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North Bay Battalion defenceman Brenden Miller, centre, scored two goals in the Troops' 6-0 win against the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday afternoon, earning first-star honours in the last regular season game of his OHL career. PHOTOS BY TOM MARTINEAU
It was a meaningless game as far as standings and post-season playoff positions.
But if Sunday afternoon's regular season finale between the North Bay Battalion and Kingston Frontenacs was in any way a playoff preview, their opening round series is going to be heated.
With the two teams set to square off in the Eastern Conference quarter finals, it was a physical frenzy with no shortage of heated exchanges both on and off the ice.
In the end though, the Troops sent a strong message by frazzling the Frontenacs 6-0 at Memorial Gardens.
In the last regular season game of his OHL career, defenceman Brenden Miller extended his franchise record-setting stat line with two goals, including the game-winner in the first period.
Former Front Ryan Kujawinski also scored two goals of his own, while Mike Amadio and Zach Bratina matched each other with three assists apiece.
Jake Kment won the battle of the backup goaltenders, stopping 21 Frontenac shots for his first career shutout, maintaining his perfect OHL starting record.
“It’s just getting the intensity ramped up for playoff hockey,” Miller said after the game. “We are going to hate them for seven games and they are going to hate us for seven games; there’s no friends out there.”
A three-goal first period was just the jump-start that the Troops were looking for on Sunday afternoon.
Miller wasted no time starting the onslaught after stepping into a stray puck that emerged from a scramble in front of the Kingston net.
Then, after defenceman Austin Kosack scored his second of the season off a slap shot from the slot, Miller notched his 19th of the campaign with a screened wrist shot on an odd-man rush.
Miller’s two tallies marked the first time in his five-year OHL career that he scored more than one goal in a game.
Kujawinski capitalized on his former club in the second period, reaching with one arm and finishing off a slick saucer pass from Kosack on an odd-man rush in close, extending his three-game goal scoring streak.
Brett McKenzie then added to a three-game point streak of his own by finishing off a pretty pass from a sprawling Amadio, his 11th of the season.
But the game wasn’t complete without a fantastic finish by Kujawinski, who iced the game with a flashy one-hand goal around the outside of the Frontenac goaltender on a late breakaway.
An undisciplined Kingston squad surrendered nine power play opportunities to the Battalion, two of which the Troops took advantage of.
Besides Miller, overagers Marcus McIvor and Ray Huether also played the final regular season game of their OHL careers. All were given the option to sit out in preparation for the playoffs, which the players say was never an option in their mind.
“We all wanted to play our last game; it’s a chapter of our life completely gone here, so there was no way we were missing this game,” said Miller.
Even though the Frontenacs were without the services of four prolific players, including Calgary Flames prospect Sam Bennett, Battalion head coach Stan Butler said Sunday’s tilt was a good way to dial in the details of his team's game.
"They are a very strong defensive team with a very good goalie, so you know they are not going to give you a lot,” Butler said in anticipation for the playoffs. “With what you do get, you have to make sure you do something with it.”
“We know that they were missing some players that will be in the lineup Friday, and we know it’s going to be a really, really tough series so we just have to be ready for that,” Butler added.
The Battalion end the season with a four-game winning streak, the longest of the campaign after battling consistency woes until recently.
Game one of their opening round matchup is set for Friday night at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens followed by game two on Sunday afternoon.
Team Awards
The Battalion also handed out their team awards prior to opening puck drop on Sunday.
Nick Paul, who didn’t dress in Sunday’s game, had the biggest haul, winning the most outstanding player, humanitarian of the year and fan favourite awards.
The other awards went to:
Scholastic Player of the Year- Brett McKenzie
Overage Player of the Year- Marcus McIvor
Rookie of the Year- Zach Poirier
Defenceman of the Year- Brenden Miller
Most Sportsmanlike Player- Mike Amadio
