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Troops lead early but ultimately fall in OT to Colts

'It’s game one and obviously a tough result for us here tonight'

The North Bay Battalion find themselves trailing in a playoff series for the first time since last season’s Eastern Conference Finals as they dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Barrie Colts.

The Colts lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.

“It’s game one and obviously a tough result for us here tonight,” explained head coach Ryan Oulahen. “I think when you look at how we’re playing and the things we want to accomplish, there’s a lot of really good happening here tonight.

“Especially in that first period, I thought we came out extremely good. There were times in the second where if we get that extra one, it’s a different game and we have to find a way to capitalize on our chances around the net.

“All in all this is the type of series it’s going to be, and we’ll regroup and be ready for Sunday.”

After picking up the first goal for North Bay in the first round against Mississauga, Ty Nelson (3) got the first for the Troops against Barrie with a snipe past Anson Thornton on the powerplay.

In the second period, Owen Van Steenel converted on a slick passing play from Liam Arnsby and Paul Christopoulos to put North Bay up 2-0. However, Barrie managed to get one back halfway through the period as Zach Wigle (1) managed to beat Dom DiVincentiis.

In the third the Colts pressed and who else but Brandt Clarke (6) to tie things up as he blew a kiss to the fans of the Battalion. Shortly afterwards on the powerplay Jacob Frasca looked to put the Colts up, but a review judged there to be an offside before on the play, no goal. Regulation ended tied 2-2.

Overtime didn’t last long as Josh Kavanagh (1) potted the winner 1:49 in as the visitors carried the play from the drop of the puck in the extra session. 

“It happened so quickly,” remarked Oulahen. “They got one chance and they scored on it, no big deal. The big message was there was a lot of stuff we did tonight that we need to continue to do the rest of the series.

“We feel like we have the depth, the pace, the stamina to continue that and if we do that, the results will start to go our way.”

Game two goes Sunday at 2:00pm from Memorial Gardens. You can catch the game live on the Frontline YouTube channel.