SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Close But No Cigar
MISSISSAUGA, ON – Despite a strong effort, The Mississauga Steelheads fell 5-4 to the North Bay Battalion in their final regular season game in Mississauga on Friday night.
The Steelheads (38-22-8-0) drop the battle for first place in the Central division. Angus MacDonell, Finn Harding, Luke Misa, and Porter Martone scored for the Trout, and Jack Ivankovic made 25 saves.
Anthony Romani’s hat trick powered the Battalion (38-20-7-2) past Mississauga. Liam Arnsby and Dalyn Wakely also scored, and Dom DiVincentiis made 37 saves in a strong showing.
The Battalion sprung a two on one opportunity midway through the first period, and Romani made no mistake on the chance, beating Ivankovic to open the scoring.
A turnover at the defensive blue line led to a shorthanded two on one opportunity for the Trout at 12:47 of the first and Lucas Karmiris ripped a shot that snuck through DiVincentiis and into the crease, and MacDonell was there to tap it home.
Romani took advantage of a defensive zone turnover to bury his second of the game soon after the tying goal, taking the lead back for North Bay.
North Bay doubled their lead after a slick passing play got Arnsby alone in front, and he finished from his backhand to put the Battalion up by two.
A power play setup from Porter Martone found the stick of Harding at the point, who stepped in and fired the puck past DiVencentiis and in to bring the Steelheads within one halfway through the third.
Romani buried a power play slot shot soon after to restore North Bay’s two goal lead.
Just one minute later, a point shot from Stevie Leskovar found Misa’s stick in front and deflected in to make it 4-3. The gorgeous deflection was Misa’s 150th career point.
Wakely’s empty netter made it a two goal lead once again with two minutes remaining.
Martone’s late goal with the net empty made things interesting, but the Steelheads could not get another with just 38 seconds remaining.
Total Shots – NB 29 / MISS 41
Three Stars:
- Anthony Romani (3G)
- Chas Sharpe (1A)
- Marc Boudreau
The Steelheads will begin their quest for the Memorial Cup next week, with their opponent yet to be decided. Get your tickets here!