Kyle Potts of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images. Kyle Potts of the North Bay Battalion got the Troops on the board with his 4th goal of the season on Thursday night against Erie. (Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images).

North Bay started the game with five regular players out of the lineup, and they found themselves trailing 2-0 in the third against the best team in the OHL.

But the Troops rallied for three quick goals out of the gate and held off the Erie Otters for their 9th straight home win at Memorial Gardens.

The 3-2 win for North Bay was just the second road loss of the year for Erie and Head Coach Stan Butler says the Troops continue to show they are a resilient team.

The Battalion may have had some puck luck on their side.

Near the start of the third period, Otters Goaltender Devin Williams fell behind his own net, allowing North Bay to capitalize and score their first of the game as Rookie Centre Kyle Potts sent the puck into the empty net.

Less than three minutes later the Troops had taken the lead with two quick goals thanks to Mike Amadio and Brett McKenzie as the Otters brought in their backup goaltender for the injured Williams.

Butler says the team needed a spark.

Jake Smith made 31 saves en route to the Troops 20th win of the season.

Butler says it’s a good win against a good team.

The Troops have a quick turnaround as the visit the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night. The Battalion enter the game just one point behind the Mississauga Steelheads for third in the OHL Eastern Conference, and four points behind division leading Barrie Colts.

Catch Fridays game on the voice of the Battalion Country-600 CKAT, starting with the pre-game at 6:35pm.