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It's do or die for the Battalion tonight

“You know we got guys where it's not their first playoffs that are playing on our second and third lines and are quite frankly not getting the job done.”
2015-12-06 North Bay vs Hounds DMH-4
Brett McKenzie is one of the experienced Battalion forwards who will need to step up if the Troops want to have a chance at a comeback against the Colts. File photo Donna Hopper/Village Media.

In a season that has been full of highs and lows, and unpredictability, perhaps the 2015-16 Battalion squad should be the last team to count out being down three games to none to the Barrie Colts in the Eastern Conference Semi-final.  

“This group has been unpredictable from the first day of training camp,” admitted Battalion Head Coach Stan Butler.  

“It continues to be unpredictable and I don't think that will change. I talked to some of our older guys today and they want to keep playing hockey. I think that is your biggest challenge when you're down three games, you got to have a group of guys who really want to play hockey because you know it's pretty easy for guys to shut it down when they know it's an uphill battle.”

It’s been a frustrating series for the Battalion and its fans.  After falling 5-2 in game one the Troops looked poised to even the series in game two.  However, a questionable second period no goal call and a late third period Colts comeback helped turn the tide in the Colts favour.     

In game three at home the Troops fell behind 2-0 early and could not recover.  Now, they hope to be the first team since the 2014 Petes to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.   

To do that, Butler realizes the Troops will need more from the second and third lines.  

“You know we got guys where it's not their first playoffs that are playing on our second and third lines and are quite frankly not getting the job done,” Butler said pointing fingers at players such as former first round picks Brett McKenzie and Zach Poirier.  

“And you know, it's kind of concerning, they are the guys that the torches can be passed to. You know, if you can't get it done as secondary guy, boy does it get a lot harder when you are a go-to guy.”

Steve Harland is the lone forward outside of Santos and Amadio to score in the first three games of the series.   

“We can't really have the same two guys scoring all the time, you know. Basically we just have to step up and go harder,” noted Harland who has three goals and two assists in 10 playoff games.  

“It will be tough winning four in a row it's never easy against any team really.  But I mean, I think it's possible. We just have to keep going hard, I mean just play harder than them basically.”  

Despite the challenge, Butler knows his team will need to do a better job slowing down the speedy Colts transition game that burned the Troops in game three.   

Butler says that starts with good puck management.  

“Hockey is a game of turnovers and you're going to have some turnovers,” said Butler.  

“You are going have some turnovers and you really got to manage the puck well, and especially when it's their top line. Part of that sometimes is tough because they will track hard with one guy and there two other guys aren't coming back as hard as you would at as some other teams would and as a result if you do turn the puck over if they can move that puck up the ice they are way ahead of you and there is not much you can do.”

With the season on the brink, the Troops are also hoping the “7th Man” is there for them in game four.  

“I'm confident in our ‘7th Man’ that they are going to find a way to come out and cheer the boys on and you know all it's got to take when you're back is against the wall is just got to find a way to win one game and you know momentum is a funny thing it can change in a hurry.” 

Puck drop in game four is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.  


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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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