Series HQ: North Bay vs. Kingston
(2) North Bay Battalion (39-20-7-2) vs. (7) Kingston Frontenacs (33-31-4-0)
North Bay Series Preview | Kingston Series Preview
The North Bay Battalion are hoping the third time’s a charm.
Thwarted in the Eastern Conference Championship Series two years in a row, one of the league’s most consistently competitive franchises looks to accomplish its ultimate goal this spring with a battle-hardened group ready to embrace the challenge.
The Troops feature two of the league’s top three scorers. Anthony Romani, who no doubt has the attention of NHL clubs after leading the OHL wtih 58 goals, is joined by centreman Dalyn Wakely, who also crossed the 100-point threshold, giving the Battalion two 100-point scorers in the same lineup for the first time in franchise history. Rounding out the trio, Owen Van Steensel serves as one of the league’s top penalty killers and has shown offensive giftedness as well, finishing the season with 86 points (41-45–86).
North Bay has options beyond their lethal top line as well, one being Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis. The Latvian winger turned out to be one of the biggest additions at the OHL trade deadline, joining the Troops to score 28 goals in his 30 games in green.
It’s time for another run.
Series Preview: https://t.co/wNN7ybRdpv pic.twitter.com/kb0qhljj9z
— North Bay Battalion (@OHLBattalion) March 27, 2024
The Battalion are backstopped by last year’s OHL Goaltender of the Year in Domenic DiVincentiis, who after a tough first half, emerged as one of the League’s top netminders in the latter, going 13-1-0-1 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .914 save percentage since February 1st.
Across the ice, the Kingston Frontenacs have forged a new identity under head coach Troy Mann, who took over at the helm in late October. The addition of veterans in key roles makes Kingston an intriguing first round matchup against North Bay.
Overage centreman Jax Dubois provides Kingston with arguably the league’s top face-off man down the middle. Hulking Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Roman Schmidt has stepped into a prominent place on the back end, wrapping up Kingston’s regular season with an overtime winner to give the Fronts their third consecutive victory in extra time.
Led by Chicago Blackhawks prospect Paul Ludwinski up front, the Frontenacs have the depth offensively to make this an interesting series. Draft eligible winger Jacob Battaglia burst onto the scene with a club-leading 31 goals this season while wingers Matthew Soto (25-31–55) and Christopher Thibodeau (21-39–60) have the speed to keep the Battalion blue line on its toes.
Mason Vaccari will need to be good in goal if this series is going to go Kingston’s way.
The puck drops on Game 1 on Thursday night at the North Bay Memorial Gardens.
"We just need to take it one step at a time, game in and game out." – Nathan Poole#DefendTheFort | @OHLHockey pic.twitter.com/xs7370UYZm
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) March 27, 2024
Series Schedule:
Game 1: Thurs., March 28 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm
Game 2: Sat., March 30 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm
Game 3: Mon., April 1 – North Bay at Kingston, 7:00pm
Game 4: Wed., April 3 – North Bay at Kingston, 7:00pm
Game 5: Fri., April 5 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm*
Game 6: Sun., April 7 – North Bay at Kingston, 2:00pm*
Game 7: Tues., April 9 – Kingston at North Bay, 7:00pm*
Home Game Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/kingston-frontenacs-tickets/artist/829722
Season Series:
Series tied 2-2
Dec. 1 – NB 8 at KGN 6
Dec. 7 – KGN 4 at NB 3
Feb. 11 – KGN 0 at NB 9
Mar. 17 – NB 3 at KGN 4 (OT)
Playoff History:
This marks the fifth time that the Battalion and Frontenacs have met in the OHL Playoffs
– 2022 NB def. KGN 4-1 – 2nd Round / 2018 KGN def. NB 4-1 – 1st Round / 2015 NB def. KGN 4-0 – 1st Round / 2010 BRAM def. KGN 4-3 – 1st Round