A clash of two of the top teams in the OHL was on the menu for Sunday, and after all were served, the North Bay Battalion stood victorious over the Saginaw Spirit 4-2.
“It was a really good result for us, a big win, and a good end to a really big weekend for us,” Battalion head coach Ryan Oulahen said.
"You don’t always get the first one of the weekend and you’re battling uphill, but we bounced back against Mississauga on Friday and a good one here.
“Really happy for some of the guys, and a different game with all the trades, I’m sure our guys are proud of what happened here today.”
Josh Bloom, who was acquired by the Battalion, along with Brayden Hislop from Saginaw a month ago, says it was a strange feeling seeing the Spirit jersey coming at him.
“Huge two points for our group, but it meant a lot to me and Hissy (Hislop),” Bloom explained. “Can’t say enough about our weekend, five out of six points, that’s what top teams have to do.”
“It feels extra special, but have to turn the page and look ahead to the next one. Our mindset is already on Mississauga on Thursday.”
North Bay broke the ice in the game as fresh off his teddy bear goal, Anthony Romani (9) beat Tristan Lennox just under 12 minutes in to the game.
After some more back and forth, Kyle Jackson (17) added to the lead five minutes into the second. However, Saginaw came back minutes later as Liam Storch (1) beat Dom DiVincentiis, and Pavel Mintyukov (13) tying it up on the powerplay late in the middle frame. After 40 minutes of play, the score was deadlocked at 2-2.
After the North Bay Centennials, I mean Saginaw Spirit controlled play to start the third, Dalyn Wakely (16) got the game winning goal halfway through the period, sniping it over the glove hand of Lennox. Justin Ertel (10) added an insurance marker a few moments later, with Bloom picking up an assist against his former team. When the final buzzer went, North Bay led 4-2.
Troops netminder DiVincentiis made 36 saves in the game, including a late penalty shot awarded to Mintyukov.
“He was clearly the best player on the ice tonight, that’s as simple as you can save it,” Oulahen said on his goalie. “They are a really impressive team over there, holy smokes. When you play them on a one off, it’s tough to prepare for and Dom was the best player out there.
The Battalion are back in action Thursday when they host the Mississauga Steelheads. Puck drop is at 7 p.m., and you can catch the game live on the Frontline Gameday Broadcast YouTube channel.
