Thursday Highlights: Great at the Gardens

Thursday January 8, 2016

The North Bay Battalion continued their run of dominance on home ice Thursday night, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to defeat the CHL’s top ranked Erie Otters 3-2 on a winner from big centreman Brett McKenzie.

The Battalion had a 31-save performance from first star Jake Smith, extending their winning streak on home ice to nine straight games dating back to November 26th.

The seventh man continues to provide the Troops with momentum as they’ve taken victories in eight of their last 10 contests. Thursday’s win came in one of four games around the league.

NORTH BAY 3 ERIE 2 – The North Bay Battalion continued to roll on home ice, defeating the CHL’s top ranked Erie Otters in a 3-2 come from behind win. The Otters took a 2-0 lead on goals by Alex DeBrincat and Jake Marchment, but an unfortunate injury to goaltender Devin Williams turned the tide of the game as Kyle Potts, Mike Amadio and Brett McKenzie struck back for the Battalion while goaltender Jake Smith made 31 saves. The Battalion have won eight of their last 10 contests and sit four points back of first place Barrie in the Central Division.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

OSHAWA 4 PETERBOROUGH 3 SO – Newly acquired rookie Robbie Burt notched the shootout winner as the Oshawa Generals edged rival Peterborough 4-3. Burt scored his first as a General with six seconds left in the second period to give Oshawa a 2-1 lead. Matthew Timms and Greg Betzold would score in the third to give the Petes a 3-2 edge before Riley Stillman knotted things at three on the powerplay with his third of the season. Oshawa defenceman Jalen Smereck had a pair of assists while goaltender Jeremy Brodeur was steady, turning aside 32 of 35 on the night. Betzold and Steven Lorentz each had a goal and an assist for the Petes who lost their third straight.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

BARRIE 7 MISSISSAUGA 4 – Kevin Labanc continued his torrid pace, following up last weekend’s seven point effort with an additional six to his credit as the San Jose Sharks draftee scored three goals and added three assists in a 7-4 win over Mississauga. The Colts twice saw two-goal leads slip away before finally reeling in the Steelheads with three goals in the third. Andrew Mangiapane had a goal and two assists while veteran Justin Scott scored twice, helping Barrie pull three points ahead of Mississauga atop the Central Division. Mississauga’s Michael McLeod had a goal and an assist while Barrie goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 30 saves in his return from the World Juniors. The Colts have scored at least five goals in four of their last five games.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

WINDSOR 5 OWEN SOUND 0 – Rookie goaltender Michael DiPietro recorded a fifth straight win while making 30 saves to record his second shutout of the season as Windsor rolled past Owen Sound 5-0. Winnipeg Jets prospect Brendan Lemieux stayed hot, extending his current point streak to 17 games with a pair of goals to earn second star recognition as the Spits won their fourth straight game and eighth in their last 10. Cristiano DiGiacinto, Logan Stanley and Mikhail Sergachev also scored for Windsor as the Spitfires extended their West Division lead to 10 points over second place Sarnia.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS