Finlay Russell age 4, Linden Russell age 6 and Braden Russell age 8, join me in thanking you for joining us this evening. We'll be back here again tomorrow to live blog game four. Good night!
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Three stars....1. Kujawinski 2. Smith 3.Appleby
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Final score 2-1...Oshawa outshot the troops 35-33. NB leads series 2-1 with game four tomorrow at the Gardens at 7 p.m.
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Troops salute the fans with sticks held high. His 6th of playoffs......Nick Moutrey gets the primary assist with Hendriksson getting the other at 10:28 of OT. Wow this place just exploded!
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Troops Score!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kujawinski into a yawning cage. Appleby out of position.
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Hard to see this game going long...too many opportunities.
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Gens score, but whistle had gone..offside I think. No argument from Oshawa.
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Santos battling. Bratina shoots....good save. 14:06 left in first OT...very exciting. Bratina playing very well. Very quick.
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Appleby almost puts it into his own net. Gets tangled in his own feet after a backboard rebound. That was close.
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Troops good opportunity but offside called. I see a few empty seats but for the most part fans are hanging in.
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Smith a key save...this thing going end to end.
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Good chance Gens...Troops come back...both teams want to end this OT early.
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Appleby no stick....Troops pressure...scramble in front of net...Troops almost score...that was close!
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Overtime underway...Troops come out strong...great save Appleby...
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Birthday Boy Vince Caliciuri and budding broadcaster Tommy Wong doing the intermission on Rogers Radio broadcast.
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Went to get a snack...didn't want to wait in line though.
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Soo and Erie tied at 4 in the third in the other game.
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Well folks settle in....3rd over....it overtime. 1-1...SOG 30 -26 Gens so the Troops have narrowed the gap.
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For the second game in a row it looks like we're in for overtime. Troops pressure....
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Wood a shot...mishandled...rolling puck cleared.
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Problem with Smith's net...crew comes out...problem fixed. 3 mins left.
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50-50 tonight is $5,796.50. Att is 4,208.
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Ben Thomson just introduced...loud cheer from appreciative crowd.
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Six minutes left till overtime...close checking game but there have been plenty of chances. both goalies outstanding so far.
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Unsung hero...don't know this guys name but he fixed the goal lights during intermission.
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Bratina showing no ill effects from that late hit into the boards in game 2 in Oshawa. Shot by Bruce almost sneaks through.
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Liberati a shot from the point, easy save. 8:28 left in 3rd. Troops PP over.
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Lindberg 2 for interference...McKenzie and McCarron each get 2 for roughing. Miller 2 for unsportmanlike conduct. Cassels 2 for cross checking. Bottom line, Troops PP.
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Miller and Cassels go off...fans very upset by refereeing. "We need a ref" they chant.
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Lindberg runs Smith....McKenzie comes to his aid...McCarron gets 2...??, McKenzie also gets 2....where's the justice here? Will have to wait for announcement, but PP Troops.
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What a difference behind the bench between Butler and D.J.Smith. Butler never changes expression while Smith is quite animated.
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Miller in alone...save Appleby, who has been strong when needed.
Battalion still strong on faceoffs this period at 5-1.
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Troops kill the penalty...need something good to happen. Bratina breaks in but is held, no call.
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Smith another save...Troops on their heels for this PP. Shots 26-15 Gens.
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Troops penalty Mike Baird 2 for roughing at 3:06. Gens on PP.
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No surprise here:)
Otters’ Connor McDavid named CHL Player of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2015 NHL Draft top prospect Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 26 after recording nine points in three games scoring seven goals and two assists.
McDavid earns the award for the second time this post-season after extending his playoff-long point-streak to 12 games helping the Otters take a 2-1 series lead against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL’s Western Conference Championship Series. In Game 1 last Thursday night, the Otters trailed 3-0 when he scored a natural hat-trick to tie the game before the Greyhounds prevailed 6-3. McDavid earned third star honours in the contest. His four-point performance in Game 2 on Friday night led the Otters to a 5-2 win scoring twice including the game-winner plus two assists, followed by a two-goal effort on Sunday scoring a shorthanded marker plus the game-winner as second star of a 4-2 victory in Game 3. The series continues with Game 4 on Tuesday night in Erie and Game 5 Thursday night in Sault Ste. Marie with both games to be broadcast live on Sportsnet 360.
McDavid, an 18-year-old from Newmarket, ON, is playing in his third OHL season with the Otters. The OHL playoff scoring leader has 32 points in 12 games including 18 goals and 14 assists after finishing the regular season campaign with 120 points in 47 games. McDavid is the top ranked skater for the 2015 NHL Draft appearing first in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
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Second period recap
1st Period-1, Oshawa, Desrocher 2 (Cirelli), 11:57 (PP). 2, North Bay, Huether 4 (McKenzie), 15:54. Penalties-Manchurek Osh (hooking), 6:12; Baird Nb (interference), 10:14; Brown Osh (instigator, fighting, misc-instigating), 16:39; Miller Nb (fight-inst. upon), 16:39; Moutrey Nb (slashing), 17:15.
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Smith Osh (cross checking), 3:04; Olsson Nb (cross checking), 3:04.
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Second period is underway.
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Kelsey Richard does a great job getting the crowd involved and doing intermission interviews.
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Second period over. Score 1-1. SOG 24 - 14 Gens.
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Paul with a shot close in but save made. Gonna miss this guy if he doesn't return and I don't expect him to. Senators will get a great player for sure.
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Kujawinski steamrolls Carlisle...
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2 on 1 for Troops...Appleby the big save!
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Smith looking like Carey Price tonight.
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Troops taking every opportunity to lay on the body. But Gens a big team also. Smith a big toe save. Some NHL team really should draft this guy.
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Troops now with pressure...Wood shoots...just missed...now the Gens ice it. 5:51 left. 1-1.
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Kosack a good game tonight...nice pass to Moutrey who can't convert. Troops ice it to relieve the pressure.
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Note to self...bring ear plugs to tomorrow's game.
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Gens giveaway in front of their net...Nick Paul shoots.....save made.
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Yikes, Gens really pouring it on. Mid period TV timeout...8:56...really loud in here...bells are giving me a headache....
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Moutrey flattens Carlisle....another incredible save by Smith. Miller breaks up a 2 on 1.
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Fans are really shoehorned in for this one. Can't wait to hear the 50-50.
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Hampus Olsson turned 20 on Monday.
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Play about even this period which means the Troops are playing better. Shots now 17-9. Kujawinski has all three of Troops shots this period.
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General bulked up this year to play the Battalion, but it's the Troops throwing their weight around so far this game.
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Troops pressing now...Moutrey almost breaks in....2 on 1 Gens.....HUGE save Smith!!!!!!!!!!! Fans giving giving him a standing ovation. This is wild...how did he do it?
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Penalties to Olsson and Hunter Smith...2 each for cross checking.
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Amadio takes a check from Pedersen...no harm done...Troops 4 & 1 in faceoffs so far this period according to Kort. Smith very strong again tonight. Scouts take notice.
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Riley Bruce lays a lick on Cassels.....Bruuuuuu chants the crowd.
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Somebody gonna hurt someone by the Eagles never grows old! Nice stickhandle by Santos...we seem to have hit a lull.
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Ready to go for the second period...teams are out.
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Here's a recap of the first period.
Oshawa Generals 1 at North Bay Battalion 1
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 - North Bay Memorial Gardens
Oshawa 1 0 0 - 1
North Bay 1 0 0 - 1
1st Period-1, Oshawa, Desrocher 2 (Cirelli), 11:57 (PP). 2, North Bay, Huether 4 (McKenzie), 15:54. Penalties-Manchurek Osh (hooking), 6:12; Baird Nb (interference), 10:14; Brown Osh (instigator, fighting, misc-instigating), 16:39; Miller Nb (fight-inst. upon), 16:39; Moutrey Nb (slashing), 17:15.
Shots on Goal-Oshawa 15-0-0-15. North Bay 6-0-0-6.
Power Play Opportunities-Oshawa 1 / 2; North Bay 0 / 2.
Goalies-Oshawa, Appleby 9-3-0-0 (6 shots-5 saves). North Bay, Smith 9-1-1-0 (15 shots-14 saves).
Referees-Sean Reid (26), Pat Myers (40).
Linesmen-Jean-Francois Menard (52), Devin Berg (97).
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In the other game tonight...The Soo and Erie are tied at 2 after the first period.
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The Battalion players have raved about the "7th man"...hey we're among the enlightened so we set out to search for the "7th woman"...Here she is Kathy Tetreault!
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There was a tailgate party before the game. Here DJ Cobra Dean Haley spins the hot wax as we used to call it. Wow, really dating myself.
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Period over. 1-1...SOG...15 - 6 for Gens. These teams don't like each other! Hits are 16-7 for Troops.
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McIvor a huge hit on Lindberg...sent him flying into the boards. Brown gets 2 for instigating and 5 for fighting. Miller 5 for fighting. Game really getting physical now...up another gear.
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Kujawinski another good night at the dot...now 7-2 on faceoffs. Slashing penalty to Moutrey. PP Gens.
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Big collision at centre ice between Miller and Brown...fists are flying furiously....refs break it up....Miller jumps up gesturing to the crowd...they love it.
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Huether from McKenzie at 15:54 all tied up at 1.
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Ray Huether in front....he scores on a wrister!!!! What a beauty....4th of playoffs.
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Shots now 11-4 and that's a pretty fair indication of the play. 5 mins left. Troops outhitting Gens 13-6.
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11:57 the goal by Steve Durocher. 1-0 Gens. Smith is really being tested now. Could be another goal or two if he wasn't on his game.
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Fans chanting to try and rally Troops. A bit of air taken out of the place. Here comes Bob McIntyre leading some cheers. Gens carrying play to Troops now.
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Big pressure by Gens...Smith a couple of great saves...puck bounces off Miller and Smith covers up. Gens score! Slapshot from the slot on the PP.
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Fans were all given these 7th man towels before the game. Being put to good use.
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Nick Paul 3 for 3 in faceoffs so far. Penalty coming to Troops...Baird 2 for interference. Mid period TV timeout.
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Troops looking a little tentative.
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No sog during that PP....Troops stuck at 1 shot...Gens 6 but play even.
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Not much pressure by NB PP so far. :45 left.
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Smith a pad save...penalty Gens...Manchurek 2 for hooking. Troops on PP. at 6:12
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Kujawinski a backhander...just wide. This is going to be a close hard-hitting game.
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Smith makes a chest save...shots 3-1 Gens. Miller is hauled down, no call. Miller yells at ref...to no avail.
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Liberati drifts one just wide of the net...Kosack a great chance. Appleby makes the stop on his chest. Great action so far. Both teams are pumped.
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Miller staples Mistele to the boards....looks like that one hurt. Gens with early pressure.
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Another fine job of O Canada by Lisa Benoit and we're ready to go! Puck is dropped Troops win the draw. Fans chant immediately...or should I say 7th men:)
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Recognize this guy? Ben Thomson, popular Battalion player from last year is here to cheer on the Troops. He was standing next to me so I snapped a quick picture. Ben tells me he's here for a few days and is planning on coming back to North Bay for the next series.
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The tank is being inflated and Sarge is standing by for his pregame skate. Must be a sellout tonight.
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Zamboni drivers are wearing Battalion jerseys and flying club flags.
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Happy birthday goes to a good friend and super sports booster in the city...Vince Caliciuri...He's 51.
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Gens lineup
North Bay's Ken Appleby in net
Matt Mistele - Cole Cassels - Hunter Smith
Mike Dal Colle - Mike McCarron - Tobias Lindberg
Brent Pedersen - Anthony Cirelli - Joe Manchurek
Mitch Vande Sompel - Aiden Wallace - Mike Turner
On D
Will Petchenig - Josh Brown
Dakota Mermis - Chris Carlisle
Steve Durocher - Sonny Hertzberg
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Warmup is over. Puck drop in about 15 minutes.
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Battalion’s Jake Smith named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Jake Smith of the North Bay Battalion is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending April 26 after posting a 1-0-1-0 record with a goals-against-average of 0.99 and save percentage of .971.
Smith made 68 saves in two games backstopping the Battalion to a two-game split on the road against the Oshawa Generals in the OHL’s Eastern Conference Championship Series. In Game 1 of the series on Friday night he made 30 saves as part of a 6-1 Battalion victory, then made 38 saves in Game 2 on Sunday earning second star honours despite a 1-0 overtime loss to the Generals. The series continues with Game 3 Tuesday night and Game 4 Wednesday night in North Bay.
Smith, a 20-year-old from Oakville, ON, is playing in his third OHL season with the Battalion. So far this post-season he carries a 9-1-1-0 record including one shutout victory and leads the OHL with a 1.84 goals-against-average and a .934 save percentage.
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Battalion starting lineup.
Jake Smith in goal with Jake Kment as backup.
Forward lines:
Zach Bratina - Nick Paul - Mike Amadio.
Nick Moutrey - Ryan Kujawinski - Slex Henriksson
Brett McKenzie - Ray Huether - Matt Santos
Mike Baird - Zach Poirier - Hampus Olson
Defence pairings:
Miles Liberati - Marcus McIvor
Brenden Miller - Kyle Wood
Austin Kosack - Riley Bruce
Coach Stan Butler
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Scratched for North Bay. Zach Shankar, Owen Green, David Sherman and Mark Shoemaker.
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Teams are out for the warmup. Our BayToday team tonight with me is Chris Dawson who will do video highlights, Liam Berti doing the game story and Kortney Leatherdale...stats guy.
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Beauty and the Beast. Outside at the tailgate party I ran into Captain Oshawa and Battalion employee Morgan Bossert. Fans having a great time out there and the weather is fantastic. Photos by Jeff Turl.
Welcome to our Eastern Conference Championship Series between the North Bay Battalion and Oshawa Generals. It's game three with the series tied at one. Game time is 7 p.m.
