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Battalion scores their first goal of the playoff series. Photos by Kate Adams.
Battalion fans hungry for OHL playoff action feasted on the sweet taste of victory Friday night as the Troops defeated the Niagara Icedogs 4-0 at Memorial Gardens.
The win gives the North Bay club a 1-0 lead in the best of seven quarter final series.
Both teams came out prepared for a tough physical game and that's the way the first period unfolded in front of a rowdy, raucous crowd that had started chanting "Go Troops Go" before the first puck drop.
A scoreless opening frame gave way to a dominating second for the Battalion as the team popped four goals past Icedogs goalie Brent Moran.
Battalion coach Stan Butler had predicted the series would be decided by special teams, and it was just four minutes into the second when Dylan Blujus, on the powerplay, ripped a shot from the point to give the troops a 1-0 lead.
"We scored one powerplay goal and also scored a shorthanded goal and killed off a 5 on 3," said Butler. "We said before that it would come down to special teams and goaltending and tonight was a good example."
The Battalion struck quickly again, as just 29 seconds later Connor Jarvis scored to put the troops up by a pair.
Barclay Goodrow then did what has become familiar to North Bay fans scoring a shorthanded goal at 12:48.
Alex Hendriksson wrapped up a solid second period with a goal three minutes later much to the delight of the 3,410 fans.
"The atmosphere was awesome," said team captain Barclay Goodrow after the game. "The fans were great and really into it. Early on they gave us a boost and we were able to get some momentum from them"
Goodow received a standing ovation after a video tribute was played on the main scoreboard.
The team played the game without one of its top players. Vincent Paplan was a scratch wth the flu.
Game two of the series takes place Sunday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
