Battalion forward Nick Paul was all over the net in Sunday's game versus the Mississauga Steelheads. Paul finished the game with two goals. PHOTO by: Jazz Mathon
Brenden Miller had a goal and an assist, including the game winner, as the North Bay Battalion came from behind in the third period to beat the Mississauga Steelheads 4-3.
Despite badly out chancing and out shooting the Mississauga Steelheads in the first period, the North Bay Battalion found themselves in a hole early, thanks to some sloppy puck play in their zone. That led to two quick goals and a stunned Memorial Gardens’ crowd.
“You got to come back and check. I mean the first two goals where we had a chance to get pucks out on the boards and we didn’t get the puck out,” said Battalion coach Stan Butler.
A much different Battalion team took to the ice in the second. Nick Paul got the offense going with a breakaway marker at the 3:29 mark and then a minute later Zach Bratina scored, as he too was able to attack the net uncontested.
“Last year we were down a lot and we know how to come back. We never let it get to us. We have to keep going and keep on putting pucks on the net and they are going to end up in the back of the net. The team played great today and we ended up on top,” said Nick Paul, who finished the night with two goals.
North Bay continued to dominate game play for most of the period, outshooting the Steelheads 17-1. Sadly, Mississauga’s lone shot lead to the go ahead goal on yet another bad clearing attempt by the Battalion.
“We made it hard on ourselves. I thought for the most part we played a pretty strong game. In the second we only give them one shot and they score on it. It wasn’t Jake’s fault. It was just one of those games were we continued to battle from behind and find a way to win it,” added Butler.
A big part of the comeback was the play of veteran Brenden Miller. He assisted on Paul’s game tying goal, which was reviewed because of a high stick and then scored the game winner on a sharp wrister.
“He’s a competitive kid and this is his last year in the league and he is trying to get an NHL contract. We saw Barclay do that last year and he is just giving everything he’s got every game to do whatever it takes for the team to win,” said Butler.
There were some tense moments in the final minute as Zach Bratina was called for holding with twenty seconds left in the game. Mississauga could not capitalize on the six on four opportunity, despite winning the final face off in the North Bay zone.
