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Competition intense at Battalion training camp

'I think what you are seeing is the rewards of a lot of work that has gone in over a pandemic'

For over a year, the only sound Adam Dennis was accustomed to in his office at Memorial Gardens was the sound of a telephone ringing. 

But that changed for the Battalion GM as his ears perked up to hear the sounds of tape to tape passes, pucks hitting the goalposts, and fans, once again, cheering from the stands. 

"We have been in the rink for quite some time preparing for whenever we could start," recalls Dennis.  

"It has been quiet around here so to hear the weights being pushed in the gym. To hear pucks hitting the boards and the glass - hopefully not too many hit the glass; all of the sounds of the rink, it just feels like home again." 

Of course, Dennis was talking about the first official day of Battalion scrimmages at Memorial Gardens on Tuesday.  The organization hosted two Green and White contests, one at 10 a.m. and another concluding the day at 5 p.m. 

A total of 37 skaters and goaltenders hit the ice for the occasion, with Team Green defeating Team White 5-3 as 2021 second-round pick Nic Sima paced the winners with two goals. Dawson Hettiarachchi’s second-period goal proved the winner for Green, which led 4-1 after 40 minutes. Anthony Romani scored the first two White goals.

Goaltender Kolton Bourret went the distance for Green, while White counterpart Charlie Robertson matched him for three 20-minute periods.

In the second game, Sharks prospect Brandon Coe scored two goals to pace a 5-2 win for White, with Arnsby also connecting. Jackson had the first Green goal. White’s Wray played the whole game, as did Green’s Proulx.

Dennis says he was impressed with the level of competition on the ice. He says their Hockey Operations group will have some tough decisions in the next few days as they whittle down the roster.  

However, he pointed out how impressed he was with many of his 2020 OHL draft selections who he believes, have made the most of their time away from normal hockey. 

"I think what you are seeing is the rewards of a lot of work that has gone in over a pandemic, it has not been exactly a straightforward training regime," noted Dennis.  

"I really look at the 2004 class and across the board. I think there is an average of 15 pounds of muscle put on every single one of those kids which is a great thing. They certainly took advantage and made lemonade out of lemons over a tough year so it is a very big positive for us.  I think it is the culture that we want. We want competition and we want the young guys to push the older guys."

The Battalion will commence scrimmages at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. again today at Memorial Gardens.    

With files from Battalionhockey.com


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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