Cole Beaudoin extended his point streak to sixteen games on Wednesday night by setting up rookie Riley Patterson for the overtime winner.
Draft eligible centre Cole Beaudoin has been heating up in the second half of this season, as he currently rides a sixteen game point streak.
Last night versus Owen Sound, Beaudoin was able to extend that streak. He set up fellow draft eligible Riley Patterson for the game winner in overtime with a slick cross-ice feed.
Beaudoin and Patterson have both had dominant second halves in their draft eligible seasons. Beaudoin is now up to 55 points in 52 games.
What makes Beaudoin special is his vision — which he exemplified spectacularly in this game with his assist.
His passes are consistently able to find ways to get through traffic and set up his teammates for high quality scoring chances. Beaudoin sees the ice on an advanced level, and that makes up for his skating ability.
Beaudoin isn't the quickest player on the ice, but he thinks quicker than he moves. He is always thinking ahead of the play and hitting teammates with passes that lead them into open ice.
His puck control and strength are other strong areas of his game. He's able to fend off opposing defenders with his strength and his frame and protect the puck under pressure. He's able to lean into the inside and outmuscle opponents for body position with the puck. Beaudoin has strong hands to handle the puck with one, and push off opponents with the other.
Beaudoin isn't going to be the most electric or energized player on the ice, but he does the little things right and he's highly effective down low in the offensive zone.
The Barrie Colts have found it difficult to find success this season given their injuries and players that aged-out last season. Beaudoin is one player that has had to step up into a bigger top-six role and face top matchups.
As we reach the last quarter of the regular season, Beaudoin is hitting his stride and finding a way to create and produce on a nightly basis.