Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Battalion Back Home: Can Rest Be a Weapon Against the Streaking Steelheads?

The North Bay Battalion are finally back on home ice after a grueling six-game road trip, but a red-hot Brampton Steelheads team awaits. Brampton has been tearing through the league lately, are they truly a top contender now or is this a temporary surge? With North Bay battling for playoff positioning, this game takes on added importance. Coach Oulahen emphasizes the importance of rest, calling it a weapon. In junior hockey, with such a condensed schedule, is rest truly a deciding factor, or are skill and execution more important? How much of an impact does rest truly have at this critical point in the season? Let’s hear your thoughts.

Beyond this immediate matchup, North Bay’s struggles with shorthanded goals against raise some concerns. Giving up two shorties to the Soo Greyhounds, who lead the league in that category, highlights a potential weakness. How can the Battalion address this issue and tighten up their special teams play before it costs them valuable points in the standings?

Finally, the debut of Declan Gallivan adds an interesting wrinkle. Overcoming a significant illness to finally join the team mid-season demonstrates resilience, but what are realistic expectations for a player in this situation? Can he make a tangible contribution down the stretch, or is this primarily a developmental opportunity? Share your predictions for Gallivan and the Battalion’s remaining games.