The North Bay Battalion find themselves up 1-0 in their best of seven series against the Kingston Frontenacs after a 6-4 victory Friday night at Memorial Gardens.
“There were a few mistakes,” assessed head coach Ryan Oulahen.
“I think there were some learning moments there, especially in the third period for our group. But I have said all season long, you never need to over analyze a win.”
“This is a good win for us and we got the job done, and it’s a good start to the series for us.”
The Troops got off to a fast start as Brandon Coe (4) continued his hot streak by beating Leevi Meriläinen just under six minutes in to the contest. Almost 10 minutes later, Kyle McDonald (3) gave North Bay a 2-0 lead. After a review to determine if the goal would be allowed on goaltender interference, it was deemed to be a good goal.
In the second, Mitchell Russell (5) added on again for North Bay for them to take a 3-0 lead 22 seconds in. Yet, before the frame was done, Kingston showed some life as Francesco Arcuri (3) found a way to beat Joe Vrbetic.
Kicking off a wild third period, Owen Van Steensel (2) scored shorthanded for the Troops. However, Kingston quickly responded as Paul Ludwinski (6) and North Bay product Lucas Edmonds (4) scored within a short frame to bring the Frontenacs within one and made the game a 4-3 score.
Late in the third, Russell (6) scored an empty netter, but then the Frontenacs struck back moments later off the stick of Martin Chromiak (2). Russell would complete the hat trick shortly after that with another empty netter to make it a 6-4 final.
“You can just look in the guys eyes,” explained Oulahen.
"We had a good bounce back and I think we feel as a group that if we get in a situation late in the game with a lead, we know what to do with it.”
“Ultimately, we had some big guys step up to the plate late, Russell, Liam Arnsby, what a game he had, big faceoff guy and you lock the door with those types of guys. Overall, not that you want to give up that lead, but when you get through it on the right side, in the long run it is a good experience for us.”
Game two is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
“I think both teams are built on what they do really well,” Oulahen said. “We’re going to stick with that. Adam (Dennis) made a really good point before the series, with two offensive hockey teams, it’s going to be the team that makes the least amount of mistakes that comes out on top.”
You can watch live on YourTV North Bay, or listen on the Battalion YouTube channel to the Frontline Gameday Broadcast.