The much-improved Niagara IceDogs make their first stop at Memorial Gardens tonight this season.
The IceDogs missed the playoffs last season with a 17-43-6-2 record. However, in 2024-25, the IceDogs are already at the 17-win mark with an impressive record of 17-9-1-1 and sit in second spot in the competitive Central Division of the Eastern Conference.
North Bay has a won-lost-extended record of 12-11-3 for 27 points, fifth in the Central Division.
Ryan Oulahen, Battalion head coach, feels the Troops will need a strong defensive effort against Niagara.
“The biggest thing is they’re able to score goals," stated Oulahen.
"They’re a really high-octane offensive team, they have a couple of key guys who are some of the top scorers in our league so there is a lot of danger to be had with that team."
Ryan Roobroeck paces the IceDogs with 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points in 28 games, while fellow left-winger Kevin He matches Roobroeck’s team-leading goals total and has 15 assists for 35 points in 26 games.
Consistency a key
In their two most recent games, both at home, the Troops fell 4-3 in overtime to the Erie Otters last Thursday night and defeated the Flint Firebirds 4-1 Sunday.
“The weekend, as a whole, was the consistency,” coach Ryan Oulahen said Wednesday in citing pertinent points.
“When we’re watching tape, that’s what has been the best thing about our group right now.”
Oulahen says they saw a lot of good things they can build on from that Flint victory.
“We’ve seen spurts and we’ve seen times where we’ve been able to play some good hockey within games, but that was probably the most consistent game we’ve played for 60 minutes. And even going back again, the whole weekend, pretty consistent, and I think that’s what’s starting to gel and starting to click with the younger guys. It’s not just doing it three out of four shifts; it’s doing it every shift.”
Battalion infirmary still full
The Battalion continue to battle through injuries namely up front. Oulahen noted it is unlikely Battalion fans will see star Anthony Romani return before the Christmas break.
"We are hoping to get some guys back but there have been so many injuries," admitted Oulahen.
The Battalion had five forwards out of the lineup against Flint, in centre Andrew LeBlanc, right-wingers Anthony Romani and Stepan Chukharev, and left-wingers Ihnat Pazii and Nolan Laird.
“They still need to get through a good practice, but Laird and Chukharev are guys that are pretty close,” Oulahen said.
“Hoping for them this weekend, and that would be a boost for the lineup.”
Chukharev has missed seven games since suffering an injury in a 6-5 overtime win on Nov. 17 against visiting Sudbury, while Laird has sat out two games in concussion protocol after being checked into the boards by Brady Martin in a 3-2 win on Nov. 30 at Sault Ste. Marie. Martin, who received an interference major and game misconduct, served a three-game suspension.
Troops leaders
Centre Ethan Procyszyn tops the Battalion with a team-high 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points, and defenceman Jacob LeBlanc has four goals and a team-leading 25 assists for 29 points, both in 26 games. Left winger Shamar Moses has scored six goals and added 19 assists for 25 points in 21 games since a trade from the Barrie Colts, while left winger Owen Van Steensel has 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 26 games.
The Niagara game features Gen7 Fuel Night, with the first 1,000 fans to enter the arena receiving a complimentary toque.