GAME PREVIEW; Feb. 26/17 – NB @ SSM
The month of February has seen the Greyhounds on home ice for an unprecedented home stand.
TODAY (2:07 PM), the eight game stretch comes to a close against the North Bay Battalion.
(CLICK HERE for a printable line-up sheet)
The Greyhounds skate into action with wins in 3 of their last 4 games while compiling a record of 5-2-0-0 during the home stand so far.
Yesterday was a a practice day for the Hounds, as they were not in OHL action.
For North Bay, today is their third game in less than three days. The Troops began the weekend with a loss at Flint on Friday (3-6) before moving north into Saginaw last evening where they were victorious (3-2).
North Bay Battalion (22-32-3-1, 48 points)
@ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (40-15-2-1, 81 points)
Game is proudly presented
YOU WOULD WIN AN ATV, SEA DOO OR SKI DOO
The first 2,500 fans into the Essar Centre today will receive a puck to take part in the BRP / Northshore Sports & Auto promotion during the first intermission.
One lucky fan, who throws the puck closest to the centre ice dot, will win their choice of an atv, sea doo or ski doo from today’s game day sponsor.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
For the second time this month, the Greyhounds and Battalion reacquaint themselves in their Northern Ontario rivalry.
Through the opening three games of the season series it has been the road team skating to victory each and every time.
Here’s how the previous three meetings have ended up;
W 7-4, Feb. 5 @ NB
Game was tied 1-1 after the first, before Hounds trailed 3-2 through forty minutes; After North Bay extended the lead to 4-1 just 3:17 into the third period the Hounds rallied for five unanswered goals including three in a span of 1:08 to take the win; Hounds goals were scored by Verbeek, Senyshyn (2), Bouramman, Katchouk, Kopacka and MacIntyre
(Boxscore)
W 6-1, Nov. 24 @NB
After holding leads through both the first (1-0) and second (3-0) periods, the Hounds oustcored North Bay 3-1 in the final period in victory; Hounds held North Bay to just 20 shots; Boris Katchouk led the offensive charge with 2 goals and 1 assist
(Boxscore)
L 2-4, Oct. 8 @ SSM
Teams skated through a scoreless first period before Barrett Hayton (2) scored the lone goal of the second period; North Bay would score 4 in the third period, including a pair by Brett McKenzie to defeat the Hounds 4-2; Hounds were 0-for-7 on PP
(Boxscore)
OFFENSIVE DEFENCEMAN
A pair of Greyhounds factored into the scoring back on Friday Night.
Defenceman Noah Carroll scored his 5th goal of the season, 3rd as a member of the Greyhounds while Mac Hollowell recorded his 2nd of the season.
For Hollowell it was his first since November 12 vs Erie.
Meanwhile speaking of numbers, rearguard Conor Timmins has a team-leading +41.
BACK IN THE PLAYOFF PICTURE
It was a key victory last night for North Bay in Saginaw.
Not only did the win snap a two-game losing streak for the Battalion it also allowed them to take advantage of their game-in-hand over the idle Niagara IceDogs.
And while both teams now have 48 points on year in 58 games played, North Bay is seeded in the eight and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference by virtue of having more wins than Niagara.
Those two teams will meet each other one more time before the regular season is over.
DID YOU KNOW? (courtesy of battalionhockey.com)
The Battalion, playing the middle game of a three-game weekend road trip, secured the 600th win in franchise history against the former North Bay Centennials franchise, which left the Gateway of the North in 2002. The Troops relocated from Brampton in 2013
WHERE’S THE RELIEF?
The North Bay Battalion have been riddled with injuries for most part of the 2016-17 season.
The situation has seen them go from the top of the Central Division to fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Today the visitors will see a number of players sidelined with injuries along with suspensions resulting in a number of AP (affiliate players) used for the club.
TOP 3 IN SCORING
GREYHOUNDS
• Bobby MacIntyre (23-45-68); 20 PP Pts; 6 GWG
• Zach Senyshyn (36-18-54); 220 SOG; 8 GWG
• Conor Timmins (6-46-52); +41
BATTALION
• Brett McKenzie (27-34-61); 258 SOG; 4 GWG
• Steve Harland (24-32-56); 6 GWG, 20 PP Pts
• Justin Brazeau (20-12-32); 2 GWG
OHL BOXSCORE
For all the stats throughout the game check out the OHL boxscore HERE.
TICKETS
Great seats are available by visiting the Essar Centre Box Office (starting at 10 AM), online at www.essarcentre.ca or by phone at 1.866.775.9422
RADIO/TV
The Rock 101 pre-game show with Gerry Liscumb Jr. begins starting at 1:37 PM. You can hear the action by tuning your FM dial to 101.3 or listen online HERE.
ShawTV will air the game starting at 2 PM.
MUIO’S PREDICTOR CHALLENGE
Don’t forget to take part in tonight’s “Muio’s Predictor Challenge”.
Tweet us who you predict to score the Hounds first goal for a chance to win a $10 Muio’s Restaurant gift card. #muios
Photo by James Egan Photography
