Battalion claim Central Division crown for third straight year
It came down to a Friday night clash in Mississauga, with the Battalion and Steelheads both getting a shot at the Central Division crown, and the Troops were up to the task.
Anthony Romani scored his 54th, 55th and 56th goals of the season while Dalyn Wakely eclipsed the 100-point mark in a 5-4 road win over Mississauga, cementing the 38-20-7-2 Battalion as Central Division champions for a third straight season.
Troops back on top of the Central Division for a third straight year! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/WVI7x6vhBx
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 23, 2024
This marks the fourth time the North Bay Battalion has earned the Emms Trophy, named in honour of the late Hap Emms, a former goaltender and founder of the OHA’s Barrie Flyers franchise. The award was first presented to the Hamilton Fincups in 1976. The Troops have won prior titles in 2023, 2022 and 2014 along with other triumphs from their Brampton era in 2009, 2008, 2006 and 2003. The North Bay Centennials have their name on the trophy in back-to-back years in 1986 and 1987.
North Bay boasts two of the top three point producers in the OHL this season with undrafted veterans Romani (55-53–108) and Wakely (37-63–100) giving the Troops their first pair of 100-point producers on one team in franchise history. Holding multiple offensive production records from the back end in Battalion history, Ty Nelson continues to be a steady presence on the Battalion blueline with 51 points (16-36–51) over 53 games this season. Reigning OHL Goaltender of the Year Dom DiVincentiis is enjoying a strong second half, going 12-1-0-1 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .918 save percentage since Feb. 1st.
North Bay has reached the Eastern Conference Championship Series in each of the last two OHL Playoffs. They continue their pursuit of an OHL Championship as their regular season wraps up on Sunday afternoon at home to the Peterborough Petes.
THREE-PEAT
The Troops are OHL Central Division Champions for the third season in-a-row! pic.twitter.com/JBVvlij26B
— North Bay Battalion (@OHLBattalion) March 23, 2024
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