Center Brett McKenzie already has three goals in two pre-season games with the Battalion. Two of them came in the third period against the Subdury Wolves on Monday at Memorial Gardens. PHOTO by: Tom Martineau
Brett McKenzie scored two unanswered goals in the third period, to cap an impressive 4-0 win for the North Bay Battalion on Monday afternoon. One of them was a highlight reel shorthanded marker early in the period.
“All the lines were clicking today. I thought for the whole team had great chemistry, including the defence. They were all playing well and I think their play helped us with those goals,” added McKenzie after the game.
Assistant coach Ryan Oulahen was making decisions behind the bench as Stan Butler continued to assess his players from the gallery. Oulahen had nothing but praise for the way his centerman led the charge in the entire game.
“I think for him, he would want the season to start tomorrow. He’s got a lot of confidence and skating really well. He had a really good game today.”
Goaltenders Jake Smith and Evan Cormier each played a period and a half and combined for 18 saves and the shutout win.
“It’s a huge bonus for us, for those two guys, but that is what we expect. We expect to have good goaltending this year and they showed it today,” said Oulahen.
The other Battalion goals came from Swedish Import Hampus Olsson in the first period and Zack Poirier in the second.
“I thought for the most part our guys did a good job of playing hard. That is all we are focusing on right now. We haven’t touched on systems or had a chance to practice, power plays, penalty kills and all that stuff. At times it can be frustrating as a coach having everything scattered in exhibition, but the compete level is there and that what we are focusing on right now,” added Oulahen.
The Battalion won the opening game of the home and home series in Sudbury on Sunday and will look to go 3-0 in exhibition play when they host the Peterborough Petes Thursday night.
