in the Community program, which hosts various local initiatives including youth hockey camps. Fans looking to gear up for the upcoming series can visit the Coltsport Hockey Shop, located at the West Entrance of the arena. The shop operates during home games and maintains regular business hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
As the community looks ahead to the next round of playoffs, the city continues to benefit from provincial support following the major ice storm in March 2025. The Ontario government has allocated more than $26 million in recovery funding to assist Barrie and Innisfil with the long-term cleanup and infrastructure costs associated with that event.
