Troops fall to 67's in preseason debut

It’s game on once again from North Bay Memorial Gardens as the North Bay Battalion fell 5-0 to the Ottawa 67’s in the first game of preseason OHL action.

“The guys realize it’s a lot different than a white and green game,” head coach Ryan Oulahen said post game. “You’re playing against another opponent that’s trying to accomplish a lot of things, much like we are.

“I say this year in and year out, you pick the teams you want to play in exhibition, and that’s why we like playing Ottawa. That’s a high intensity game for exhibition and it allows us to work on our stuff.”

The first goal of the game came at 15:57 of the first period as Nathan Amidovski (1), broke in on a partial two-on-one and beat Troops netminder Carter Nadon five hole. Amidovski, who is the brother of Battalion forward Lirim Amidovski, was drafted by Ottawa in the first round of this year’s OHL Priority Selection. The second goal went to the 67’s as well, as Caden Kelly (1) turned from a sharp angle, beating Nadon.

With 1:25 remaining in the first, Ottawa struck again as Chris Barlas (1) tapped a cross ice back door pass into an open cage. After one period of play, the 67’s led 3-0.

The first portion of the second period yielded some great chances for both the Troops and 67’s, but no score. Midway through the period, Ottawa changed goalies from Jaeden Nelson, who ended with 12 saves, to Collin McKenzie.

With 55 seconds left in the second, Kimi Körbler (1) pushed the puck past Nadon while on his knees for a 4-0 lead. Nadon had made a great save, coming across for a low pad stop seconds prior.

North Bay made a change in net to start the third as Charlie Larocque led the charge out on the ice. Nadon finished the night with 18 saves on 22 shots.

With 6:56 remaining in the game, Ottawa added on as Larocque attempted to cover the puck, but Kelly (2) whacked it in quickly for his second of the game. That made the final 5-0 for Ottawa.

“You look at the scoreboard, and it is what it is, but outside of that there were some things we kind of liked,” explained Oulahen. “I’m looking at the big picture, so there’s a lot I do know with our team, and a lot I don’t know. Some of the things I don’t know, that’s what impressed me.

“Some of the young kids can really skate, there’s some good skill, the guys on the back end can move the puck well. We didn’t extend our shifts and get running around and I thought we did an ok job in the game and I liked a lot of what we were doing. Outside of the scoreboard, it wasn’t all that bad tonight.”

The Troops will welcome a familiar face back to the Gardens Sunday for their next game when they host the Owen Sound Attack. Former Powassan Voodoos head coach, and Battalion assistant coach, Scott Wray makes his head coaching debut in North Bay. This will be the first time the former colleagues in Oulahen and Wray will face off.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him,” Oulahen stated. “I know he’s doing a good job there, we have been able to talk a bit as things have progressed.

“I know he will get a good ovation from the crowd here and it should be a good hockey game.”

Festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. as the Battalion welcome fans for Fan Fest, and puck drop against the Attack will be at 2 p.m.