The North Bay Battalion will be doubling the workload this weekend with a pair of games.

First up, is the Kitchener Rangers tonight (Friday) at Memorial Gardens, then a Sunday matinee in Mississauga.

Coach Stan Butler says his team has to be ready as they are playing strong opponents.

In fact, he says the schedule is challenging to begin the year, “The first 10 or 12 games are not how you’d like to start the season, but we can’t control that.” He goes on to say, “We’re in tough here in the first few games and our guys have to realize that, because if not we’re going to dig ourselves a big hole that we’re going to have to get out of.”

Four players were away at NHL camps last week, but have been assigned back to North Bay.

They include Captain Riley Bruce, Brett McKenzie, Cam Dineen and Justin Brazeau.

Butler was asked if expectations are different now that those players had the experience of an NHL camp.

He says he hopes lessons have been learned from being close to the pros.

Butler says players should be working every day if they want to reach an elite level like the World Cup, “Watch how hard Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand play, and Jonathan Toews. That’s why these guys are the best players in the World, because they bring it every day and every situation. That’s what makes them great.”

Catch the Battalion and the Rangers tonight on Country 600 CKAT, broadcast time is 6:55.

(Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images)