67’s outshot, but outscored Battalion 4-3

Philippe Trudeau stopped 38 of 41 shots on route to a 67’s 4-3 regulation victory over the North Bay Battalion on Thursday night.  Trudeau was named the game’s first star and notched his 9th win of the season.

Retribution from the 4-3 loss against the Battalion in Ottawa back in September, the 67’s tied up the season series at one game apiece.

John Urbanic pictured the last time these two teams met in September

Similar to the first game between these two teams, the Battalion opened the scoring on the powerplay.  Newly acquired overage winger Ben Thompson beat Trudeau glove side in the slot for his first with his new team.  That’s the 4th powerplay goal the 67’s allowed in 2 games against the Battalion.

Ryan Van Stralen would tie the game at one.  Showing off his hand-eye coordination, he batted a bouncing puck into the net on the short side catching goaltender Jake Smith out of position.  Van Stralen was involved a lot in the game earning his own Gordie Howe Hattrick after adding a fight and assist later in the game.

Dante Salituro gave the 67’s their first lead of the game midway through the second after accepting a gorgeous cross-crease pass from linemate Brendan Bell and firing it into a wide open net.  They led 2-1 after 40 minutes, a lead for only the 6th time this the season.

The Battalion rallied early in the third period scoring a pair of goals in a span of a minute and a half.  Jamie Lewis knocked in his own rebound to tie it up while Brenden Miller got the go-ahead goal after Trudeau was screened out front.

Travis Konecny would get another timely goal and tie the game at 3.  Taking full advantage of a great backhanded pass by Alex Lintuniemi, Konecny made no mistake and slid the puck past Smith on the sharp angle.  There was no chance for Smith to stop the puck as he was already committed to narrowing the angle on Lintuniemi.  A two point night for Konecny puts him back in the lead for rookie scoring with 28 points in 25 games. 

Brett Gustavsen would become the 67’s hero at the 10:47 mark in the third period.  Converting off a turnover in the Battalion zone, Brendan Bell picked up the loose puck in the corner and fed it to Gustavsen who was waiting on the door step in front of Smith.  His 9th of the season would stand as the game winning goal.

The 67’s go on to win their 3rd straight game and improve to 10-13-1-1 on the season.  A big win for the 67’s who are in the midst of a tough 3-game Northern road trip.  They continue to travel 5 hours across highway 17 where the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds await another matchup tomorrow night.

Game sheet here.