Troops extend selves for victory

BRAMPTON, Ont. – At this rate, the Brampton Battalion may volunteer to work overtime more often.rrThe Battalion has gone past regulation time in 10 of 50 games this season, ultimately winning eight and losing two. The Troops, who are 3-1 in overtime and 5-1 in shootouts, lead the Ontario Hockey League with their eight extended wins.rrThe five extra points earned in shootouts have helped the Battalion into second place in the Central Division and third place in the Eastern Conference, with 60 points from a won-lost-extended record of 29-19-2. rrUnder last year’s rules, by which a game remained tied after a scoreless overtime period, the Troops would have a won-lost-tied record of 24-20-6, including one overtime loss, for 55 points.rrWe’ve had good success in the shootouts, and I think it’s become a part of the game that you better prepare for,” coach Stan Butler said Tuesday. There are a lot of points at stake, so you need to find ways to maximize those.”rrThe Battalion has won its last four games, the last three beyond 60 minutes. The Troops beat the visiting Peterborough Petes 3-2 by shootout Jan. 29, won 2-1 in overtime over the host Ottawa 67’s last Friday night and posted a 4-3 shootout win Sunday over the visiting Sudbury Wolves.rrThe Battalion’s five shootout wins and 10 shootout goals lead the league. Veteran Daren Machesney has been in goal for all the shootouts, allowing five goals on 23 attempts for a .783 save percentage.rrMachesney ranks second in shootout wins behind Kyle Knechtel, now of the Mississauga IceDogs, who has six with three different teams. Machesney said that preparation, including work with goaltending coach Mike Tamburro, has produced shootout success.rrAll the shooters are skilled and they practise too, so you can’t just react. I have some tricks up my sleeve, and Mike has helped us with those.”rrButler said players involved in the shootout must do their homework.rrIt’s a huge part of the game and it’s similar to baseball, where hitters analyse the pitchers and vice versa. A shootout is a one-on-one confrontation, and the more research you do the better your chances for success.”rrRookie goaltender Bryan Pitton has been an interested observer and said he’ll be ready when he first faces a shootout.rrDaren’s done a great job and he doesn’t let you know what he’s doing. Daren always throws something in that the shooter isn’t used to, and that can throw them off.rrI watch how he is before it starts. When he comes to the bench he’s so relaxed, and that’s something I’ll try to do. I might try some of the tricks he uses in practice.”rrWojtek Wolski leads the OHL with five shootout goals in as many attempts, including one shootout-winning goal. rrI’ve just been trying to score every chance I get,” said Wolski. That’s what I’m here for. Every point is helping us move up, and it’s so close that anytime you can get a step up on another team it’s important.”rrSix other current Battalion players have taken part in a shootout. Howie Martin has two goals in three attempts, and Aaron Snow and Luke Lynes have each scored once, in three and six attempts respectively. Michal Klejna, Jason Cassidy and Luch Aquino have missed in one attempt each.rrJ.F. Houle, traded to the Kingston Frontenacs on Jan. 4, had one goal in three attempts for the Battalion.rrThe Troops’ 10 goals on 23 shots give them a scoring rate of .435, second in the league behind the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, who have a .450 mark from nine goals on 20 shots.rrButler said his decision on which players shoot depends on a number of factors.rrYou know Wojtek’s always going to shoot, but after that I look at who’s hot in that particular game. You need to be flexible and look at what kind of goalie you’re going up against and if you need to have shooters rather than guys who deke.rrAs a coach you have to know some guys will handle the pressure better than others. Just because a guy’s a good goal-scorer doesn’t mean he’ll be great on a breakaway.”r