When the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs played each other in the first round of the 2025 OHL Playoffs, Barrie would end up winning the series in five games. The lone Niagara victory came in Game 3 of the series, the first of two contests that were played at St Catharines' Meridian Centre.
The Colts and IceDogs not only ended up playing each other once again during the first round of the 2026 OHL Playoffs, but the outcome of the series was almost identical to the one contested a year prior. While Barrie won the series in five, Niagara was able to steal a game on the road, taking the second game in overtime.
And it wasn't like all of the games were completely dominated by the Colts. Sure, Game 1 would see the Colts win by a 4-1 scoreline while outshooting the IceDogs 39-24, but IceDogs goaltender Vladislav Yermolenko did well to keep his team in the game. Not only did he keep the Colts off the scoreboard for the first period, but he also recorded a .921 save percentage on 38 shots despite allowing four goals.
Game 2 would once again see Yermolenko deliver a strong performance; he recorded a .938 save percentage on 48 shots while conceding just three goals. He also had the goalscoring support from his team in Game 2, something that lacked during the opening game of the series. Despite being down 2-1 after two periods, Ryerson Edgar and Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson were able to give the IceDogs a 3-2 lead after eight minutes of play. Brad Gardiner would force the game into overtime for Barrie, but Hayden Reid would give the IceDogs the win heading back to the Niagara region.
The IceDogs would play a strong 30 minutes to open Game 3, limiting the damage from the Colts' offense and keeping the game tied well into the second period. Ultimately, three unanswered goals from Kashawn Aitcheson, Joe Salandra, and Ben Wilmott would give Barrie the 5-2 win and restore their team's series lead.
Game 4 would be where the floodgates opened. The Colts opened the game with four goals in eight minutes and would enter the first intermission with a 5-1 lead. By the midway point of the game, Barrie's lead was 8-1, and the result was ultimately decided. The IceDogs would score five of the game's remaining six goals, but it ultimately wouldn't matter; the Colts would still win the game and take a 3-1 series lead back to Barrie.
Many of the things seen in Game 4 carried over for Game 5. Barrie's offense couldn't be stopped and Niagara couldn't put up the goals needed to keep pace. That said, Niagara's goaltending was once again on par with that of the first game of the series, while the IceDogs' offense was able to create some chances on two early third period power plays.
Ultimately, Niagara would drop Game 5 by a score of 5-0 and lose the series to the Colts in five games. The IceDogs' elimination marks the team's second-consecutive first round exit since ending a three-season playoff drought.
For the Colts, who have made the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, they'll now look to get past the Ottawa 67's and reach the conference finals for the second straight postseason.