Charlie Robertson’s first career OHL shutout helped pave the way for a decisive 5-0 North Bay Battalion victory over the visiting Ottawa 67’s.
Coming in to the game, the 67’s had only lost twice in 20 games played this year and were ranked number three in Canada in the CHL rankings.
“I give our guys credit tonight,” Troops head coach Ryan Oulahen said. “We had a game plan and we stuck to it. I don’t think there were many lulls in this game and we were able to push back when they were making pushes. It was a good night tonight.”
North Bay started the scoring halfway through the third as a Josh Bloom shot was tipped in front by Kyle Jackson (11) to beat 67's starter Max Donoso.
The game remained 1-0 until early in the second when Jackson (12) beat Donoso for his second of the game less than a minute in to the frame. Less than two minutes later, however, Nikita Tarasevich (6) netted one on a breakaway to swing momentum firmly in North Bay’s favour.
After 40 minutes played, the Battalion kept the attack up as Owen Van Steensel (5) chased Donoso from his net early in the third putting home a quick release off a deflection coming off the boards.
Anthony Romani (6) capped off the scoring as he beat back up net minder Collin MacKenzie and after some great efforts defensively, the Battalion preserved the 18 shot shutout for Robertson.
“Congrats to Charlie,” Oulahen said on his young netminder.
“That’s an impressive feat to have a shutout against that hockey team, that’s not easy. He keeps it simple and stable back there.
“We played tight, and fast in our end and that was a key coming in to it. It was a good job by our guys. They’re extremely structured and play the right way and if you play fast, it doesn’t allow them to get in to their structure.”
The Battalion hit the road on Friday as they start a five game road trip in Hamilton for a meeting with the Bulldogs.
