Spitfires Fall to North Bay 5-3
The Spitfires and North Bay had a back and forth battle but the Battalion scored a late go-ahead goal and added an empty netter to take the game 5-3.
In the first period, the pace was quick and both teams were ready from the get-go. The Spitfires broke the ice first. A beautiful passing play from Maillet to Greentree to Christopoulos ended in the back of the net. It was Christopoulos’s first back in North Bay since the trade in 2021 and 27th on the season. Less than a minute later, North Bay tied it at 1 on a goal hat drew a lot of attention. It appeared to be offside but it was confirmed that it was not by video review. And secondly, the puck was covered by Costanzo before it was stripped from underneath him and put into the net. Five minutes later, the Spits restored the lead. Maggio dropped the puck at the blueline to Jodoin who shot it on the net and the rebound kicked out to Colton Smith who scored his 15th goal of the season. The Spitfires had a 13-11 shot advantage after the first period.
In the second period, the Battalion would score two goals from Bloom and McDonald to take a 3-2 lead. North Bay lead in shots 27-21 through 2 periods.
In the third period, the Spitfires responded just over 5 minutes into the period. It was the rookie Greentree scoring his 18th on the season to tie the game 3. Late in the period, the former Spitfire, Kyle McDonald, would score on a wrap around to make it 4-3 Battalion with 57 seconds. The Battalion would add an empty netter and take the 5-3 win.
The Spitfires are back in action on Friday January 27th vs the Sudbury Wolves. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm.
