Zach Poirier got the goal parade started at the six minute mark of the first period. The Battalion responded with five more, to blank the Sudbury Wolves 6-0. Photo by: Sean Ryan
Alex Henriksson scored two goals and added an assist as the North Bay Battalion easily disposed of the Sudbury Wolves 6-0. The troops didn’t waste any time taking control of the game, scoring three times in the opening period.
After the opening marker by Zach Poirier, Kyle Wood scored a highlight reel goal by unloading a bullet from the top of the circle, sending the Gatorade bottle flying into the air. Henriksson potted his first of the game in closing minute, by tucking away the puck with plenty of traffic in front of the net. Nick Paul scored the lone goal in the second and Hampus Olsson helped put the game out of the reach in third period with his second marker of the season and assisting on Henriksson’s second goal.
“It was a big game for all of us. We stepped up as a team and we battled hard for sixty minutes,” shared Henriksson. “It’s always fun scoring two goals in a game, so I am happy with the win and Jake Smith was amazing in net.”
North Bay limited Sudbury to just 15 shots, helping Smith record his fourth shutout of the season.
“It’s always good when the defense and the forwards to their part in the defensive zone, so it’s a good confidence booster for the team and for myself,” said Jake Smith.
While the Battalion did dominate on the offensive end, they sometimes struggled clearing the puck out of their zone.
“We turned the puck over a lot and that is something we need to get better at. Mike Amadio had five turnovers in the first period so we have to manage the puck better and be a lot smarter and there were times that we didn’t do that. With teams coming up like the Soo, if you don’t manage the puck a lot better, you’re going to be in trouble,” stressed Stan Butler. However the Battalion coach was happy to see other players stepping up and contributing offensively.
North Bay is back in action this Wednesday when they host the Mississauga Steelheads.
