The North Bay Battalion are back home after taking two of three during last weekend’s western road swing through Flint, Saginaw and Sault Ste. Marie.
Tonight the Mississauga Steelheads pay a visit to Memorial Gardens for the annual Pink in the Rink game in support of the Canadian Cancer Society and breast cancer awareness.
The Troops come in fresh off Sunday’s overtime win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
“Like a lot of our year, there were some points where we weren’t very good, and I thought there were some points where we were good,” assistant coach Adam Dennis said Wednesday of the road trip.
“The nice thing was that I thought our finishes to games were a little bit better, which hasn’t been something that we’ve done a great job at so far this season, so that was definitely promising. I thought Sunday was our best game and to do that when it’s your third game in two and a half nights is something that’s very promising. It says a lot about your team and its character.”
But, Dennis acknowledged, some issues remain to be addressed.
“I look to our first two periods in Flint and the third period in Saginaw, and there are still some things to work on.”
Brazeau, who leads the Battalion in points production with eight goals and as many assists in 10 games, said the Troops were in good spirits on the final leg back to North Bay.
“It’s one of the better feelings after a game and bus ride we’ve had in a long time here. Any time you can have that feeling after a game, it’s huge. We’re trying to keep having that feeling moving forward here and get some more wins.”
Brazeau had a different take from the standard reaction to playing three games in less than 48 hours.
“I’ve always found you’re not as tired as you think you are. When you get up in the morning you’re sluggish and stuff, and by the time the puck drops you seem to have some legs. It’s weird.
“I find the game in Saginaw the hardest one, actually, the second one. I might be different from every other guy, but I find the third game, the last game of the weekend, you just give it your all and you’re done for a day off the next day.”
The Troops are still dealing with some injuries including key players like Matthew Struthers, Daniel Walker and impressive rookie Cameron Peters. Kurtis Evans continues to sit out a suspension.