67’s can’t hold off Battalion assault
The North Bay Battalion evened the season series at a game apiece, after using a two-for-two night on the power play to propel themselves to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa 67’s on Thursday night.
The Troops kept the bulk of the play early in the first period at the Ottawa end of the rink, but it was the Barber Poles striking first. Luca Pinelli knocked home a pass from Cooper Foster at the doorstep, giving Ottawa a 1-0 lead.
It wouldn’t last, however, and it was once again the penalty kill that caused the 67’s problems. Ethan Procyszyn tied the game, before Owen Van Steensel put the Troops in the lead, both of which came on the man advantage.
The second period added nothing to the scoresheet, not even in the penalty department, setting up an all-or-nothing final frame.
As if special teams didn’t have their fingerprints all over this game enough already, the 67’s power play decided to get in on the fun just over two minutes into the third. For the fifth time this season, Filip Ekberg lit the lamp, extending his point streak to four games, but more importantly, drawing the game level once again.
Four minutes later, North Bay reclaimed their advantage, with Shamar Moses tipping home a point shot from Wyatt Kennedy, a goal the Battalion would use to hang onto a 3-2 victory.
Box score
| Teams | Score | Shots on goal | Power plays |
| Ottawa | 2 | 35 | 1/3 |
| North Bay | 3 | 29 | 2/2 |
First period
1-0: OTT #20 Luca Pinelli (7) scores. Assists: #29 Cooper Foster
1-1: NB #21 Ethan Procyszyn (9) scores. Assists: #6 Jacob Therrien, #24 Shamar Moses POWER PLAY
2-1: NB #16 Owen Van Steensel (3) scores. Assists: #6 Jacob Therrien, #1 Charlie Larocque POWER PLAY
Second period
No scoring
Third period
2-2: OTT #34 Filip Ekberg (5) scores. Assists: #11 Henry Mews, #19 Kohyn Eshkawkogan POWER PLAY
3-2: NB #24 Shamar Moses (3) scores. Assists: #2 Wyatt Kennedy, #21 Ethan Procyszyn
Next up
The Barber Poles make their lone trip to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday evening, taking on Charlie Hilton and the Soo Greyhounds.
