Despite a 4-3 shootout loss to Kingston, the North Bay Battalion are heading to the playoffs.

The Troops earned a berth with Peterborough’s loss to Erie on Saturday night.

North Bay is sixth in the Eastern Conference with five games left in the regular season.

Head coach Stan Butler says they can’t let up.

“We just want to play well going into the playoffs,” he says.  “We have to have good momentum going forward.” 

Next up, the Troops play Sudbury in a home and home set starting Thursday at Memorial Gardens.

Brandon Coe, Justin Brazeau (pictured) and Jesse Saban scored for North Bay.

Before the game, the Troops handed out their annual awards.

On top of winning Most Outstanding Player honours, Brazeau won the Don “Hockey” Hadley award as Fan Favourite Player.

Brandon Coe is rookie of the year, Adam Thilander was named the top defenceman, fellow blueliner and Captain Riley Bruce was named overage player of the year.

Other award winners include centre Matthew Struthers as most sportsmanlike player, defenceman Travis Mailhot won scholastic player of the year and right winger Patrick Brown won humanitarian of the year honours.

Billet families were also honoured before the game.

 

Photo by Terry Wilson /OHL Images.