I just wanted to stop in here and give my congratulations to the Battalion and all their new fans on an amazingly successful first season in North Bay and a fantastic finals series.
Back in 2009 when Windsor beat Brampton in game 1 of the finals 10-1 many laughed at Brampton and called the west final vs London the real final etc. But I feel after that Brampton gave Windsor all they can handle despite it going just 5 games.
This final was much of the same except North Bay gave Guelph a MUCH better run than Brampton gave to Windsor in 2009.
You take away Game 4 and what was the earliest a game winner was scored during this series? 19:34 of the 3rd period. Thats amazing.
Before the series many thought this would be a walk for Guelph. I like to think I was giving the Battalion a bit more respect than most but I would also be lying if I said I didnt think Guelph could easily win the series.
As somebody who watched Brampton for years it was bittersweet seeing Goodrow and MacLeod's 5 year careers end that way, but at the same time I'm glad they had such a great run.
I remember thinking last year in the few starts Jake Smith got as a backup behind Matej Machovsky that he was going to be a solid OHL goalie but wow was he ever amazing for North Bay this year, easily the best goalie actually drafted by the Battalion since Patrick Killeen and you can maybe go back as far as Bryan Pitton. His size makes him remind me of Darren Machesney.
I also wanted to speak highly of my trip to North Bay this week.
All the fans treated us fantastic, we were sitting up in section 9 for both games and didnt get any problems from anybody (though I did hear some Storm fans got into it on the other side of the rink in section 2). I got stopped by A LOT of people who asked me "Are you 888?" which gave me a chuckle. Everybody was great whether it was the very intense close game 3 or the blowout that was game 4.
May I suggest to all Battalion fans next season or even over the summer give some of your business to Arugula on Fisher about a block from the rink. Their pizza was amazing, service was good and it was a really nice place.
Also I've been to 23 different OHL rinks in my travels and game 3 on Tuesday had to have been the loudest I've ever heard a building.
Only one I can think of coming close was Game 5 of the 2009 finals at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, I know people say it alot but I swear I felt the building shake that night when Windsor scored their goals.
Here's hoping you guys get an OHL title soon.
Its good to know that losing my old team was not in vain, it has a VERY good home, enjoy them and never take them for granted.