The playoff picture is set as the North Bay Battalion lost 8-3 to Niagara on Sunday.

The win for the IceDogs at Memorial Gardens gives them top spot in the Central Division, and second overall in the Eastern Conference, meaning they will host North Bay in the first round of the playoffs.

Game one goes Thursday night in St Catharines.

Battalion Assistant Coach Adam Dennis says they need to play tough against Niagara.

“We need to be a hard-nosed team and we can’t give up any chances to them, they’re obviously very skilled and we have to make sure we limit what they get,” he says.

The Battalion last faced Niagara in the first round of the 2013-14 playoffs, winning the series in seven games.

The Troops got goals in yesterday’s game from Brad Chenier, Justin Brazeau and Mattthew Struthers.

Brazeau’s goal was his 61st on the season, tops in the OHL.

The Troops Captain also finished second in league scoring with 113 points, four back of Niagara’s Jason Robertson.

 

Here is the full playoff series schedule:

Niagara IceDogs (2) vs. North Bay Battalion (7)
Game 1, Thurs., March 21 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sat., March 23 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues., March 26 at North Bay – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs., March 28 at North Bay – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri., March 29 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun., March 31 at North Bay – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues., April 2 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.*
#NIAGvsNB

Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images.

In the NOJHL playoffs, Powassan won 8-3 in Kirkland Lake to take a 2-9 series lead.

The Voodoos won game one 2-0.

Game three is in Powassan on Wednesday.

Filed under: North Bay Battalion, Powassan Voodoos