3-point night for Beaudoin on his birthday helps Colts even East final

The OHL’s Eastern Conference Final is shifting to Barrie in a 1-1 tie after the Colts defeated the Bulldogs 5-3 in Friday’s Game 2 in Brantford.

Marek Vanacker opened the scoring with a power play goal to put the Bulldogs up 1-0 in the first period.

But the Colts answered with three straight, starting with a power play goal by Ben Wilmott minutes later.

In the second period, Brad Gardiner scored to make it 2-1, giving the Colts their first lead of the evening.

Then, in typical Kashawn Aitcheson fashion, the co-captain’s one-timer on another power play late in the frame made it 3-1 Colts.

The Bulldogs responded seconds later though, as Adam Jiricek made it 3-2.

But then in the third, Cole Beaudoin, Barrie’s other co-captain, took charge on the evening of his 20th birthday.

He scored back-to-back goals, the second of which was shorthanded and his tenth of the spring, putting Barrie ahead with a 5-2 cushion.

Beaudoin also had an assist on Aitcheson’s goal, giving him three points in the game. His 27 playoff points lead the OHL.

The Bulldogs would get one back later in the final frame with Jiricek scoring his second of the game. But that would be all, as the Colts galloped to the 5-3 victory.

The series now shifts to Barrie for Game 3 Sunday evening.

Puck drop is just after 6 p.m. at Sadlon Arena.

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