The North Bay Battalion will open its best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Sudbury Wolves at home at 7 p.m. Thursday, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Monday.
It is the first time the Battalion have met in a playoff series against their northern rivals since the team relocated to the Gateway City in the summer of 2013.
The Battalion finished first in the Central Division and second in the conference, while Sudbury was third in the division and fifth in the conference giving North Bay home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series.
The clubs meet in the playoffs for the fourth time and the first since the Battalion relocated to North Bay from Brampton in 2013.
Sudbury won a 2005 conference quarterfinal in six games before the Battalion swept a 2012 quarterfinal.
Sudbury prevailed in five games in a 2013 quarterfinal to end the Battalion Brampton era.
Following is the series schedule:
Thursday, April 11, at North Bay 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, at North Bay 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16, at Sudbury 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 at Sudbury 7:05 p.m.
*Saturday, April 20, at North Bay 7 p.m.
*Monday, April 22, at Sudbury 7:05 p.m.
*Tuesday, April 23, at North Bay 7 p.m.
See related: Battalion out Fronts with Game 5 victory
The Battalion moved on to the Eastern Conference semi-finals after dispatching the Kingston Frontenacs in five games, with the Troops securing the series with a convincing 5-1 win over the Fronts on home ice on Friday night.
