Barrie Colts clinch Eastern Conference Championship with 5-0 win in Game 7

The Barrie Colts are pictured after winning Game 7 on May 4, 2026. (OHL)

The Barrie Colts will play for the team’s first Ontario Hockey League (OHL) championship title in 26 seasons.

The Colts defeated the Brantford Bulldogs in convincing fashion, 5-0, in Game 7 Monday night; winning three straight games over the Bulldogs to earn the Eastern Conference title.

Barrie, who last competed for the OHL championship in 2013 before losing to the London Knights in seven games, won its first and only league championship in 2000.

The Colts battled back against the Bulldogs, who held a 3-1 series lead until Barrie won back-to-back games in overtime to set up the series-deciding seventh game in Brantford.

Barrie’s series comeback was highlighted by another standout performance by goaltender Ben Hrebik who made 40 saves on 40 shots. Co-captain and star defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson put the Colts ahead in the first period and Emil Hemming added two goals in the third period.

Several dignitaries in the community are showing their support and excitement.

“Congratulations to the Barrie Colts on another big win tonight,” Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said in a post on social media. “On to the next round. We are very proud of the players, staff and ownership for what is an exhilarating playoff run. Go Colts Go!”

Pure Country 106 Morning Show Host Jason McCoy showed his pride Tuesday wearing a Colts jersey in a video posted to social media: “It’s a great morning with the Barrie Colts taking the series with a shut out. Now it’s on to Kitchener - Go Colts Go!”

The Colts will face the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL Championship series starting Wednesday in Kitchener. The Colts host Game 3 Sunday night at Sadlon Arena.

Follow your Barrie Colts on CTV News as we provide extended coverage in our special series, “The road to the Memorial Cup,” brought to you by the Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game.