Battalion fends off Frontenacs
I went with the upset in calling for the sixth-seeded Kingston Frontenacs to upend the third-place North Bay Battalion in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League’s Eastern Conference playoffs.
Given their 8-2 record over the final 10 games of the regular season — a mark that coincided with the return of star centre Sam Bennett from a season-long injury — I figured that the Frontenacs just might be poised to take the best-of-seven series from the favoured Battalion.
Other than an 8-0 blowout loss in the series opener, Kingston did make it close against North Bay — just not nearly close enough.
The Battalion rode the seven-point, series efforts of top scorers Mike Amadio and Nick Paul and the .966 save percentage goaltending of Jake Smith en route to a sweep of the Frontenacs.
Smith faced 119 shots in the four games and allowed only four for a 1.00 goals against average.
After winning the opener 8-0, the North Bay did just enough to get past Kingston with 3-2, 3-1 (with an empty-net goal) and 3-1 victories to send the Frontenacs packing.
The Battalion was able to hold Bennett at bay, limiting the first-round, National Hockey League draft pick of the Calgary Flames to three assists and a -4 plus-minus rating in the four games.
PHOTO: North Bay and Kingston players, in the traditional, end-of-series handshake. (Photo by Kingston Whig-Standard.)
and our Playoff losing streak that dates back to 1998 continus.
We had this rite from the start . It was a good call by RR for to call for the “upset” and the way I saw it the Series was much closer than 4 Zip. Kingston could not handle the speed and agressive 4-check of the Troops and as for Bennett he looked like he couldnt wait to get back up to Calgary.
Smith and Miller made a big diffarence for the Battalion and I agree with NBT-1975 about the forcheck. Bennett was not a factor agree a 100 percent.
Solid defense wins out in the playoffs! NB plays this system well and rides the offense they generate with their sting defense system! Solid goaltending makes it an efficient system and a solid title threat!
Hail to the Troops!! Good Article Randy.