North Bay Battalion fans were hoping Tuesday would be a day of celebration for a game six road victory over the Colts.
Unfortunately, for Battalion faithful, it did not turn out that way as the Colts' Tyler Savard broke a late 2-2 deadlock to give the Colts an eventual 4-2 win end even the best-of-seven series at 3-3.
That sets up a game 7 at North Bay Memorial Gardens Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
While the Troops have been in North Bay for less than a decade, North Bay did host a very memorable game 7 in the first season the Troops moved to North Bay from Brampton.
In that first-ever playoff series for the newly named North Bay Battalion, the Troops fell behind 3-1 in their opening round in 2014 against the Niagara IceDogs.
They battled back and forced a game seven at Memorial Gardens on April 1, 2014.
Zach Bratina remembers that night fondly. With the Troops down 1-0 in the third, he set up Alex Henriksson for a memorable equalizer.
"That game was incredible," recalls Bratina.
"We were down 3-1 in the series against Niagara, before winning 3 straight to eventually go all the way to the OHL final. Game 7 was the first time we really felt the 7th man!! From that game on, the atmosphere in the Gardens was at a different level. Other than game 3 in the OHL final, that was one of the most fun games to be a part of. Tying the game 1-1 in the third, I do not think we had ever heard the place so loud, such great memories," added Bratina who is a skills coach and AAA Trappers hockey coach in North Bay.
See related: Troops fail to close out series, game 7 looms
See related: Battalion wins game 7 beat IceDogs
Nick Paul, who broke the hearts of Leafs fans with two goals including a game-winner in game 7 for the Lightning last year in the NHL playoffs, netted the eventual game-winner for the Troops in the exciting 2-1 Battalion win.
“It was a huge relief,” said Paul post-game of what he called the number one goal of his career. “It was a great feeling.”
Paul’s goal, his 5th of the series, was the last whistle of the game as the teams played the last 10 minutes of the game without a stoppage.
The Dogs pulled their goalie with 30 seconds remaining, and came close, but couldn’t tie the score.
Attendance for that memorable contest was 4,249.
Ironically, that game 7 win would set up the first-ever playoff matchup between the North Bay Battalion and the Barrie Colts.
Let's see what happens tonight!
Here's the highlights from that memorable contest:
