Battalion usher in new era in North Bay

By Aaron Bell

 

It took a few weeks for their fans to finally get a look at the North Bay Battalion on home ice but after an 11-year absence from the OHL, those extra few weeks didn’t seem to make much of a difference.

 

The Battalion welcomed a sold out crowd to their home opener on Friday against the Peterborough Petes and despite an opening-night loss, the renewed North Bay Memorial Gardens and the return of the OHL both earned high marks.

 

More than 4,200 fans showed up for the Battalion debut in their new home that is in the final stages of a $12 million renovation that includes luxury suites, expanded seating and concessions and a beautiful new video board.

 

“There were a lot of familiar faces,” said Sportsnet commentator Nick Kypreos, who played for the North Bay Centennials in the 80’s and was welcomed back to be part of the opening ceremonies on Friday. “It’s been a long time, but the passion hasn’t changed. The people here loved OHL hockey and they’re back.”

 

Battalion owner Scott Abbott has owned the team ever since he was awarded an expansion franchise in 1996. They played 15 seasons in Brampton before relocating to North Bay in the off-season. They filled the void left when the Centennials moved to Saginaw in 2002.

 

Abbott is thrilled with the support that the team has received so far.

 

“It was great,” Abbott told the North Bay Nugget after Friday’s home opener. “The roar for the team, the standing ovations, the great reception for commissioner (David) Branch, which I was happy about. Nick Kypreos got a lot of time on the video board and deserved it.

 

“I was very happy with the reception overall.”

 

The visiting Petes spoiled the party a little by skating away with a 2-1 win. Chase Hatcher scored the opening goal of the game for the Petes after participating in the ceremonial opening face-off. Hatcher’s father Derian and uncle Kevin were both captains of the Centennials in the 80’s.

 

“It felt too good to be true, especially with the puck drop and everything,” Hatcher said after the game. “It definitely felt scripted.  Just knowing about all the Hatchers that played here is kind of, it’s just unreal.”

 

The Battalion followed up on Monday with a Thanksgiving matinee that drew 3,506 fans. They edged the Niagara IceDogs 5-4 to claim their first home-ice win.

 

Kypreos said that the North Bay fans are obviously thrilled to have the OHL back in town and that the team is excited to find its new home.

 

“I would think waking up as a hockey player here would be like waking up Christmas morning compared to what it was like in Brampton,” Kypreos said. “You dream about playing in front of 4,200 fans like these guys are tonight, and that was rarely going to happen in Brampton. Hopefully, they can take advantage of having a team back here.”

 

Kypreos said that the North Bay fans are great hockey fans and knows what type of team they like to cheer for.

 

“They like tough teams that play with their hearts on their sleeve,”  Kypreos said. “The game has changed, and we don’t see what we saw 25 or 30 years ago, with the gloves being dropped or bench-clearing brawls.  They want to see good, honest, hard hockey.

 

“I know the coaches will have the guys carry on the tradition we started here.”