Barrie-ing The Bulldogs

Every NHL team is hoping that one of their draft picks is a future phenom when drafting players. Some picks step into lineups immediately and make an impact, but others require some time in the minor leagues to get themselves prepared for the NHL's style of play. Those who aren't drafted can still make an impact, but the path is a little longer in hoping that an NHL team sends an invitation to a prospects camp. If players can survive the prospects camp, there may be an invitation to the NHL team's main training camp where the possibility of being signed becomes much greater.

The man above wearing the Kachina jersey of the Arizona Coyotes is one of those players who suited up in an NHL prospects game before finding himself in the Coyotes' main camp for preseason. Barrie Colts netminder Anson Thornton fared well in camp last season, but the Coyotes wisely sent the then-18 year-old back to Sarnia in the OHL for some additional development.

Midway through the summer, the Sting decided to make changes with Ben Gaudreau's emergence as their starter. The Sting dealt Anson Thornton and a bantam pick to the Barrie Colts for three bantam draft picks, and it seems Thornton has found his groove in Barrie as he went 29-9-5 this season on the strength of a 3.13 GAA and a .903 save percentage, helping the Colts finish in second-place in the OHL's Central Division.

That standing meant they would meet the Hamilton Bulldogs in the opening round of the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Barrie won the first two games in Barrie while Hamilton took the next two games in the best-of-seven while skating in Hamilton. It was back to Barrie last night where the Colts hoped the home-ice advantage continued, but they got something entirely different in this game.

With Barrie leading 3-1 late in the game, the Bulldogs opted to go with the extra attacker. That's when Anson Thornton wrote his name into the OHL history books. Here's the video from last night!
Anson Thornton collected the dump-in behind his net, turned and saw he had time and space, and he launched the puck down the ice and hit the yawning cage with 30.7 seconds remaining in the game as the Colts earned the 4-1 victory in Game Five to go up 3-2 in their series. Thornton also stopped 23 of 24 shots he faced for the win as the Colts took one step closer to advancing!

Thornton's goal marks the tenth time an OHL goalie has been credited with a goal, and is the first goalie to score since since Peterborough's Dylan Wells last scored on April 13, 2017 against the Kingston Frontenacs - also in the playoffs! - as he becomes the fifth goalie to score in the OHL playoffs! Who are the other goalies, you may be asking? The list is as follows:

• Anson Thornton (BAR) vs Hamilton - Apr. 6, 2023
• Dylan Wells (PET) vs Kingston - Apr. 13, 2017
• Tyler Parsons (LON) vs Sudbury - Oct. 9, 2015
• Mark Visentin (NIA) at Ottawa - Apr. 25, 2012
• Justin Peters (TOR) vs Sudbury - Mar. 30, 2004
• Ron Vogel (WIN) at Sarnia - Jan. 9, 1998
• Fred Brathwaite (DET) vs Sault Ste. Marie - Apr. 20, 1993
• Peter McGlynn (KIN) vs Belleville - Oct. 11, 1991
• Jason Houle (NBC) vs Kitchener - Sept. 25, 1988
• Chris Clifford (KIN) vs Toronto - Jan. 7, 1986

We know the lowly Coyotes could use some scoring, but I don't think they were expecting Anson Thornton to be the answer. He likely will end up back at the Coyotes' development camp next fall to see if he can crack a roster in the AHL or ECHL, but he's got a job to do with the Barrie Colts right now as Game Six goes on Monday. The Colts will look to eliminate the Bulldogs in Hamilton, and they'll need a big game out of Thornton regardless of whether he's making saves or scoring goals.

If Anson Thornton were to score a second goal in a playoffs series as a goalie? That would be all sorts of incredible!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!