Troops end regular season with a bang

The North Bay Battalion came into the final regular season game Sunday looking to take care of business, and that they did with an 8-3 thumping over the Peterborough Petes.

“We had a lot to play for today, which is a good thing for us,” explained head Coach Ryan Oulahen. “Had to take care of business, unknown of an opponent in the first round so we’ll just have to sit back and watch tonight and see what happens in the game in Oshawa.

“I liked our response, liked the way we played, especially in the third with the lead. We talked about playing a 0-0 hockey game and learn to play with that kind of lead and we took care of business.”

At time of writing, the Battalion also sit atop the Eastern Conference, but await the results of the Oshawa Generals/Sudbury Wolves game later this evening. If Oshawa wins, or loses in overtime, they overtake North Bay for the top seed.

“We are in a good situation here and you sit back and watch and see where it all folds,” Oulahen said. “I guess around 9:30 tonight the serious work starts. We know we’re starting Thursday night on home ice with the opponent yet to be determined.”

The win sees the Troops finish with a 39-20-7-2 record for 87 points and good for first in the Central Division for the third season in a row. The division win is also the fourth in 10 years since the team moved from Brampton.

“Those types of things you maybe reflect on later,” Oulahen stated. “I know this group, you want to finish as high as you can because that can dictate the road, and you want home ice as long as you can so it’s all important.

“Of course when you see a banner hanging, it’s probably something 10, 15, 20 years from now, they don’t take them down. To do it three years in a row with this core group of guys, super, super impressive.”

There was five goals scored in the first period between the two teams, but it was North Bay who struck first. Just over five and a half minutes in, Ethan Procyszyn (15) ripped a shot past Petes netminder Easton Rye. A special shoutout goes to Justin Ertel on a slick pass to Procyszyn to set up the goal. Three minutes later, Dalyn Wakely had the puck behind the net, got Rye to bite on him carrying the puck around the net, but a sneaky backhand pass found Owen Van Steensel (41) at the front of the net who tapped it in over Rye.

Later in the period Ryder McIntyre (13) was found alone in the slot and he beat Dom DiVincentiis. Yet a couple of minutes after, Anthony Romani (57) continued his torrid pace to reestablish the two goal lead on the powerplay. However, Quinton Pagé (15) scored in the last minute to make it 3-2 heading into the first intermission.

The second period was all Battalion as the team scored five goals. First, Romani (58) added on early, followed by Jacob Therrien (20) with a nice move to deke out Rye and roof it top shelf. A few minutes later, Sandis Vilmanis (38) scored a highlight reel shorthanded goal, and Wakely (39) added on, on another powerplay. Wyatt Kennedy (2) got in on the fun as well as he broke in and beat Rye.

The Petes did not want to go away quietly, however, as McIntyre (14) added his second of the game, with another Peterborough goal in the final minute of the period. The goal came on the powerplay as the Troops attempted to kill off a lengthy five-on-three penalty. North Bay held the lead 8-3 after 40 minutes of play though.

Mike McIvor replaced DiVincentiis in net for the third, but neither team put the puck in the back of the net, making the final 8-3 Battalion.

With the goal output, the Battalion finish with 300 goals scored and 240 against for a difference of +60 on the season. The team had two 40 goal scorers (Romani and Van Steensel) and could have had two more with Wakely (39) and Vilmanis (38).

“I can’t say enough about these guys,” Oulahen said. “I don’t know if it’s more special because we have been working with this group for a longer period of time. Just super coachable.

“These are players that we got to develop at 16, 17 years old and to see the seasons they had and where they’ve come from is super impressive.”

Romani finished the year with 58 goals, only trailing Justin Brazeau’s 61 from 2018/19 for the franchise lead in a season. Romani also joined Brazeau and Michael Amadio (50 in 2015/16) as the only 50 goal scorers in team history.

“Unbelievable,” Oulahen said of Romani. “Honestly, words cannot explain it, how deadly, how coachable…he goes with the comments I have already said.

“To work with someone when they have an offensive brain, I can teach them the other stuff and with Anthony he has had to learn the other stuff. He’s grown so much with his game, we’re so proud of him. I love all these guys like they’re my own kids.

“An amazing season and we want him rolling, he is and carry it over to the playoffs.”

As mentioned, North Bay awaits the winner between Oshawa/Sudbury to find out who they play. It could be the Kingston Frontenacs, or the Barrie Colts. Whoever it is, Oulahen is ready.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for all year with this group. They’ve been through it. There’s nothing we’re going to face that we haven’t felt or seen before.

“Excited, ready to go, we don’t have to change our routine or anything like that. A little anxious to see who we’re playing in the first round, it’s going to be a good test. Everyone in the Eastern Conference is deadly, so it doesn’t matter who it’s going to be, and we’ll have to play our best hockey.”

Game one starts Thursday with the Troops at home. You can catch the Frontline’s After Action Report live shortly after the final buzzer to break down all the action.