Players, coaches and fans alike were all eager to get back to Battalion hockey, and the first offering of 2021-22 was an entertaining affair that saw the Troops knock off the Owen Sound Attack 4-2 in preseason play on Saturday afternoon.
Josh Currie found a loose puck in the middle of the ice and whipped it past Corbin Votary for the game winning goal midway through the third period before Owen Outwater iced the game with an empty netter with just over a minute to play. Owen Van Steensel and Dalyn Wakely had the other goals for North Bay, while Logan LeSage and Sam Sedley replied for the Attack.
Both teams iced very young lineups, as is expected during the preseason. Owen Sound scratched all four of their overage candidates, while the Battalion had only defenseman Simon Rose as its only active player with more than a single season of OHL experience. Six Battalion players are away at various NHL camps so the team dressed only 15 skaters, but was nonetheless effective and outplayed the Attack for most of the game despite a shorter bench.
“I was certainly happy with the compete level,” said head coach Ryan Oulahen.
“There wasn’t anybody on our team that was a passenger. I thought we were balanced, and every line showed signs of clicking in certain ways. To get some of those young guys a taste and to build some confidence is great.”
Many eyes were on 2020 first overall selection Ty Nelson, who looked every bit the part of a top prospect in his first official OHL action. He had a well-rounded game, showing poise with the puck, controlling the tempo and showing off a physical element as well, with Oulahen echoing the sentiment.
“It’s very impressive, the package. It doesn’t take long to pick him out. He makes a lot happen, and does it quickly. I think things are only going to get better for him as he starts to read the game even better; things are smoother, execution is smoother. It’s going to bode well for him, he’s an exciting guy for us to have.”
Former North Bay AAA Trappers product Reece Proulx was solid in goal for the Battalion, stopping of 28 of 30 shots for the win. With Joe Vrbetic entrenched as the starter, Proulx and rookie Dom DiVincentiis will compete throughout the preseason for the backup role. The team lists 26 players total on its roster, numbering 3 goaltenders, 8 defencemen and 15 forwards so there are likely some cuts still to be made. Typically, the Battalion has had a roster of 23 or 24 during the regular season.
“As much as we are excited about the win, the goal is every day to get better. It’s going to be an even better test next weekend with a back-to-back against Ottawa, with some travel in there too.”
No one was designated as the captain for the Battalion on Saturday, though Rose, Nelson Stevens and Liam Arnsby all wore “A”s on their uniforms. The next action for the Troops comes in the aforementioned home-and-home beginning in Ottawa next Friday night before wrapping up with a 4 p.m. start at Memorial Gardens next Saturday. The Troops face Owen Sound again on the road Oct. 2 to complete its exhibition schedule.
