Camp numbers reduced
NORTH BAY, Ont. — The first cuts from the North Bay Battalion’s training camp came Wednesday, trimming the number of attendees contending for spots to 33.
Two goaltenders and 11 skaters were released after the first of two intrasquad games scheduled for the third day of the Ontario Hockey League club’s four-day camp at Memorial Gardens.
Goaltenders Kolton Bourret and Charlie Robertson, both 16, left the camp, as did seven forwards and four defencemen, including seven 2005-born prospects chosen in the OHL Priority Selection in June.
Among those released was forward Kyan Haldenby, who fell ill after the first scrimmage Tuesday. He was an eighth-round pick in the 2020 Priority Selection from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens minor midgets.
The third of a total of five intrasquad games saw Team Green, coached by assistant Bill Houlder, edge Scott Wray’s Team White 2-1 as Dom DiVincentiis of Green and Joe Vrbetic of White staged a goaltending duel over three 20-minute periods.
Sitting out the game after taking part in a practice session were forwards Brandon Coe, Mitchell Russell and Josh Currie and defenceman Tnias Mathurin. They shared the ice with former Battalion right winger Justin Brazeau, who’s skating with the club before heading back to the professional ranks. He played last season with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.
In the nightcap, played in three 15-minute periods, Nic Sima and Kyle Jackson scored two goals apiece to lead Green to a 6-3 victory. Reece Proulx was the winning goaltender, while White’s Owen Wray gave up five goals before Dawson Hettiarachchi collected an empty-netter.
Forward David Campbell of Green suffered a shoulder separation in the game.
It was a third win for Green, which prevailed 5-3 in the opener Tuesday before White responded later in the day with a 5-2 decision.
The last intrasquad meeting is scheduled at 9 a.m. Thursday before the camp ends. Admission is free, with doors opening one hour before puck drop.
SECOND GAME RECAP
White led 1-0 after the first period, but Green, sparked by Sima, erupted for five straight second-period goals for a 5-2 lead at the second intermission.
Lineups
Green: Reece Proulx, Dom DiVincentiis, Paul Christopoulos, Tnias Mathurin, Cam Gauvreau, Alex Little, Ty Nelson, Dawson Hettiarachchi, David Campbell, Dalyn Wakely, Owen Van Steensel, Brett Richardson, Alex Christopoulos, Kyle Jackson, Nic Sima.
White: Joe Vrbetic, Owen Wray, James Mayotte, Erik MacNiel, Ty Hollett, Simon Rose, Devon Savignac, Chase MacQueen-Spence, Anthony Romani, Christian Stevens, Owen Outwater, Kevin Henstock, Brandon Coe, Michael Podolioukh.
Green goals: Sima 2, Jackson 2, Van Steensel, Hettiarachchi.
White goals: Coe, MacNiel, Mayotte.
FIRST GAME RECAP
Dalyn Wakely scored both goals for Green, which led 1-0 after each of the first two periods.
Lineups
Green: Kolton Bourret, Dom DiVincentiis, James Mayotte, Alex Stephen, Paul Christopoulos, Wyatt Kennedy, Cam Gauvreau, Carson Ricci, Ethan Girard, Brett Bouchard, Dalyn Wakely, Kaedyn Long, Owen Van Steensel, Brett Richardson, Zach Losier, Luc Malkhassian, Dawson Hettiarachchi, Kyle Jackson, Nic Sima.
White: Joe Vrbetic, Charlie Robertson, Erik MacNiel, Ty Hollett, Simon Rose, Jake Fullerton, Alex Little, Ty Nelson, David Campbell, Chase MacQueen-Spence, Anthony Romani, Devon Savignac, Christian Stevens, Owen Outwater, Kevin Henstock, Chase Thompson, Michael Podolioukh, Alex Christopoulos, Sett Ursomarzo.
Green goals: Wakely 2.
White goal: Fullerton.
