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Battalion edged by struggling Otters

Brandon Coe lone goal score in Battalion home setback

The North Bay Battalion got surprised by one of the league’s worst road teams as the Erie Otters, who came in on a five-game losing skid, pulled off a tight 2-1 win over the Battalion at Memorial Gardens ice on Thursday night.  

The loss is only the second setback in the last 11 for the Troops, while the Otters get only their third road victory of the season.  

Anand Oberoi was solid in goal for the visiting Otters as he turned away 31 shots for the road win.  

Battalion head coach Stan Butler was disappointed with a lack of urgency against a struggling team like Erie.  

"I think our work ethic tonight was non-existent," he told the media post game. 

"Give Erie a lot of credit, they outworked us for 60 minutes, they were first to the puck, they forechecked hard and they did what they had to do and we did not respond.  

"It’s pretty disappointing how well we played lately that our guys would put forth an effort like that tonight. I do not think you have to be a hockey purist to see how bad some of our guys played." 

Brandon Coe used a quick release to spin and fire a shot low short side by Otters goalie Anand Oberoi a 1-0 less than 5 minutes into the contest.  

Otters responded on a long shot by Emmet Sproule as he ripped a shot high over the shoulder of Sime from 40 feet out which made it 1-1 just over a minute after Coe got the Troops on the board. 

It stayed that way until midway through the second period as Otters forward Maxim Golod took a feed in the slot and his quick release ripped over the shoulder of Julian Sime which made it 2-1 Otters.  

With the net empty late in the third period, Justin Brazeau’s took a one-timer from down low that hit the side of the net.   

The Battalion is back on the ice Friday night when they travel to Mississauga to face the Steelheads. 


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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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