The North Bay Battalion (30-27-7-3) wrapped up their regular season schedule Sunday afternoon against the Ottawa 67’s(29-29-6-3). The Troops however, would close out their season with a disheartening 5-0 loss.
The game lacked much meaning when it came to the standings for the Battalion as with Ottawa wrapping up their schedule as well today. Coming into the game, the 67’s and Mississauga Steelheads held 67 points on the year, meaning they could only finish with 69 points at the most.
The Oshawa Generals sat at 73 points in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, meaning the Troops couldn’t catch them either.
Because of this, the Troops will be facing the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round of the playoffs, starting Friday, March 23rd.
Shortly after puck drop, Sasha Chemelevski would steal the puck in the 67’s end and rush down to the Battalion end, beating Christian Propp with a well placed shot to give Ottawa the early 1-0 lead.
Later in the first, an Ottawa player would break into the North Bay zone and looked to give the 67’s a 2-0 lead, however, the goal was called back on an eagle eye effort by the linesman. The score would remain at 1-0 for now.
Late in the first period, Justin Brazeau made contact with Ottawa’s goaltender, Olivier Tremblay, resulting in a goaltender interference penalty. Jesse Saban, playing in his final OHL regular season game as an overage player, voiced his concern on the play in a tone that the referee did not like resulting in an Unsportsmanlike penalty and ten-minute misconduct. On the ensuing five on three powerplay, with just 4.1 seconds left on in the first, Tyr Felhaber put Ottawa up 2-0.
Midway through the second period, some bad blood from the last meeting of these two teams. Rhys Forhan and Sam Bitten dropped the gloves, with Bitten scoring the takedown.
Shortly after the fight, Ottawa won a faceoff back to to the blue line. Carter Robertson took a long shot that beat Propp glove side and Ottawa took a 3-0 lead.
Julian Sime would take over for Christian Propp at the start of the third period, but the result was the same. Tye Felhaber would net his second of the game and 31st of the season to put the 67’s up 4-0 midway through the first.
Shaw Boomhower used his speed to get around the North Bay defence, and on his way around the net, threw the puck behind him for an old Mississauga Steelheads connection to Jacob Cascagnette out front of Julian Sime, who buried his 17th of the season. Ottawa would take a 5-0 lead.
The loss meant the Battalion finished with a 30-28-7-3 record, good for 70 points and sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Troops are next in action Friday, March 23rd when they take on the Kingston Frontenacs in game one of their playoff series. You can listen live on Country 600 CKAT, or watch live on YourTV North Bay.
