For 50 minutes and 4 seconds, the Battalion were either tied, or had the lead against the London Knights. And on the road, in a building they have yet to win in, since moving to North Bay, they had given themselves a chance to not only snap that streak, but their seven game losing streak as well.

Unfortunately for the young club, the Troops gave up a Liam Foudy (5) goal at 10:04 of the third, to get London ahead 3-2, their first lead of the game.

North Bay would tie it up at 17:36 when Matthew Struthers (10) made a beautiful drag move to get into the zone, drive to the net and then skate to the far side post to beat Knights goaltender Dylan Myskiw.

3-3 with under three to play and the Knights then poured on the pressure. Save after save was made by North Bay netminder Joe Vrbetic in what can only be described as a gutsy performance from the rookie goaltender. His Troops were flying around, throwing themselves in front of the puck, including Alex Christopoulos who blocked two straight point shots within that sequence.  But alas, the Knights offence finally broke through with a shot from the right wing side at the top of the circle, off the stick of Connor McMichael (18) that just beat Vrbetic on the glove side and ended up as the game winner.

Joe Vrbetic made 46 saves on 50 shots while, North Bay got goals from Mitchell Russell, Brad Chenier and Struthers.

 

 

Filed under: London Knights, North Bay Battalion, OHL