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Mississauga Steelheads

Steelheads Shot Down by Battalion

October 19, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga Steelheads News Release


MISSISSAUGA, ON - Looking to bounce back from a Friday night defeat at the hands of Brian Kilrea's Ottawa 67's, the Mississauga Steelheads made the trip north to visit the North Bay Battalion. Despite a quick start to the game for Mississauga, the Battalion had too much ammunition for the Trout to overcome, handing the Steelheads their second straight loss.

The home team started the game with pressure, testing Spencer Martin early with a number of opportunities. The Colorado prospect looked sharp between the pipes however, turning away shots and helping the Steelheads on to the counter attack. Lucas Venuto would break open the scoring early in the game, banging in his 4th goal of the season just 4 minutes into the game; both linemates Sam Babintsev and Bryson Cianfrone picked up helpers on the goal. The Trout would find their second marker of the game just 24 seconds later as Cianfrone would set Babintsev up for their second points of the night to give the Steelheads a two-goal lead early. The Battalion pushed back and the teams traded chances through the period, however Martin made save after save to keep North Bay off the board in the first. The Steelheads benefitted from having all four lines playing hard and generating chances, however they too would not find the back of the net again in the period. The highlight of the period came late in the frame, as Martin robbed Mississauga-native Nick Paul with a huge blocker save; it was one of the 21 saves made in the first period.

The Steelheads would start the second period looking to put more pucks on net, and started to build pressure early. The Steelheads would unfortunately be faced with the exact opposite of the first frame, with North Bay tying the game on a couple of quick goals. First, Paul would finally solve Martin on a breakaway opportunity, then Zach Bratina would pick up a goal of his own just 49 seconds later. The Battalion looked to go ahead with great offensive pressure, but it was the Steelheads counterattack that would shine next. Playing in his first OHL game, Marcus Dickerson drove the net, drawing the Battalion with a spin-o-rama beside the net. After hitting a Battalion stick, the puck ended up on the stick of Everett Clark, who would make no mistake as Mississauga regained the advantage. A disciplined game by both teams would find its first blemish in the second half of the second period, as Mississauga would take three penalties. Keen to get back on track following a tough effort against Ottawa on Friday, the penalty kill would return to perfection, killing all three Battalion opportunities to end the frame.

The difference in shots would eventually catch up to Mississauga in the third, as Paul batted in his second of the game to start the third period, tying the game for North Bay. Following his praise of Spencer Martin during the intermission, Brenden Miller would give the Battalion their first lead of the game on a wrist shot over Martin's glove. Miller would head to the box shortly after, giving Mississauga a great opportunity to tie the game, however the Trout could not capitalize despite a great opportunity for Venuto. As the Battalion went into defensive mode, the Trout would continue to push with chances coming for all four lines. Unfortunately, even a late powerplay could not help the Steelheads and the home team would find itself victorious, a 4-3 victory.

Spencer Martin earned third star honours with his 45-save performance.

The Steelheads will return to action this Friday evening at 7:05 PM with a trip to Plymouth, Michigan before visiting the Windsor Spitfires on Saturday, October 25. The Steelheads will return home next Sunday, October 26 for a 2:00 matinee against the Saginaw Spirit. Great seats are still available by logging on to Ticketmaster!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2014


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