Battalion blanked by IceDogs

The North Bay Battalion were in action for a rare Tuesday game as they took on the Niagara IceDogs in game three of their playoff series with the two teams each registering a win apiece in the first two games.

The IceDogs found the back of the net early, and found it often, winning 6-0 and taking the 2-1 series lead.

“I didn’t think we were up to the task to start the game,” Adam Dennis said to Country 600 CKAT’s Blake McChristie about his team's efforts post game.

“We fell behind and we chased the game after that.”

Andrew Bruder scored the first goal, and game-winner 3:38 into the first with a snipe from the point over Christian Propp’s blocker arm. Before the end of the first, Philip Tomasino scored his first of two on the night to take the 2-0 lead into the dressing room.

By the end of the game, Ivan Lodnia, Jack Studnika, and Oliver Castleman joined them on the score sheet as Stephen Dhillion turned away all 20 shots fired his way for his second shut out in the series.

Opposite Dhillion was Propp, who besides allowing the six goals, stood on his head for the Troops once again.

“He’s done his job. He’s given us a chance and that’s all you can ask from your goalie,” a rather frank Dennis said about Propp after the net-minder turned away 45 out of 51 shots.

As an overview of the series, Propp has had 148 shots against, making 138 saves. Yes, 10 goals given up in three games seems high, but with those amount of shots against...the numbers prove Propp has been on his game these playoffs.

As for the team as a whole, there is some work to be done before Thursday’s match.

“We’re a resilient group and we don’t expect any easy outs, and we will work our butts off and see what happens,” Dennis added.

Game four goes Thursday from the Gardens.