Gardiner Scores In Return To Nations Capital

On Sunday afternoon, Brad Gardiner returned to Ottawa for the first game against his former team since being traded to the Barrie Colts during the summer.

"I had a great three years here," said Gardiner before the game. "There are no friends out there on the ice, but it will be nice to see them all after."

The Dallas Stars prospect joined the 67's when he was 16 years old and played for some strong teams during his three years in the nation's capital. He scored a total of 95 points in 188 games while playing for the Barber Poles.

"There are lots of amazing people in this organization," said Gardiner. "Coming in as a 16-year-old wasn't easy, but they made the transition pretty smooth."

You could feel a change in the energy around TD Place when Gardiner walked into the building. Staff members had huge smiles on their faces, and everyone took a moment to say hi to the prodigal son as he returned home. 

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Then suddenly, it was game time, and as Gardiner said, there were no friends on the ice. The two teams strove back and forth going scoreless after a tight first period. 

What followed was an explosive second period with the teams featuring seven goals. Gardiner added to the scoring when he pounced on a rebound tying the game at two midway through the second frame. 

When the dust settled, Barrie held a 4-3 lead which they ultimately converted into a 5-3 win limiting the 67's to just six shots in the third.

Gardiner is not the only player to join Barrie this season. Dalyn Wakely and Tristan Bertucci both join what has quickly become a very strong roster. 

"We've got an exciting group this year," said Gardiner. "Everyone is competitive and wants to win ... we are all getting used to each other and I think we are excited to see what we can do."

With four goals and an assist in his last four games, it is safe to say that Gardiner is starting to settle in with the Colts. His spike in points coincides with the Colts winning three of their last four games. However, Gardiner and his teammates have their eyes set on contending for an OHL championship. 

"Being a bit of an older team we aren't sure how many years a few of us have left in the league," said Gardiner. "The chance doesn't come too often that you know you're on a championship-contending team ... I think we have a good chance of competing with any team day in and day out in the league."

Barrie currently sits fourth in a very tough Central Division. Only two points separate them from the top spot. 

The team's strong performance over the past week has done them well, but they know that they will need to continue to come together as a team and work toward their goals. 

"We're trying to take it one day at a time, one game at a time," said Gardiner. "All of us want to win and obviously that's our end goal, but for me I think it's about getting better every day, being consistent and trying to be the best player I can."