Troops Trio | Episode 18 - Kuno & Harps at The Moose

The Troops Trio presented by Sports Illustrated Tickets & Happy Dad hard seltzers is back for Episode 18 from the The Moose's Cookhouse with special guests Carter Kunopaski & Brandt Harper.

Hosted by AJ Jakeman, Bob Coles and Ranjan Rupal, follow along as the trio delves into the week that was, the week ahead & the latest Troops news & updates.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:05

We have also five store all location.

SPEAKER_05 0:36

Hey Battalion H and we are in downtown North Bay at the Moose's Cookhouse for episode 18 of the Troops Trio, the official podcast of the North Bay Battalion. Today's guests are Carter Kunapaski and Bran Harper, and I'm gonna send it over to your host. We got Ranchin, Bob, and Matt Stuckrum.

SPEAKER_04 0:53

Thank you, AJ. Troops Trio is also proudly sponsored by the City of North Bay, the Boat North Bay, the Clubhouse at Gateway Golf, and the Fox and Fiddle. But of course, a big thank you to the Moose Cookhouse, where we are live tonight. We want to thank the viewers as always for watching on the Battalion YouTube page. Make sure you hit that like and subscribe button and share this with everyone you know. Bob? Ranjan, great to see you guys. Uh bit of a different. This is going to I'm gonna need physiotherapy after today's after today's episode. Uh Battalion, they've won four in a row. They've won eight of their last nine. What's been working for them lately?

SPEAKER_02 1:32

Everything. I mean, if you think about it, their their goaltending's been really good, their team defense outstanding, uh, especially Sunday against Niagara. Um, I think it it all started with those big wins on the road. We did that watch party, the night they edge Peterborough, and then they uh after a loss to Kingston, they won a huge game in Ottawa, I thought, gave them a lot of confidence, and they just continued it last week. Um big come from behind win over Kingston, uh a win in Sudbury, uh five and one against the Wolves this year now. And and just I thought it was a perfect game if there is one. I'm sure the coaches uh would disagree, but on Sunday against Niagara, five-nothing dominated throughout, and some really great stuff, and and they're battling for those points as we head down the stretch.

SPEAKER_03 2:22

I like to look at the three phases of the game when things are going well, and also when things aren't going well, it's a good way to break it down. Uh offensively, it's very good. And you have guys accepting roles on the different lines and uh delivering results there defensively, sound structure. You just saw in that game in Niagara, uh, 21 shots against Jack Lisson, made good stops, but he was not uh hung out to dry, you know, and no odd man rushes as far as I can recall. Uh very few uh puck transfer problems in the defensive zone, just one that I recall. Uh so very solid that way. When you're on a uh when you won eight out of nine or four in a row that we have, it's not usually one magic ingredient that that's responsible. I think it's they're playing as a five-man unit more so than I've seen all season long. And it harkens back to some of those uh championship teams that we saw that won three Central Division uh crowns. Uh starting to see them uh not quite yet, but we're starting to see them play more like that kind of a club.

SPEAKER_02 3:21

And Sunday, for example, they were missing a couple of key pieces, including one of our guests tonight, but also Caden Petrie didn't play. And uh there was no letdown on the week overall. Usually you win big games like they did in Peterborough and Ottawa. You figure there might be a letdown maybe against Sudbury or or or Niagara, but we didn't see that. Uh you know, the so really they're playing with a lot of confidence.

SPEAKER_04 3:46

And Bobby had a chance to catch up with head coach Ryan O'Lean to get his thoughts on what he thought about his team's performance over the weekend. So, producer Gerald, can we uh see that clip now?

SPEAKER_02 3:57

Another episode of Coffee with Coach, Battalion head coach Ryan Olahan and Ryan, uh 3-0 on the week. Uh big come from behind win over Kingston here on Thursday, went on the road and and beat Sudbury on Friday, and then uh just a I I thought a dominating performance on Sunday over Niagara. Really good week considering the week before you won those two road games and you didn't sort of flatline.

SPEAKER_13 4:23

Yeah, I was. And and that's kind of you know, we've been forced to sort of do that. Uh there's no secret we're trying to to climb up here a little bit. Um, and now we've done a really good job to close that gap and make things really interesting and and continue our push and continue our pace. But yeah, happy with the weekend. Certainly the results are nice, uh, but I did think that we got better as the week went on. You know, you talked about the performance on Sunday. That I mean, that's one in in which we want to replicate as much as possible. I thought we were extremely good defensively on Sunday, which led to us generating a lot of offense and and really playing in their own zone. So um yeah, a lot of things that we were kind of talking about as the week weekend went on. I don't necessarily think we had our best stuff on Thursday and Friday, but we're able to find victories. And then uh once again, just a really good performance on Sunday. I know the guys are feeling good, and now the challenge is to sort of keep that momentum going here. Um, you know, we got a few days obviously to do our routine, recover yesterday, practice today and tomorrow, and get ready for Oshawa, who's playing extremely good hockey by the way, uh, since the deadline.

SPEAKER_04 5:35

So two points there. Uh he touched on uh maybe not having their best game on Thursday and Friday. I thought the Thursday game against Kingston, I thought Kingston actually turned the puck over a lot in the first and second period, and the battalion weren't really able to take advantage of it. And then the third, it was a completely different third period than the first two periods, and the battalion were able to uh to overcome a late uh a late rally there by the uh by the fraud necks. The second point he touched on is about the team defense. They're playing really good team defense over this last little stretch I found. They're playing a lot of games with 7D, and I want to ask you guys, is that going to be a strategy that you think can work going into the postseason?

SPEAKER_03 6:17

So I think it's been out of necessity more often than not to have 70 because we do have a some excess assets on the back end. Uh you have you know, you have good defensemen like Kapogeraitis sometimes being uh watching so that we can get Kunapaski in, Karmarov in. So there's a necessity to to have 7D on the back end. Up front, uh 11 forwards will tell you that they don't mind double shifting. So if you have 11 forwards, you get a chance for uh procession to see more ice time. Uh some of the skill forwards like Cali can see more ice time and maybe exploit the other team when you have procession on a fourth line setup. It doesn't work that well on the road when you're not in control of your your matchups when the other when the other coach has last change. Uh so there's some drawbacks. It's not sustainable long term, and in the playoffs on the road, if you can imagine, uh in Peterborough, let's say, uh you've got 11 forwards, it's gonna be taxing on a on a guy like procession to be double shifting.

SPEAKER_02 7:13

Now the thing about 11 and 7 is it's not preferable. No coach wants to be doing it for the long term. But on the other hand, forward's never gonna complain about more ice time. Right. But for the defense, that's where the adjustment is. And also in the coaching aspect of it, because you're gonna have different partners throughout the game, and and it's obviously defense is uh is a big key, especially on the road, as you say. But but it is but they have 9D and they've been trying to get everybody in, but at some point I think they're gonna have to whittle that down to the six they're gonna use in those big games. And and but they've had injuries up front too, right? So so it's made the adjustments a little easier, I think, for the coaching staff, knowing by necessity, but at some point I think they'll they'll be back to twelve at the six.

SPEAKER_03 7:58

With the 11 forwards, it's possible to protect a forward who's banged up. You can you can have an opportunity to sit him, give him some rest. Um and yeah, the 7D is a way to get Kunapaski in the lineup, and and I think the more we see of Kunapaski in the lineup, the better, because he's a 16-year-old defenseman, he's ready to play and ready to have an impact. And that's been one of the blessings of having 7D um more often than not.

SPEAKER_04 8:21

Well, one of one of the other guys that is making their mark on defense, and he has been for the last couple of years, is Aaron Enright, and Bobby had a chance to uh talk to uh Ko Julhan about Aaron Enright specifically. So why don't we hear that now? Producer Gerald, hit that clip.

SPEAKER_02 8:36

Number four on your D. He doesn't get a lot of headlines. But to me, like he had a big lead late in the game on Sunday. He's blocking shots, like he's really helping out his goaltender. Uh uh talk about the value of having a player like that, especially as we approach the playoffs.

SPEAKER_13 8:55

So important. I mean, and you talk about somebody that relishes that role and and really, you know, wants to bring that night in and night out. Uh he was somebody, even in the last 10 minutes of Sunday's game, you know, we were playing for Jack at that point, and he was getting the guys up on the bench and uh you know to dig deep and do those moments. So uh we've seen it here in the past before. I mean, he's kind of got that pedigree of uh a Marcus McKyver type, uh Paul Christopher type, uh, guys that are kind of slated to play against the other team's top guys, frustrate them, block shots, and and really take care of his own zone, and that's what Aaron Enright does.

SPEAKER_04 9:35

That's something that I think that has helped them shoot up the standings a little bit. You know, they they're still fighting for that uh home ice advantage, they're right neck and neck with the Peterborough Pete, and that's something else you you talk to uh uh Kojo O'Lan about. You know, they're they're watching the scoreboard, they're checking the standings, and they want to make sure everybody is healthy. So let's hear one more time from uh Kojo Olohan right now.

SPEAKER_02 9:57

As we do this interview, um you're one back, you're in fifth place, big win in Niagara to really create more uh room for you there in fifth, but but it's gonna be quite a race. Uh as the as these games this week uh go on, uh how important are the standings as you as you game plan?

SPEAKER_13 10:16

Well, like I said, it's it's we we would be, you know, I can't stand here and say that we wouldn't want to climb up and and grab whole mice. Um I think would be a a great reward for our players, especially as of late in the way we've played. Um now saying that it's not the end-all be-all, um, but it would be extremely nice. We put ourselves in a situation here where, you know, and and not that we can't worry about the guys below us, but um it's nice to be able to just worry about yourselves and and feel that we can take care of business. And I think that's the attitude that we have to have, even though we're you know watching Peterborough closely, and it would be uh you know great for other teams to help us out that way. It's it really when I look at it, if we take care of our own business, then you know we shouldn't have to worry about even them. So uh yeah, we'll see how things play out. It's gonna be a fun, exciting, you know, next three weeks. Uh we want to keep playing hard, we want to keep peaking at the right time, and I think we're doing that and and slowly getting to a place where we want to be.

SPEAKER_02 11:18

Eight games left, six at home, two on the road. How's the healthier team going in the last three weeks?

SPEAKER_13 11:23

Uh pretty good. You know, we uh we had uh one little thing there in Sudbury where we lost Brant Harper. I don't think it's long term, but uh he might be banged up just a little bit uh outside of that. Looking pretty good, and um, you know, we're working towards getting Mikey back here healthy. I know he's uh he's to a place where he is gonna be practicing here full time this week, so see how that goes. But uh things are trending in the in the right direction for us.

SPEAKER_02 11:50

Okay, thanks, Battalion head coach Ryan Olan.

SPEAKER_13 11:53

Thanks, Bob.

SPEAKER_02 11:54

And uh one of the big things, you know, the battalion have been uh talking about you know, marching to the playoffs. Um obviously play the words of march, but also get the team in a good position to win the playoffs start. And it's great to have a race that you're actively involved with down the stretch. Six games at home, two on the road, and some big ones coming up, right? We've got a couple this week, but next Thursday against Brantford, that'll be a big test. A big barometer. They play they play Brantford twice, and uh and the big game coming up at home, probably the biggest left in the regular season at home is the one on March 15th uh against the Pete's, which could potentially decide home ice advantage for uh for what looks like a first-round playoff series. So it's great when you have these races down the stretch. Uh the fans can look forward to some big games. Last word.

SPEAKER_03 12:47

Yeah, last I just wonder that was a call. That's called that segment is called Coffee with the Coach. But I never see a coffee, Bob. What happened to the coffee?

SPEAKER_02 12:55

Well, the coffee's out of camera. He did get a coffee, right, Producer Gerald? Yeah, and I got a hot chocolate out of the deal, so it's all right, part of my contract.

SPEAKER_03 13:04

I had to I had I had to know that. So uh the uh they've done their work. Like you said, uh rearview mirror, you've got King Kingston, and uh it looks like we've taken care of business that way with that win over Kingston, the win over Niagara, a bit of breathing room there, and we can focus on just playing battalion hockey. And and if the season ends and we're still a point behind Pedro, that's just the way it is gonna be. I think that has the potential of being a seven-game series.

SPEAKER_04 13:33

Alright, we want to thank Happy Dad Beverages for bringing you the show as well as sports illustrated tickets, and we need to thank our community sponsors, the City of North Bay, the Boat North Bay, the Clubhouse at Gateway Golf, the Fox and Fiddle, and the Moose Cookhouse, where we are live tonight. Make sure you check out the battalion's social media channels to find out all the latest with Troops Trio. And don't forget, you can send your comments and questions to us at Troopstrio at battalionhockey.com. We'll take a quick break, and when we come back, our guests, Carter Kanopaski and Brand Harper, will join us. This is Troops Trio, the official podcast of the North Bay Battalion. This is the Sports Illustrated Tickets Battalion defining moment of the week. From big plays on the ice to the fans and the stands who make every game special. Sports Illustrated Tickets gets you closer to the moments that matter with leads to the sports monsters and leader events around the globe. Visit anti tickets.com or download the app today. The clubhouse at Gateway Golf, the Fox and Fiddle, and the Moose Cookhouse, where we are live tonight. And now we are joined by Battalion Defensemen Carter Kenopaski and Brent Harper. Thanks so much for being here, guys. Great to have you on the show. First time for you guys being a part of Troops Trio. Uh, Carter, second round draft pick by North Bay just last year. Brandon, you came to the battalion as a free agent before the season began. So gotta know how are you guys enjoying your first years in the OHL and your first years in being in North Bay.

SPEAKER_01 15:32

Okay, I'll take it away. Um yeah, so I came in from the USHL last year, and as soon as the rule change happened, I wanted to explore my options and ended up here, and it's been really good. The the boys are an easy group to get along with and just yeah, they they they've been really good and I have some great billets, and it's been it's been great, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 15:53

Garter?

SPEAKER_08 15:54

Uh yeah, it's been great. Just like Harp said, the boys are uh super welcoming, and obviously uh it's my first year playing junior hockey this year, so it was a big step for me, but uh I'm glad I was lucky enough drafted to the North Bay Battalion. Uh but it's been great so far.

SPEAKER_02 16:10

Uh both of you guys, I've been impressed by how easily you've adapted to playing, you know, in the OHL. Um what do you maybe each of you in your own way can answer? What's been the what's been the toughest thing, what's been the easiest thing when you when a you you play in a league you haven't played in before?

SPEAKER_01 16:31

Um yeah. Um I don't know if there's ever really an easy thing with adjustment, but I'd say probably one of the tougher things is there's a lot of high-end talent in the OHL. You know, um coming from the USHL, it's it's pretty similar, like teams are pretty similar, all that, but there's a lot more high-end talent. Like you're you're playing uh potential first round draft pick every single night, someone that's been drafted, someone that might be signed. Um and I'd say that's probably the biggest thing. That's probably the biggest difference right there.

SPEAKER_08 17:03

Uh yeah, for me, it's just like I got a big a shout out to Bill Holder. He's been someone who helped me a lot uh in my first year here, and uh just learning the new systems I think has been one of the hardest things. But I think now I got him down pat and big shout out to Bill Holder for helping me out with that.

SPEAKER_03 17:21

So how how is Bill doing? He had a bit of a an upset there, and we he's been seen around the ring, so that's a good sign. And and so what's what as far as you can tell, what uh how's he doing?

SPEAKER_08 17:30

Uh he's been great actually. I mean his attitude hasn't changed. He's I've never seen him down, like he's always smiling, always asking how how the boys are. Uh he's back at the rink now doing video with us. Uh he's our PK guy, so he's back on that. But he hasn't changed at all. He's just always got a positive spirit.

SPEAKER_03 17:48

So take us through uh what typical interaction with Bill Holder is. You're a defenseman with a bit more seasoning than Carter. But uh what what kind of impact does Bill have on your game since you arrived here in North Bay?

SPEAKER_01 18:00

Um for me, he's definitely um given me more of a mature look to the game. Um yeah, coming in this season, just working with him, doing video, doing skills, all that stuff. Um just his insight, he he's making my game more mature, whereas I'm whereas I'm back more often, whereas I'm making more simple plays. Um and I think that's that's a lot of him right there.

SPEAKER_02 18:29

Uh go ahead, sorry.

SPEAKER_08 18:31

I was just gonna say that uh he's taught me a lot of new things, and I think that uh the player I was last year compared to now has a has a bit he has a big factor on that.

SPEAKER_02 18:40

So yeah, I was just gonna agree that's you know he does a great job with with newcomers, seeing it with you, seeing it with with with really all the guys, and uh really impressive, I think, the way you've uh you've uh you know shown your style of play. I mean, there was one hit you made last week against Kingston which got the fans uh fans really pumped. So uh your type of hockey really fits in well with the fan base here. Growing up, were you always a physical defenseman, or is this something that you've sort of adjusted to as time's gone on?

SPEAKER_08 19:14

Uh yeah, I've always been a physical defenseman. I mean my dad played linebacker in high school football, so he's always encouraged that. But I don't know, uh ever since like we were allowed to hit in U 14, I think it was, I kind of just it started working for me, and I don't know, I just I like when people hit and fight, and I think when when people come to watch North Bay Battalion, I want to be player that they come and watch. Like it's obviously it helps the game and gets the boys going and it it's good, but uh it also is for the fans too. Like I when I watch hockey, I love seeing a big hit and you know I want to be that guy.

SPEAKER_03 19:49

So has Bill talked to you about uh when to make those big hits and when to to back up because it's a it's an art, I think.

SPEAKER_08 19:56

Uh yeah, I mean he always wants me to be aggressive. He when I do video with him, like there's some times where he says you can go there, and but he always wants me to like play my game and yeah, there's some times that I I should stay back, and he talks to me about those times, but he always wants me to to play my game.

SPEAKER_03 20:13

I remember at the draft table uh the your name was called and all the guys in the draft. It was a table like this, but maybe four times as long, and there's about twenty guys around the table. And they wanted you specifically for the eight games that we play against Sudbury because those get pretty intense. And uh and and I thought, well, okay, well he's 16 years old. I don't even know maybe you were fifteen at the time. How are you gonna make an impact against Sudbury? But now that we've seen you, uh and there's a game, just happens to be a game on Sunday, and hopefully, hopefully you're in the lineup because uh that's why you you were drafted. And and uh what did you feel the vibe already in those games against Sudbury?

SPEAKER_08 20:50

Uh I mean yeah, the thing I think the best game I played this year was in Sudbury. We had a few D hurt, so I got some good minutes that game. Uh ended up having an assist, but I don't know, I just felt my game, like my confidence was super high there. I like going to Sudbury because the fans like every time we score they boo us, and when they come here, we boo them. And it's I love the rivalry, but or rivalry. Uh but yeah, hopefully the Sunday uh it should be good again. And coach always says, like, some of the best games you played have been against Sudbury, and I agree with him. I think some of the best games I've had have been against Sudbury.

SPEAKER_03 21:24

Your name was announced in the middle of the summer, and so we're kind of paying attention to hockey, but we're playing attention to the Blue Jays as well. And so uh tell us how uh it came to be that you were selected of the USHL. Who talked to you, who who called you, was it your agent involved, and and what did you know about North Bay and and why did you decide to come?

SPEAKER_01 21:42

Yeah. Um it was my agent. Uh we had some discussions throughout last year as the rule changed and uh just decided that it was something I'd be interested in. Um and so a lot of that process was through Adam Dennis, Denny and um had some Zoom calls, had some video zoom calls with um Uli and I just decided that North Bay was gonna be the spot where I'd where I'd sign and where I'd head over.

SPEAKER_02 22:09

The uh your brother plays in the OHL as well, right? So uh what's this been like for your parents this year? Because you got you got one brother who plays in what Saginaw and you got one uh a a bit north in North Bay. So how much have they seen you guys and what's it been like for them?

SPEAKER_01 22:27

Yeah um my parents I mean we're from Florida so it's it's kind of tough sometimes with travel but they've done a really good job um coming out and coming to see me which which I love. I cherish that. And unfortunately we've only played my brother Levi and Saginaw two times. So they were at both of those games. And I don't know if you guys saw but it was on social media they they got one of the Centurion jerseys and split it in half with North Bay and then Saginaw. So it was it was pretty cool. It was a cool moment and my uh older sister and dad they were they were all there so it was awesome.

SPEAKER_03 23:03

And we talked at one of the uh intermission interviews with you we talked about your family being a football family and and I asked you oh how is it that you became involved in hockey uh for you can tell us that story how you got involved with hockey but also are you a lightning fan or a panthers fan?

SPEAKER_01 23:20

Or neither that's a good question. Um I'm a lightning fan. Tampa Bay you gotta cheer for the lightning and it's a good team to cheer for but yeah uh big football family my grandpa on my mom and dad's side but they they both played um my grandpa on my dad's side was a running back I played on the Dolphins um yeah and then my grandpa on my mom's side played uh Michigan State for football so yeah um my dad he also played as well pretty high level um could have played in college he didn't his body was pretty beat up so he kind of veered me away from football um but I started playing hockey I mean I started skating when I was about three so really young um and that started because my older sister had a like figure skating birthday party and I just I wandered off into another sheet of ice and saw a high school hockey game and I was like that's what I want to do. That's what I told my mom. That's it. How big uh is hockey in Florida um now it's actually pretty big like I don't know if you'd really expect that in Florida but um it's definitely grown ever since the lightning they went back to back on Stanley Cup and now the Panthers have been a powerhouse recently um so I think kids have just been really wanting to get into it and watching these games and just really really enjoying it like like I did. So yeah it's grown a lot.

SPEAKER_03 24:48

You know I was uh going to ask you one of the previous podcasts we had one of the players mentioned that you're out bench pressing uh the whole team or just those guys but maybe you can just uh provide some clarity around that like what are you bench pressing and are you in fact on the leaderboard?

SPEAKER_08 25:06

Uh the boys are gonna hate me for this because uh I always talk about it and they're sick of it. Uh but yeah I I would say I bench most on the team and I love to brag about it too just being as one of the younger guys.

SPEAKER_04 25:17

So give us a number what's the number 305 pounds for one that is impressive man.

SPEAKER_03 25:25

And so how does that bench pressing 305 how does that help you as a defenseman? Give this young man some advice.

SPEAKER_01 25:31

I mean it just it I mean he's saying it doesn't but I mean muscle's muscle right you weigh more so you you're gonna you're gonna hit harder you know I I think but I mean he's saying it doesn't but you get you could argue either way.

SPEAKER_02 25:46

One of my favorite moments of the season though you know every game sheet we get when I do the announcements for the goals and penalties and everything uh we get a we get a sheet saying you know this guy hasn't scored yet or his first goal as a member of the battalion or his first goal in the OHL.

SPEAKER_08 26:02

When you scored that first goal the whole team basically came over here all the guys on the ice they didn't wait till you skated to do the line uh congratulating you it's obviously a great thing to share with your brothers right that first goal uh yeah obviously uh it took me a couple of games to get my first goal about half the season but once I did I think the boys were more hyped than I was because they were always saying like this is the game this is a game and once it finally happened uh obviously I was extremely excited but uh the boys were super hype. I mean they got the puck right away uh and then even after the game they were just celebrating it we even went for dinner for it.

SPEAKER_04 26:42

There you go.

SPEAKER_08 26:43

Who paid? Uh well I I paid for me and some of my buddies but yeah it doesn't sound quite right.

SPEAKER_04 26:50

No, I know okay last one from Ranch and then uh then we'll take a break.

SPEAKER_03 26:55

Okay so uh the big weekend coming up last eight games of the season uh you guys have been playing very well as a group uh eight wins out of your last nine how do you keep the intensity going how how do you uh not rest on your laurels against a a tenth place Eastern Conference team on Thursday but then a uh a very tough game on Saturday night how do you keep the intensity up and uh keep the habit keep good habits going yeah the the generals have been a really good team after the deadline we we discussed this today in the locker room um and you you don't take them lightly it's it's like any other opponent you just you go in and go in with swagger and do what you've been doing and use your week of practice and just keep the ball rolling and just take them down and keep it going with with what you've been doing. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_08 27:43

Uh I was just gonna say we're we're preparing for playoffs so we gotta play like it's a playoff game. And like I I think you guys mentioned earlier we're we're playing for home ice against Peterbros so it's we need those wins and we need those points.

SPEAKER_03 27:55

We were talking earlier about uh 7D quite often on on any given night 7D means you play with some different D partners even within the same game.

SPEAKER_08 28:05

So what kind of challenges does that present and if you had a preference who who do you think uh you enjoy playing the most with uh in terms of the the rotation uh I mean yeah 7D is uh it's it's a rotation uh and obviously uh I play with a lot of other defensemen like you said but uh I can really play with anyone and and anybody on the team like the other defensemen can play with they can play their offside they can play with any anybody else but uh I would say if I want to play if I had to play with someone uh Aaron Enright or or harps I play with harps a little bit uh and Aaron like I like I grew up with him and I I played in in games with him before and I played with his brother all last year but I wouldn't say I have a preference I could really play with anybody and I think they could the other defenseman could play with anybody as well.

SPEAKER_03 28:53

You got a chance to brag about uh bench pressing 305 or 306? 305 okay what do you like most about Brant Harper's game?

SPEAKER_08 29:01

Uh he's super calm with the puck uh on the blue line there's there's this one move that he's going down the wall I earlier in the year I actually I did it and then he came up to me with this like nice move I'm like I learned that from you but he's super super calm with the puck uh on the breakout like when he has four checkers on I'm like he can take a hit to make a play uh he plays both sides of the puck offensively and defensively uh but yeah he's just super super calm with the puck and that's something that I've been trying to put in my game.

SPEAKER_04 29:30

Thanks good good honest critique of Bran Hartman there you go all right guys uh thank you so much for joining us it's been a pleasure to have you uh it seems like time runs out so quick when we have our guests on and and we're having a good chat but we'll definitely have you back on Troops Trio at a later date we're gonna take a quick break when we come back we've got our troops trivia question and then AJ will join us right here. This is Troops Trio the official podcast of the North Bay Battalion what makes Coacho so different 11,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable slit stitch is so easy just loop it around and we're right around the corner for you so I get to talk to someone who gets me.

SPEAKER_10 30:11

And we're talking 100% local support on a world class network.

SPEAKER_04 30:15

That's how we roll Koji your local connection welcome back we want to thank Happy Dad Beverages for bringing you this show as well as sports illustrated tickets and our community sponsors the City of North Bay the boat North Bay the clubhouse at Gateway Golf the Fox and Fiddle and the Moose Cookhouse where we are live tonight. Here is this week's trivia question who was the last defenseman to score a game winning goal for the troops it happened just this past weekend. Put your answer in the comments section below on our YouTube page to win a side puck by Brant Harper. Again the question who was the last defenseman to score a game winning goal for the troops and it happened just this past weekend Alright AJ's here everybody happy Tuesday happy Tuesday how's it going?

SPEAKER_05 31:13

I'm good question three hundred and five pounds what are you doing Bobby That's almost me almost me almost I saw what Carter said that Matt almost fell off the off the bench there so that's what do you do?

SPEAKER_02 31:33

I'm up to 155 now so about half of that yeah that's good math thank you Ranjin it's also good weightlifting but you're Rangen's like where's the gym I know that guy's my name burgers though are really good here by the way I'd add a double which isn't going to help my weight weight gaining or lifting weights but it's called the burgers are really good how old is Carter Carter is 16.

SPEAKER_03 32:03

16 305 what a beast yeah that's awesome but not 306 yeah I thought about that after I said it like how do you even get a one extra pound on the bar about the gym things have changed though since I was in the gym so it's been a while then it has been a while. When was the last time was it the I was never a big bench presser 192 you're a guy like an elliptical kind of guy he likes to do the flow you know the flow you know motion that at my age it's about strength and balance. Yes right balance is important that's what I hear anyway.

SPEAKER_05 32:46

What else you got for us I have a a fan question for you. Excellent yeah it's been a little while this one is uh from uh Sherry from North Bay and Sherry wants to know with eight games left in the season where do you think the battalion will finish and how many points do you think that they'll get now right now they got 71 points eight games left so that's a maximum 16 so 87 points is the max they could get what are you guys thinking Ranjan that's that's our question yes the person just wants to know how well you we got eight games left are the battalion gonna you know six are at home two on the road we have a 199 record at home so we're winning two out of three games at home so we're gonna two out of three games down the stretch your six you've already lost me like what were you what what is what were you talking about gibberish eighty three points eighty three points all right I was gonna throw an eighty two but I didn't do any of the math now eighty three points is that giving us fourth place or fifth place we are going to be this is a question for Bob because we're gonna be dead even with Peterborough points wise at the end of the season then it's regulation and overtime wins ROW it comes up later in the show so let's hold off that part of it to later in the show because there is a question later in the show about whether the battalion will finish fourth so I think they're gonna go like because you know there's gonna be overtime game in there there might be a shootout game in there.

SPEAKER_02 34:16

So I'm gonna say they're gonna go five two and one down the stretch eleven points is what they'll get so I uh where does that put you eighty two eighty four what'd you say if you said five so that's they got 11 points so that'd be 82 yeah I'll I'll say 82.

SPEAKER_05 34:35

You know we just learned our math sucks just sucks.

SPEAKER_04 34:38

No his was pretty good because he cut him off.

SPEAKER_05 34:41

Well it's because he just baffles you with stuff right and you're like what did he just say?

SPEAKER_04 34:45

It's the word C square salad yeah I was gonna say 82 as well but like I said I was I I didn't do any of the math I just thought 82 that sounds like a good number question is strength of schedule. You know how they talk in the NFL strength of schedule so it's Oshawa Barry Sudbury Brantford Peterborough Brampton Brantford Sudbury so we have some of the best and some of the worst teams coming up like it's yeah nothing in between it's either you're either basement dweller or your lead in the league.

SPEAKER_02 35:13

So we got some tough ones I can't wait for the Peterborough game though that Peterborough game is going to be a barn burner electric and this year they've really gotten up for the for the teams ahead of them in the standings and the and you can't overlook the teams below them in the standings now so um every game is going to be big for them if they want to finish fourth.

SPEAKER_05 35:34

Well and I saw a stat the other day that came on the OHL that said something about Sudbury has lost more games to the North Bay Battalion than any team in the OHL did you see that like in in what's the time frame. I mean that's about to say what it said that it was uh they're they were promoting the Northern game the other day and it and it mentioned that uh we kicked the crap out of them.

SPEAKER_03 35:53

Yeah I had it I think the battalion communique every game the the team does a really good job setting us up that has lifetime records against all the other franchises uh every one of them like Plymouth every every franchise and and yeah Sudbury has lost a ton of games to North Bay and Wellton and this year for example they had a stat um I think North Bay's five and one against Sudbury this year and they've only outscored them by the I think six goals.

SPEAKER_02 36:23

Really?

SPEAKER_04 36:23

You know so Sudbury's been in all those games but when the games are on the line the battalion get the points and the Wolves don't so the last five years between these two teams North Bay is 28 9 3 and 2 while Sudbury is 14 24 3 and 1.

SPEAKER_05 36:43

That is what you would call lopsided no kidding maybe that's why they don't give us them as a rival anymore they use Barry not really a rival when you're doing that to them.

SPEAKER_03 36:56

Every year regular season playoffs but they've had star players like Musty Byfield uh Goyette uh players like that Vilnev they just can't get it done as a as a group uh and and it's really just it's discouraging because you'd like to see some uh potentially an Eastern Conference final between these two teams at some point but they will play each other twice more this season both games at home speaking about home games what else you got for us well this Thursday night the Osho Generals are in town it's uh casino royale night presented by Cascades Casino now I always asking Owen what uh the prizes to be given away uh he said it's a secret but I know that in the last few years I know Owen a secret Mr.

SPEAKER_05 37:36

Bar but in the last few years that uh there's been some good prizing uh uh from uh Cascade Casino so Thursday make sure you're at the rink and then uh Sunday guess what guys we're having the biggest birthday party ever you know whose birthday it is Sarge Sarge that's right I know love mascot his birthday where where is he tonight he's getting ready for his birthday okay you need he's gotta get his his you know his uniform all pressed and all that stuff every Sunday five days and there's gonna be other mascots gonna be uh here on Sunday uh to uh enjoy and celebrate his birthday now in the second intermission I'm gonna it's a surprise I don't think Sarge watches the the podcast don't be offended what that's yeah that's what I heard anyways so he's not gonna hear this but we're gonna sing him happy birthday in the second intermission so we're gonna get all the fans you know 3500 people singing their hearts out to Sarge and showing uh their appreciation it's also kids club day so I know Grimace from McDonald's will be there um you know what this is gonna be one heck of a party and of course there is a hockey game as well um right it's those uh it's those wolves are in town so all right so casino royale on Thursday make sure you wear your tuxedo to the rink and then uh Sunday I'm just gonna say make sure you wear a birthday suit on Sunday but that's that's not right. We don't want to see Raj in a birthday suit all right definitely not you know I didn't know where I was going with that so you gotta wear clothes on Sunday's game okay um even if it is Sergeant's birthday and you know what in March is our march to playoffs so we're gonna have uh every game we're gonna have uh different themes coming up St.

SPEAKER_04 39:18

Patty's Day um so yeah so just stay tuned to our socials uh battalionhockey.com for more information and uh I know that uh executive producer over there is losing it because we're gone way past time so I'm gonna leave you guys with that note all right thanks so much AJ when we come back we'll hear from head coach Ryan Ohhan as well as head coach of the Wolves Scott Barney and we'll get to see something else that the troops got up to over the weekend and we'll finish it off with everyone's favorite segment one minute one minute to ceasefire all of that right here on Troops Trio the official podcast on the North Bay Battalion here does Justin know you're doing this look at this beauty he inducted himself you can do that of course you can't do that smells like a teenager I'm sorry but I don't speak French but that's not the reason I cheer for the least welcome we want to thank Happy Dead Beverages for bringing you this show as well as our as well as Sports Illustrated tickets and our community sponsors the City of North Bay the boat North Bay the clubhouse at Gateway Golf the Fox and Fiddle and the Moose Cookhouse where we are live tonight.

SPEAKER_13 40:44

So it was a busy weekend for the troops both on and off the ice celebrated dad's weekend the team also paid a visit to the uh outdoor ranking calendar at the Bill Barber complex and I hear we have some footage of all that happening yes yes we do okay great producer Gerald let's play that spirited practice a shootout with the dads um you must be getting uh all you wanted out of this day for the for the team this is awesome I mean number one we're we're blessed with an awesome day to weather uh the ice is great actually very impressive and then having some sun and just being out here um you know the the day to day sometimes is what we do just get grinding and and take a toll so when you have an opportunity to freshen things up and come out here and then have the dads around a little competitive there in the shootout I just see a ton of the smiles guys having a blast and that's really all we wanted to get out of this today.

SPEAKER_02 41:43

That's what I was gonna ask you about just being outdoors so many of the guys grew up playing outdoors maybe not as much as some other players but everyone sort of played outdoors and it takes you back to why you started up playing hockey.

SPEAKER_13 41:57

It's the purest the game is I mean when you think about as a kid when you start playing hockey it's just everybody can play whether you're in organized hockey or not you can just go out and play. And this is just the purest the sport can be so I think we've all had situations where whether it's road hockey outdoor rings no matter what it is there's no stress out here it's just guys literally enjoying the game for what it is and having a blast.

SPEAKER_09 42:29

Yeah I mean it's pretty cool and um come up here on the outdoor ring and uh spend time with the dads and spend time with the common friends here too so it's a very funny. I'm outdoors all the time. And I mean use the gambling same on some other bench or whatever and just walking play for Amazon then so it's really fun.

SPEAKER_00 42:51

Well but you um great great um great number of people here getting a lot of dad showed enough to take part in this oh yeah for sure like uh pretty much everybody's here so uh yeah we're having a great time and it's a little cold though but uh we're still having a good time though the benefits do you think um um for these youngsters uh being outdoors you know with their dads in a in a community a lot of fans here today what what do you think that says about them well it says a lot of things about them like you know pretty much growing up we did this all the time so it just bring us back to when we were younger and all that so just good memories and uh having fun with the boys so we've had a great turnout last last year it was great this year we've been able to get the battalion dads out here all the players love this event it's nice to get out in the community especially within the calendar community as it is a smaller town um but we're really excited that the dads were able to come some of the billet families as well I know you like to take more of an understated role but but there must be a lot of pride within the office that you know you you you come up with plans and then you see the reality of what you work It's honestly amazing. I'm so glad that the players are so willing to come out in the community and get out here with me. Um, it's honestly such an honor to be a part of this team and to have my name in the community with these players. They love being out here, they love the kids, they love the families.

SPEAKER_02 44:16

Skating outdoors with uh your teammates and your fellow dads. So what's happening like for you?

SPEAKER_07 44:25

Not every team gets another dad's weekend like this. So uh pretty cool essentially having an ODR scale, so yeah, it's gonna be fun. You still have to move.

SPEAKER_12 44:35

Yeah, no, I don't still run a goalie school, so I'm on the ice quite a bit. Uh so I'm always bucking on goalie. I'm gonna run a goalie school called a free. So I spend a lot of time on the ice school.

SPEAKER_02 44:46

You played in the OHL a long time ago, but there must be you must have this amazing pride with both your sons playing in the LHL right now.

SPEAKER_12 44:53

Absolutely. It's uh you know, we're going back about 25 years and uh just watching my kids play in the in some of the rings that I played in is definitely a lot of pride in the family. Uh as everyone knows the rumor is number 29, that it's a number any more, so it definitely makes me proud.

SPEAKER_02 45:10

And for you, the season is really a grind with days like this, being outdoors with your teammates, uh seeing seeing the interest out here in calendar today. That's days like today are special, aren't they?

SPEAKER_07 45:22

Yeah, and I was the uh, like you said, the grind of the season. It got your mind off the uh season a little bit, so yeah, it's definitely pretty special. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 45:32

Yeah, it was a great day. I mean, uh they started it off with a battalion practice, and then and then the dads got involved. They did a shootout competition with the uh with the dads and the battalion players uh trying to score in the battalion goalies, and uh then after uh a bite to eat uh they came back out with the community and the uh all the kids were on the ice with the battalion. Uh the dads had a great time, part of the dad's weekend, and and uh the players uh just enjoyed the the whole experience uh um just being with their dads and being with the community. A lot of the kids, a lot of young kids are out there, and uh really gonna help, I think, recruit battalion fans, just seeing their their heroes out there skating with them. Uh it was a beautiful day, sunny, it wasn't too cold, so it was lots of fun being out there with everybody.

SPEAKER_03 46:22

Seems like a very unique venue. I don't know how many teams around the league would have an opportunity to play in a complex like the Bill Barber in an outdoor setting, but with a roof and ice conditions look pretty good.

SPEAKER_02 46:32

Ice conditions were great, and uh and it's a great partnership. Another example of the great partnership the battalion do with uh this was with the calendar council and uh opening up the facility to the battalion and uh battalion get involved and really have a uh great community outreach. And we saw another example of that on Saturday.

SPEAKER_04 46:50

Awesome. Uh looking ahead this week, the battalion have three games, one with Oshawa in town on Thursday, they had to Barry on Saturday night before coming home to host Sudbury on Sunday afternoon. Let's hear what head coach Ryan Olan had to say about the upcoming schedule. Producer Gerald.

SPEAKER_02 47:07

Let's talk about uh this week because um if you look at the standings, it's not a so-called difficult schedule, but as you say, no game is easy in this league. You got Oshawa here on Thursday, obviously a tough game in Barrie coming up on Saturday. They've already won the division. And then uh Sunday back here against Sudbury. So how do you look at this week?

SPEAKER_13 47:29

I think this week is this is one of the tougher ones we've had here in a few weeks. Um even though we were on the road two weeks ago, uh I I see this one as it can pose some problems. Um like I said, Oshawa's playing really good hockey. Uh I'm just you know diving into them a little bit deeper, and and you can't just look at them as a as a whole season. Uh they did some tinkering at the deadline, and they're a much better team since January 9th or 10th, and um have been getting some wins lately and playing really good hockey. So we gotta be ready for them. And then we got the old daylight savings this weekend. Uh we're heading to Barrie on Saturday night, and Sudbury does not play on Saturday, so you know they'll be waiting for us on Sunday. So those are all the the little things that I get to dissect and look into to manage, you know, sort of manage our energy levels and and make sure that we're fresh and ready to go uh for all three games this weekend because we we can't we can't let off, you know. Peterborough had another big win on Sunday against Flint, so we're trying to keep the pace and and trying to close that gap and um hopefully keep moving up here.

SPEAKER_02 48:38

Yeah, that's a tough turnaround. You know, he goes Saturday night in Barry. They always start those games late in Barry. So the game won't end until about 10.15. You may not get off the uh out of Barrie until quarter to eleven. Two and a half hours later is 1.30. You're getting back into North Bay. Maybe you don't get into bed until 2.30, and you're gonna be at the rink at really 11 o'clock, right? Because of the time change. So it is a tough turnaround, and and you can't overlook Oshawa, you can't overlook anybody. So uh, you know, uh these points are so precious for them.

SPEAKER_03 49:15

Yeah, I think uh it's a good test, uh, but we're we're basically in playoff mode now, and the team has to be prepared to to have those quick turnarounds because sometimes you have that in the playoffs in the first round. There could be a game six and a game seven, uh one after the other. Uh long bus ride to Peterborough or from Peterborough, depending how it uh shakes down.

SPEAKER_04 49:34

Yeah, and so after the uh the Oshawa game and then the Barry game, they come back home. Sudbury is up on deck, and Bobby had a chance to catch up with uh head coach Scott Barney of the Sudbury Wolves. So let's hear from him now, producer Gerald.

SPEAKER_02 49:51

Okay, Bob Cole's here with Scott Barney, the head coach of the Sudbury Wolves. And uh Scott, uh uh looking at your team last week, um you you had three solid efforts. You were right in there against the Sioux. Uh you battled North Bay pretty hard, close game on Friday night, and and you beat Kingston on Sunday. So how do you look at uh how you've been playing recently with some of your new additions?

SPEAKER_14 50:15

Yeah, Bob, we're like really happy since the deadline, right? That you know everybody's bought into the way we want to play, and similar to probably North Bay last year, right? When you guys made made a bunch of moves, and you know, you got guys playing in the right way and and for the team, right? And usually you can have some success. And you know what, in any given night, we're usually we're usually in the game, and and you know what, sometimes it's you may take your foot off the gas for a little bit. And you know, you we saw that against North Bay the other night, and and they put a couple quick goals in. But uh overall, we're pretty happy here with our group.

SPEAKER_02 50:45

Uh obviously there's been a big roster turnover over the maybe the last 12 months. A lot of the veterans are gone. Known Wolves fans. You brought in some new guys, uh, Lemieux, Hovan, Nemich, uh just to name three. Um the decision to go younger. How is how is that being met in Sudbury?

SPEAKER_14 51:05

I think pretty good. You know, the fans seem uh, you know, when you're walking around town talking, they like the effort the guys putting in, right? And that's all fans want. They want an honest effort from the guys. And and you know what's good for those players moving on too, right? They get a chance to try to win a championship. Uh, they've helped build a lot of things here, but uh right now we got you know a group of guys that just are playing for each other and and and and for the team. And and you know what, uh any given night someone's having success. But like you mentioned, you know, Nemish, Hoven, and and and Lemieux, they they've had good success and good chemistry together for the games they've played.

SPEAKER_02 51:39

Let's talk about uh the series of the battalion. You know, on the surface, people look, you know, North Bay's won most of the games, but um, I think they had a stat the other day. I think North Bay's outscored you by just six goals, even though they've won five of the games. What have you seen in the season series so far?

SPEAKER_14 51:58

Yeah, it's it's been good. And again, I guess I go back to just around the deadline. I think there was a a close one down in North Bay last time we were down there, came right down to the to the third period at the end there. And then again here the other night. And you know what, North Bay plays playoff style hockey. I like their team, they're big, they're strong, they're physical. You know, Ryan does a does a great job making sure everybody gets a uh full commitment there for for his players and his staff. And and you know, we're doing similar things here in Sudbury, and and uh, you know what, like obviously they're in fourth place there, and it looks like they're gonna play Peterbull in the first round, right? And so I'm sure they're trying to get their habits right, and and we're trying to do the same over here and make sure our habits are good on each and every shift for 60 minutes. We we need to play a full 60.

SPEAKER_02 52:41

Well, it looks like you guys are in the playoffs too. There's a big gap now between yourselves and Brampton. So um, how do you sort of prepare your team for what's to come in the games you have down the stretch?

SPEAKER_14 52:52

Yeah, for us it's more the same. Like we've been playing playoff hockey here for about a couple months, right? And if you go back to November 17th, we were nine points out of a playoff spot. Right now we're sitting 11 points in a playoff spot. So, you know what? That's a uh great feather in the hat there for the players that have committed and and and not quit, right? You could have gone either way, and you know, we have a deadline where where the player stepped up a notch here, and and uh for us it's just every game's gotta be uh like it's a playoff game. And I think it's we don't have the group to be able to take our foot off the gas and and hope for a couple couple easy skilled goals. Uh we gotta we gotta work for everything we get, and and I think that's the only reason and only way we'll have success here right now.

SPEAKER_02 53:33

As for Sunday's game, uh what do you have to do to get on that bus at about uh 4.30 with two points in your back pocket?

SPEAKER_14 53:40

Yeah, you gotta come out physical, right? I think every game we play with North Bay, it's a it's a physical effort. You know, games are one and loss with a neutral zone. Uh, you know, IBK got to get pucks deep behind their D, and they got great goaltending. Leeson's played great against us in the games, and and we need to have the same here. And and hopefully it's a it's a close game, right? And uh, you know, a 2-1, 3-2 game would be great. And and for us, it's it'd be huge for us. Uh momentum uh after after a weekend set is always nice to win that last game.

SPEAKER_02 54:09

Okay, thanks for this, and uh we'll see you on Sunday.

SPEAKER_14 54:12

No problem, Bob. Take care.

SPEAKER_02 54:14

Scott Barney, the head coach of the Sudbury Woolhops.

SPEAKER_04 54:17

And like we touched on with uh when AJ was here, you know, the the Sudbury North Bay rivalry. I mean, it still is a rivalry, but North Bay has really dominated it, at least over the last five years, maybe even going back further, right? I can really only recall maybe two or three seasons where Sudbury and North Bay were both competitive at the same time. Uh, that doesn't mean you can overlook them as they come in uh with still two games to play against North Bay in North Bay this year.

SPEAKER_03 54:45

Yeah, no, Sudbury definitely carries a punch and they always get up for the games just as much as we get up for those games as well. And uh they were a little embarrassed and maybe disappointed with the way things turned out in Sudbury and a 6-3 loss to North Bay. So we you know we've got to be ready for them on uh Sunday afternoon.

SPEAKER_02 55:01

Yeah, it's well it's interesting with Sudbury, you know, they've they've gotten rid of uh a lot of their veteran players that like to cause the battalion uh problems, and they brought in some younger guys, so they're trying to see some growth late in the year. They're gonna be in the playoffs, but you know, it's it's right now they're struggling in close games. Wednesday against the Sioux, they were tied after two, they lost. Uh Friday against the battalion, they were tied after two, they lost. So I think they're still trying to, as a young team, they're still trying to find their way in these close games.

SPEAKER_04 55:38

Absolutely. All right. That's gonna take us to our favorite segment. One minute to ceasefire. Before we go, let's play. Producer Gerald, let's put those topics up on the board. Five topics, one minute each topic. We'll start with this one. Question one. When will the Anaheim ducks finally sign Ethan procession?

SPEAKER_02 56:03

Well, hopefully very soon. I mean, last year he got a lot of ice time on a team that was struggling and put out some good numbers, but this year, I think everyone has seen the leadership that he's shown on the ice and off the ice, helping the team in so many ways. Uh he's improved his plays, improved his skating, he's improved his shot. Uh it's time to get a deal.

SPEAKER_03 56:26

I think that we're not gonna see it for a while. Uh Anaheim has each pro team has 50 contracts. Anaheim has 44 players signed a contract, so they have six spots. They have uh about four guys similar to Ethan Procession that that are uh who who their rights expire July 1st. Uh so they have to wait. And I think they're gonna be making some moves at the trade deadline. Who knows if picks are gonna be involved or what assets are gonna be involved? So they have to wait until the dust settles on that before they uh offer Ethan Procession a contract. I think he totally deserves one.

SPEAKER_04 56:58

If he keeps scoring at this rate, he's got the second most goals in the question two Who are the beasts of the East this year? Ranford or Barry? And which team does nobody else want to play in the playoffs?

SPEAKER_02 57:13

Well, I think there's two different answers there. I think the beast of the east is Barry. The team that people don't want to play is Brantford. Barry because I think their goaltending's a little better, and uh Brantford's you know, very high scoring. That's their strength. So I would say the best team is Barry, but you don't want to play Brantford either because they can really embarrass you.

SPEAKER_03 57:35

I think the two teams are neck and neck. It's a really tough call. You're gonna see Thursday on the out-of-town scoreboard, uh Barry and Brantford playing. Um I I don't know, Bob. I think good goaltending, Leanders and Egarov and Brantford, uh it's kind of like a two-headed monster, uh it's a toss-up for me.

SPEAKER_04 57:54

I I think it's I think it's the Bulldogs. I mean, Barry's been really good, but I've seen the way they played against the battalion and outside the one, I think it was a six-three game uh last month or yeah, last month. Um I thought I thought the battalion held their own against them every time they played them. So we'll leave it at that. The OHL reached out to Cornwall to do a potential site visit. Is expansion on the horizon in the OHL. That's topic three.

SPEAKER_02 58:25

Well, I think it's on the horizon. Uh, you know, they'll have to look at uh obviously whether it's a good market. And I know it's great historically that Cornwall used to be a power in the OHL back in the day. I know our friend in Kitchener, uh Mike Farwell wants to see uh Cornwall back in the league. So uh yeah, uh there seems to be a push there, so yeah, don't be surprised.

SPEAKER_03 58:47

Uh I think there's four viable markets that they're looking at. Uh Cornwall being one of them. Uh the other one would be Vaughn, who just uh uh invested some money in a feasibility study. Burlington is another. Uh and the fourth one, probably maybe the most realistic one, is Niagara Falls, New York.

SPEAKER_04 59:06

You don't think the ice dogs would try to veto something that close to them or Erie?

SPEAKER_03 59:13

They might, but I I don't think it's the the same kind of a situation as the NHL where the other teams would want to veto each other. Niagara Falls, New York is is looking to spend 200 million on a multi-use complex.

SPEAKER_04 59:25

Alright. Will the battalion be able to overcome the Pete's and lock up home ice before the season ends? We kind of had a preview on this, but what are our answers?

SPEAKER_02 59:36

I say they will finish fourth. I think they've been pick gaining ground on Peterborough the last couple weeks. They're playing really well for the next few games. The schedule looks pretty not bad this week, so they could gain some ground this week. Peterborough's got some rivalry games, so yeah, I'd say they're gonna finish ahead of the beats.

SPEAKER_03 59:58

Six of Peterborough's eight remaining games are on the road. They are not a great road team, eleven and fifteen on the road so far this season. Six of North Bay's eight remaining games are at home. North Bay's a beast at home, nineteen and nine record. I think there's a really good chance that we could reel Peterborough in.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:14

Yeah, uh I think they are going to leapfrog over them, and I think it's gonna be important for them to get home ice advantage. Like you said, Peterborough is a much better team at home, and so I I don't think that you know either team has a huge advantage no matter who has home ice, but I do think Peterborough just is a little bit tougher to play um in Peterborough.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:35

So you never get to finish your thought. I I was close that time though. Uh AJ would not let you be on the 32th podcast. No, he certainly would not. 15 and a half thoughts.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:50

And last but not least, topic number five, if Genny Dubratsev was just named rookie of the week. Can he be a dark horse scoring leader in the playoffs?

SPEAKER_02 1:01:01

Uh yes, of course. Uh you know, you notice a guy getting better and better, but he hasn't shown it on the stat sheet. And that changed last week. He was getting better and better, and he got a couple of goals, and then he got a goal in the next game, I think, too. So yeah, he's uh he's improving, he's getting more confident, uh, you know, he's going to the front of the net more. Uh he's getting some big goals. So yeah, I would say uh he's defin not a dark horse anymore. I think they they can rely on his goal scoring.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:31

You know, it's so important. He's an 18th pick overall in the import draft. That's a high pick when you have 60 CHL teams. They had big expectations of him. He's a 2008 birthday. Strength down the middle dictates your success in the playoffs, and he gives them a viable face-off man in the playoffs, and now he's starting to score. His confidence, you can just see it, is building.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:52

Yeah, I talked to head coach Ryan O'Han after the Thursday game, the game that he scored the two goals against the Kings and Frontex, and he said he thinks Dubratsev can be an elite scorer in this league. He's 17 years old, 33 points this season. I think he's finding it. I think he'll find another step.

SPEAKER_05 1:02:10

And I gave you 10 extra seconds. In the playoffs.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:13

That's it. That's all I wanted to say in the playoffs. That's gonna wrap up today's show. We want to thank Happy Dad Beverages for bringing you the show, as well as Sports Illustrated tickets and our community sponsors, the City of North Bay, the Boat North Bay, the Clubhouse at Gateway Golf, the Fox and Fiddle, and a huge thank you to the Moose Cookhouse for letting us take over the restaurant for a little while. Make sure you check out the battalion's social media channels to find out all the latest with Troops Trio. And if you're enjoying the show on YouTube, why not come down and join us for a live taping? Don't forget you can send your comments and questions to us at our email, Troopstrio at battalionhockey.com. We want to thank Carter Kenopowski and Brent Harper for joining us, as well as head coach Ryan Olihan and Scott Barney, and for taking the time out to chat as well. We thank our camera operators, Marley, our show coordinator Owen, producer Gerald, our hype man AJ Jageman, and executive producer Steve Batonti. For Bob Colds and Rungeon Rupple, I'm Matthew Sucrum, and this has been Troops Trio.