The North Bay Battalion put on an impressive performance as they defeated the division-leading Niagara IceDogs in a thrilling match on Friday night.
The Battalion came out strong, dominating the first period with a goal from Brandon Coe just over a minute into the game. They continued to control the pace of the game, with strong defensive plays and solid goaltending from Christian Propp.
In the second period, the IceDogs fought back, tying the game with a goal from Ivan Lodnia. However, the Battalion responded quickly with a goal from Luke Moncada, giving them a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.
The final period saw both teams battling hard, but it was the Battalion who came out on top. They extended their lead with a goal from Brad Chenier, and despite a late goal from the IceDogs, the Battalion held on for a 3-2 victory.
This win marks the Battalion’s third consecutive victory and improves their record to 14-9-0-0, placing them second in the Central Division.
Head coach Stan Butler praised his team’s effort, stating, “I thought we played a really good game tonight. We were disciplined, we were physical, and we got some timely goals.”
The Battalion will look to continue their winning streak as they face off against the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday. With their impressive performance against the division leaders, the Battalion have proven themselves as a strong contender in the OHL this season.