The North Bay Battalion got the first win of the season monkey off their backs, now they look to knock off the first home win of the year. Tomorrow the Troops host the Owen Sound attack at Memorial Gardens.
Head Coach Stan Butler says Owen Sound will be a tough test. Michael McNiven is back from Montreal Canadien’s training camp, and other than overage goalies Butler says he could be the best goalie in the OHL. And despite Owen Sound’s slow start to the year (1-3-0-0), Butler says they’ve been playing well and maybe not getting the goaltending they expect. That should change tomorrow night when McNiven is between the pipes.
Butler also believes his team has a big challenge early in the year. Starting with Owen Sound, the Troops travel to Sault St. Marie on Saturday and then they return home for Niagara. The Battalion are usually stout on the road, but historically have been slow starters on home ice. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
*Quick Hits*
Former Battalion Captain Cody Hodgson has decided to hang up his skates after consecutive disappointing seasons. The Predators made the announcement today announced that Hodgson has hung up his skates to join the Predators’ youth hockey and fan development program.
He missed almost all of the 2009-10 season due to a serious back injury sustained during off season training, which derailing his progress. Stan Butler was Hodgson’s coach in junior, and he says no one ever saw him play in the NHL the way he was capable of playing. He says it’s sad to see a guy with so much potential have his career cut short due to a debilitating injury like that.
