A trio of local hockey teams have been recognized in national rankings this week.
Among the hottest clubs in the circuit, the North Bay Battalion has put together a five-game win streak, kept alive over the past week with key victories over Niagara, Hamilton, and Erie. Among the key producers was Matvey Petrov, who was named the OHL player of the week.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound Russian import, who turned 19 on March 12, leads the Troops with 20 points on eight goals and 12 assists in 14 games this season.
Petrov scored four goals and earned two assists for six points as North Bay posted three wins in as many nights.
“Matvey has been a real driver for us during this current streak,” said Adam Dennis, Battalion General Manager in a release.
“He’s upped his intensity in all facets of his game in recent weeks, and we’re happy to see him rewarded for his efforts.”
The Troops host the Guelph Storm on Thursday night at North Bay Memorial Gardens.
Meantime, south of the city in Powassan, the Battalion affiliate Voodoos are riding their own winning streak.
The Voodoos slipped in at the number 20 spot in the 131-team CJHL national rankings thanks to a seven-game winning streak as they sport a 15-6 record this year.
The Voodoos travel to Sudbury to face North Bay's Marshall McCharles and the Greater Sudbury Cubs on Thursday night.
In the OUA, coach Darren Turcotte continues to guide his successful program as the Nipissing Lakers Varsity Women's hockey team is ranked eighth in Canada this week, which is down four spots from the previous week.
The Lakers sport a 4-1 record, and took their first loss of the season last weekend falling 3-1 at the hands of the York Lions.
The Lakers are back on the ice Wednesday night as they host Ontario Tech. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.
