of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images(Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images) After sweeping Kingston, the North Bay Battalion continue their playoff run in Barrie tonight (Friday) for game 1 of their OHL Eastern Conference semifinal.

The two teams each finished with 85 points but Colts won the tie breaker and the division ensuring home ice advantage.

Coach Stan Butler says Barrie brings a lot to the table with three 100 point scorers.

He says they will have to play responsible defensive hockey, check well and turn turnovers into offense.

The teams met six times during the regular season and each team won 3 times. Broadcast time tonight for game 1 is 7:05 pm.  

Game 2 will be in Barrie on Sunday before games in North Bay on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

In terms of Captain Marcus McIvor, who took a hit to the head at the end of the Kingston series, Butler says if the defenceman feels he’s ready to go and gets clearance from the trainer and doctor, he’ll be in the lineup in Barrie.

The OHL website shows that Kingston’s Lawson Crouse was handed an 8 game suspension for the hit, to be served next season, if he returns to the Frontenacs.

Meantime, the OHL Priority Selection goes tomorrow (Saturday).

Butler also announced the Battalion obtained a 12th-round selection from the Guelph Storm in exchange for an 11th-rounder in 2017.