The North Bay Battalion has gone a perfect two-for two in Michigan this weekend after holding the Flint Firebirds back with a 3-2 victory.
The Firebirds looked to have control early as Matthew Wang (3) beat Dom DiVincentiis at the 12:10 mark. Just over two minutes later, Coulson Pitre (23) added to the lead, making the game 2-0 Flint through the first twenty minutes played.
In the second Justin Ertel (22) found himself with a penalty shot opportunity and converted, beating Firebirds netminder Jacob Brown glove side. The goal is Ertel’s second in as many games and third in four.
With work to do in the third, the Troops got off to a fast start as 1:29 in Dalyn Wakely (29) received a pass in front of the net from Owen Van Steensel, and made no mistake as he netted the equalizer. Three minutes later the hottest goal scorer in the OHL continued to terrorize goalies as Sandis Vilmanis (28) put his stick between his legs and potted it past Brown to give North Bay their first lead.
The Troops held on, taking Flint down 3-2 and with the victory clinch a playoff spot in the OHL Eastern Conference.
Continuing their trip, the Battalion will take on the Sarnia Sting on Sunday.
The game will mark the return to Sarnia for Vilmanis, along with Andrew and Jacob LeBlanc who were traded to North Bay in January. It will also be the first time seeing former Troops Carter Kostuch and Alex Cajokvic.
Puck drop from Sarnia is 2:05 p.m.
