OHL North Bay Battalion

'Next One Up' on Call

Published on December 15, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


NORTH BAY, Ont. - The North Bay Battalion enters the final week of play before the Ontario Hockey League's Christmas break with challenges ahead.

The Battalion figures to have four regulars out of the lineup for a visit by the Niagara IceDogs at 7 p.m. Thursday, as well as road dates Friday night with the Mississauga Steelheads and Saturday night with Niagara.

Centre Kyle Jackson and defencemen Paul Christopoulos and Tnias Mathurin will be joined on the sidelines by centre Liam Arnsby, who suffered an upper-body injury away from the rink.

"Next one up mentality - I think that's the way we put it here," coach Ryan Oulahen said Wednesday, while allowing that Niagara will pose problems.

"It's going to be a tough stretch. You know, they're a real dangerous team.

"I know everyone looks at what the record is, but they still have dangerous offensive capabilities, and they've caused problems for us, too, and with the scores of those games they weren't as easy as they looked on the scoreboard. We've got to make sure we have our game in as good a shape as possible and play really structured."

North Bay, with a won-lost-extended record of 16-8-3 for 35 points, is first in the Central Division and holds the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Battalion has defeated the IceDogs in both meetings this season, 7-3 at home Nov. 21 and 5-1 at St. Catharines on Dec. 4.

Niagara, 6-16-1 for 13 points, is last in the division and conference and 2-13-1 in 16 games since a 4-3-0 start.

The Battalion, 8-2-2 in its last 12 games, has lost two straight. The Barrie Colts swept a home-and-home series last weekend by thin margins, winning 3-2 via shootout Saturday night at home before prevailing 1-0 Sunday on Evan Vierling's shorthanded goal at 12:30 of the third period.

Despite the two losses, North Bay remained in the Canadian Hockey League's Top 10 rankings at No. 8, down from sixth.

The Troops are in a scoring drought of 108:40, plus four shootout attempts, since Matvey Petrov connected for his second goal of the game at 16:20 of the first period at Barrie. Colts goaltender Mack Guzda, who stopped 21 shots in the second and third periods and overtime before facing the four shootout tries, made 26 saves for the shutout Sunday.

It was the first time the Battalion had been blanked since an 8-0 home-ice loss March 8, 2020, to the Ottawa 67's in what proved to be the Troops' last game before the return to play this season from pandemic cancellations.

Brandon Coe, who leads North Bay with 48 points from 15 goals and 33 assists, is second in league scoring, four points behind Kingston's Lucas Edmonds. Petrov is third in the OHL with a team-high 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points.

Danil Gushchin paces Niagara with a team-leading 16 goals and nine assists for 25 points, while Cameron Butler has six goals and 15 assists for 21 points.

The Niagara game features the Teddy Bear Toss, presented by The Brick. Fans can bring a new plastic-wrapped plush toy to the arena or buy a Brickley the Bear toy on site for $20, with proceeds going to the Children's Miracle Network, throwing it onto the ice after the Battalion scores its first goal.

Those who purchase a toy will be eligible to win a $1,000 shopping spree at The Brick, and fans can fill out a ballot in the main lobby for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.

Check out the North Bay Battalion Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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