The first of eight games this season between the North Bay Battalion and Sudbury Wolves goes tonight (Friday) in the Nickel City.

The two teams met twice in the pre-season, with each winning a game.

The Battalion are first in the Central Division with 28 points.

The Wolves are three points back in second place.

Catch tonight’s game on Country 600 CKAT. Broadcast time is 6:55 pm.

 

In OUA men’s hockey, the Nipissing Lakers are on the road for a couple of games this weekend, to wrap up the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule.

They’re taking on Windsor both this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon.

Meantime, both Lakers basketball teams visit the University of Waterloo tonight then Wilfred Laurier on Saturday.

 

The Powassan Voodoos have a busy weekend ahead.

They’re on the road for three games in three days.

Powassan is in Kirkland Lake tonight, then Cochrane tomorrow and Timmins on Sunday afternoon.

Meantime, the Voodoos have added forward Austin Ramirez from Blaine, Minnesota, defenceman Justin Schebel, who’s from Brighton, Michigan and Lethbridge, Alberta netminder Andrew Suriano.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to play for such a highly respected organization,” stated Ramirez, who’s 19 years old. He’s expected to make his Voodoos debut on Saturday.

Schebel joined his new teammates officially on Tuesday. “The guys are great and very welcoming and billets are very nice and I’m really looking forward to playing here,” said the 20-year-old.

The Voodoos also acquire goaltender Andrew Suriano from Lethbridge, Alberta.  He arrived on Tuesday afternoon  “Everyone has been really nice so far, making me feel at home and a part of the team,” said 18-year-old Suriano.

To make room on the roster the Voodoos moved American defenceman Jacob Elrod to Blind River for a development fee, goaltender Nicholas Campbell joins the Ottawa Jr. Senators of the CCHL and forward Jack Drinkwalter was optioned to Huntsville where he’ll be an affiliate player for the Voodoos.

 

The 43rd annual NDA High School Hockey tournament is underway.

Chippewa and West Ferris are both 1-1 after day one, Algonquin lost twice while Widdifield won their lone game yesterday.

The Wildcats have two round robing games today while the Raiders, Trojans and Barons all have one.

The quarter finals go this afternoon.

In lieu of admission, officials are accepting non-perishable food items or monetary donations for the North Bay Food Bank.

Meantime, St. Joseph-Scollard Hall forfeited their games yesterday.

The Nugget reports the school has pulled the team from the NDA.

Board officials tell the paper that the team had fewer players this year and experienced some recent changes.

 

And in NDA girls volleyball, both the juniors and seniors at Franco Cite won 3-0 over West Ferris.