The North Bay Battalion faced off against divisional rivals the Mississauga Steelheads Sunday to a healthy crowd that also had the chance to mingle with Toronto Maple Leafs alumni as it was Leafs alumni day at Memorial Gardens. Unfortunately for those in attendance, the Troops would fall 4-3 in overtime.
“I thought it was a pretty evenly played game,” Adam Dennis said shortly after the game ended.
“I thought both goalies made unbelievable saves and we had some chances to put them away but when you don’t do that, it gives the other team an opportunity to come back and score.”
Alan Lyszczarczyk potted his 30th of the season to give the Steelheads a lead nine minutes into the game before Brandon Coe and Luke Moncada replied before the end of the first to give the Troops a 2-1 lead.
Mason Primeau was awarded an assist on the Coe goal, but the afternoon was special for him for more than just the assist. His father, Wayne, was in attendance as a member of the Leafs alumni and Mason was one of the players on hand for the ceremonial puck drop pregame.
“Playing in front of my dad is nothing new,” Primeau said with a huge smile on his face.
“He pretty much coached me all through minor hockey so I’m pretty used to it, but it was pretty special to be able to take that puck drop and to share that moment with him and all the other Leafs alumni.”
See related: NHL hockey dad proud of his Battalion son
The two teams each scored a goal in the second, Lyszczarczyk added his second and Matthew Struthers replied shortly afterwards to keep the lead in North Bay’s hands after the second.
In the third James Hardie split the defence like a young Mario Lemieux on the Minnesota North Stars to force the game to overtime where Lyszczarczyk would score his third over Christian Propp’s shoulder to seal the hat trick and the win for the Trout.
Lost in all the shuffle however was an OHL debut by Matt Hardwick who had been plying his trade for the affiliate club in the NOJHL, Powassan Voodoos.
“It’s crazy. I woke up yesterday morning to a call that told me I would be playing my first OHL game today and it was pretty surreal," Hardwick said after coming down from the ride that was the game moments prior.
“Going back to the Voodoos, this will give me more confidence. I’m going to try and take advantage of it.”
“I thought he did his job.” Dennis added.
“He got a few shots on net, he banged bodies, he was up and down the wing. I thought he did a real good job for us.”
The Troops are back in action tomorrow when they head to Ottawa to take on the 67’s.
