Colts heading to Brantford for must-win Game 5

A digital sign showing Barrie Colts support at the Home Hardware on Bayfield Street in Barrie, Ont. on Thurs., April 30, 2026. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)

Barrie Colts players and coaches are loading up their gear onto the team bus outside Sadlon arena Thursday afternoon before heading to Brantford ahead of Game 5.

While it’s a short bus trip, there’s a lot on the line.

“We come into every game thinking the same thing,” says Eamon Edgar, one of the Colts players. “We’ve got to get a win and had a good practice yesterday and we’re excited for the game today.”

Players and coaches are focused on the game and getting back in the series. The coaching staff say no real changes are planned to the line.

There’ll be no pep talk but it’s just another game that is a must win.

“The fact that there is no tomorrow for us doesn’t really make a huge difference. We are going in with the same mentality, the same preparation, you know, everyone is very excited for the game,” says Dylan Smoskowitz, Barrie Colts head coach.

The Brantford Bulldogs took a commanding three games to one series lead after trouncing the Colts 6-1 on Tuesday. Barrie needs a win Thursday night to force a sixth game back on home ice Saturday night.

The battle extends beyond the ice as two Home Hardware stores play jostle.

A Home Hardware sign in Brantford reads “It’s time to Barrie the Colts Go Bulldogs”.

And the Home Hardware in Barrie on Bayfield Street reads “Time to leash the Bulldogs.”

“It’s important to have that kind of comradery with our sports teams in the city and the people that live in the city,” says Robbie Wilce of the Barrie Home Hardware. “We’re all Barrie Colts, all the way here.”