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OHL North Bay Battalion

Road Test Continues

November 30, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


NORTH BAY, Ont. - The North Bay Battalion undertakes another set of three games in as many days when it visits the Kingston Frontenacs in Ontario Hockey League action at 7 p.m. Friday.

North Bay, which capped a two-game road trip and a three-in-three week Saturday night with a 6-3 victory over the Owen Sound Attack, is navigating a season-high stretch of five away games, with road dates Saturday night against the Peterborough Petes and Sunday against the Ottawa 67's.

The eastern swing usually starts at Peterborough, followed by Kingston and Ottawa, making for a shorter ride to the first game, but the looming trek involves covering some of the same ground twice.

"It's a little bit different this time, starting in Kingston, then having to play Peterborough and then finishing in Ottawa," Battalion coach Ryan Oulahen acknowledged Wednesday.

"We're going to go the day before. Hopefully, that gives us a little bit more energy throughout the three games on the road, so we're looking to do that.

"I think our guys kind of like it too, especially this time of year. All the hotels are decorated in Christmas environments, and it's good scenery and the guys are together, so I think we're looking forward to jumping on the road."

The Battalion has proved competitive in opponents' arenas, with a won-lost-extended record of 6-3-4 in away games. The Troops are 5-5-1 at home for an overall mark of 11-8-5 for 27 points, second in the Central Division, two points behind the Mississauga Steelheads, who hold a game in hand after a 3-2 overtime loss Wednesday to the visiting Guelph Storm.

Kingston, which lost 3-2 in overtime at home to Ottawa in another day game Wednesday, is 11-12-1 for 23 points, fourth in the East Division.

"You've got to scrape and claw," said Oulahen, who noted: "When you're playing three games in three nights, you need contributions from a lot of different people and making sure that you've got energy for that last game."

While Owen Sound, like North Bay, was playing for a third consecutive night, Ottawa is off Friday and entertains the Flint Firebirds in a day game Saturday.

Peterborough leads the East with a record of 13-5-4 for 30 points, one more than Ottawa with a game in hand. The Petes have surpassed the expectations of some observers with their current success after trading heavily to secure an OHL title last season, when they defeated the Battalion in a seven-game Eastern Conference final.

Oulahen isn't among the surprised.

"They have a style of play that, when they get complete buy-in, they're a tough team to play against. They've got a very good home-ice advantage in their home rink."

The Battalion, which hasn't won or lost more than two games in a row all season, faces its third and last three-in-three set Feb. 23-25 with road games against the Saginaw Spirit, Flint and the Sarnia Sting.

Right winger Anthony Romani paces the Battalion with a team-leading 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points, while centre Dalyn Wakely has eight goals and a team-high 23 assists for 31 points, both in 24 games. Left wiinger Owen Van Steensel has scored 11 goals and earned 14 assists for 25 points in 24 games, and defenceman Ty Nelson has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 23 games.

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