A last minute Kyle McDonald goal was the difference during a battle of two of the top three teams in the OHL Thursday in North Bay as the Battalion took down Windsor Spitfires 5-3.
“It was a fun game and fun night,” head coach Ryan Oulahen said post game.
"Wow, they are a good team over there. I thought we rose to the challenge and there are things we can clean up for sure and in Battalion fashion we made it interesting at the end.
“It’s fitting for McDonald and Zito to be a part of that goal, that the was kind of cool, so I am really happy for the guys in there.”
The game started quickly in Windsor’s favour as former Troop, and making his first appearance since a 2021 trade from North Bay, Alex Christopoulos (27) beat Dom DiVincentiis to give the Spits a 1-0 lead. Alex is the twin brother of Battalion defenceman Paul Christopoulos. Less than a minute later, however, Dalyn Wakely (20) tied his career high in goals as he netted a loose puck in Joey Costanzo’s crease. The Spitfires weren’t deterred though as moments later, they retook the lead off the stick of Colton Smith (15) to go up 2-1 after the first.
In the second period, the Troops turned up the heat as Josh Bloom (22) netted his first goal since December 28 against Sudbury. The goal was assisted by Paul Christopoulos. Before the period was up, former Spitfire Kyle McDonald (18) put North Bay up 3-2 heading in to the second intermission.
Just over five minutes in to the third, Liam Greentree (18) wired a laser past DiVincentiis to tie the game at 3-3. The score remained that until 19:02 left in the third when McDonald (19) put the Troops up 4-3, before a Paul Christopoulos (2) empty net tally sealed the deal.
“I love those kids so much,” stated Oulahen on the twins. “The move made both players excel and that was the point of it. Alex has gone to Windsor and he’s a heckuva player while Paul is steady eddy and you see the minutes he plays every night, he’s been unbelievable.
“It was fun to be with them for a year in practice with the brotherly going at it, so I knew there would be some intensity with those guys today.”
The coach also offered up his thoughts on his former bench boss Stan Butler landing a head coaching job with the Erie Otters.
“Not many thoughts. It’s Erie’s business and what they’re doing, and we’re just worried about what the Battalion are doing and it’s status quo on that.
“I don’t think so,” Oulahen said on facing him when the Otters visit February 16th. “I’ve done it before, and it’s never going to be an issue. The group of players in here never really had him as a coach so I don’t think anything will be an issue with that.”
The Troops are back in action Saturday when they travel to St. Catharine’s to take on the Niagara IceDogs.
