A Kyle Jackson hat trick made for some good home cooking for the North Bay Battalion Thursday as they took down the Kingston Frontenacs 6-2.
“It was impressive at times tonight for sure,” Battalion head coach Ryan Oulahen stated. “I thought we were patient while keeping the puck in the offensive zone and we stuck with it.”
“Hopefully we can continue to get better and keep improving on this.”
It was all Battalion in the early going, yet Kingston broke the ice first as Maddox Callens (4) found a way past Dom DiVincentiis. After the goal, North Bay continued to pressure before Jackson (8) scored his first of the night on a deke move that fooled Frontenacs goalie Mason Vaccari to tie the game 1-1.
Riding that momentum, the Troops capitalized on early in the second as a Ty Nelson (7) point shot made it 2-1. The goal was assisted by Brayden Hislop, his first point since a trade with Saginaw earlier this week.
“Hislop is someone who is a little unsung,” Oulahen explained.
“Just does all the little things us as coaches appreciate. We’ve spent a lot of time watching video on him, and we feel he’s an underrated piece that’s really going to add to our depth and play against other teams top guys.”
As the period progressed, Jackson (9) added his second, while other newcomer Josh Bloom (8) potted his first in green after being left alone in front of the net.
“When you get to insert someone who was a captain of another team, and I spent a lot of time with him at the World Junior camp, it’s really impressive,” Oulahen said on Bloom.
“He plays with pace and energy, and with the style and how we play, he’s going to be really good with us.”
In the third, Kingston showed life as Dallas Stars prospect Francesco Arcuri (14) pulled the Fronts to within two. However, Jackson (10) completed his hat trick, and Justin Ertel (6) capped off a four point night to make the final 4-2.
North Bay is back in action tomorrow when they look for some revenge against the Kitchener Rangers on the road.
“We have to get off to a real good start,” Oulahen said. “They beat us out of the gates last time. They didn’t play tonight, they’ll be rested, we’ll be on the road but we’re comfortable and used to that.”
“The benefit of tonight’s game is you’re able to roll everybody and keep everyone fresh and engaged. Hopefully that will help us along this weekend.”
