Perfect week moves Troops into third Western Conference playoff spot

BRAMPTON, Ont. – Last Monday the Battalion was in a three way tie for the third Western Conference playoff spot, but after winning three one goal decisions last week, the Troops have managed to capture sole possession of third place in the conference. Brampton is three points ahead of the the Windsor Spitfires, but Windsor has a game in hand.
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The Battalion began the week with an uninspiring 3-2 win over the Mississauga IceDogs on Thursday night. Saturday night the Troops traveled to Owen Sound and handed the Attack only their fifth loss on home ice when they rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-4. Brampton skated to a 4-3 win over the Guelph Storm at the Bunker on Sunday afternoon.
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"This is what we need right now," said Raffi Torres. "We need to be going into the playoffs with some confidence and a little jump. Anything can happen in the playoffs but if you are winning going in you feel a lot better.
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"We´re starting to come together as a team," continued Torres. "I know it´s a little late to say that but it´s true. Things have been up and down but now we are starting to gel."
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Last week, the Troops got some important goals from players like Ryan Bowness and Adam Henrich and Torres, who is the team´s leading scorer with 69 points in 53 games, didn´t mind handing over the offensive reins for a while. "It´s great to see that and it´s great to see a guy like Bowness getting the job done," he said.
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Here is a look at what´s ahead for the Battalion, the Windsor Spitfires, the Guelph Storm and the Owen Sound Attack in the coming week:
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BRAMPTON: The Troops wrap up their season with a pair of games next weekend. Saturday night Brampton travels to Sarnia to take on the Sting before concluding their regular season at the Bunker next Sunday with a game against the Kitchener Rangers.
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"Those are two big games for us," said Captain Jason Maleyko. "If we win those two I think we are guaranteed third place depending on how the other teams do. If we can win those games that will give us six straight wins going into the playoffs and that´s not too bad."
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WINDSOR: The Spits went 1-1-1 last week, with a win against Sault Ste. Marie, a loss to Erie and a draw with the Plymouth Whalers. Windsor will host the London Knights on Thursday night before journeying to Plymouth for a return match with the Whalers on Sunday.
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GUELPH: In addition to their 4-3 loss in Brampton on Sunday, the Storm were also upended 4-1 by the Owen Sound Attack last Friday. Guelph is 1-8-1 in their last 10 outings and the Storm heads into the week three points behind Windsor and only two points in front of Owen Sound. Guelph will travel to Kitchener for a game with the Rangers on Friday night before heading to Owen Sound for a crucial weekend doubleheader with the Attack.
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OWEN SOUND: The Attack was 2-1 last week with wins over Guelph and Barrie and a loss to the Battalion. In addition to their two home games against Guelph, Owen Sound will also welcome the Plymouth Whalers to the Bayshore Centre on Wednesday night.
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