Now that the calendar has turned to March, the drive to earn a berth in the post-season is on for the North Bay Battalion.

They begin an important stretch tonight (Thursday) at home against Ottawa, a team they’re battling with for precious points in the Eastern Conference.

The sixth place Battalion have a one point lead over the 67’s entering tonight’s game.

Oshawa is alone in fifth, two points ahead of the Troops, after a win over Mississauga last night.

Battalion Coach Stan Butler says the playoff push needs to continue tonight after weekend losses on the road.

“We have eight games to go and we need to generate points. We need to finish as high as we can and it starts with clinching a playoff spot, and after that, get the best seed we can get.,” he says.

The Troops scored just three goals on the weekend in losses to Niagara and Hamilton.

Butler says they’ll be without two key players for tonight’s game against Ottawa, including Daniel Walker.

“He hurt his hand in a fight in Hamilton. He was operated on Monday. He’ll be about six to eight weeks. As well, Adam McMaster is out with an upper body injury,” he says.

North Bay has played Ottawa twice this year with each team winning on the road.

 

Photo by Terry Wilson /OHL Images.

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