Hamilton Bulldogs made it six wins from six games in the Ontario Hockey League, beating North Bay Battalion 6:3 at home on Friday night. The hosts have yet to drop a point this season, while the visitors sit seventh with two wins and four defeats.
The scoreline told the story, but the match itself unfolded in the way you'd expect when a team that are in control of the tie meets one that have nothing to lose. Hamilton came out sharp and didn't let up, while North Bay couldn't find a rhythm against a side that turned to the kids and trusted them to finish the job.
By then the gap in the table is clear. Hamilton sit top with six victories from six games, a record that suggests they cannot afford another slip. North Bay's position is less comfortable — two wins, four losses, and still searching for consistency after a run that included heavy defeats to Oshawa and Windsor.
The recent form of both sides paints a picture. Hamilton have won their last five games, including a 5:4 victory over Mississauga and a 5:3 win against Oshawa. North Bay's recent results tell a different story — losses to London and Windsor, and a narrow 4:5 defeat to Sault Ste. Marie.
We had called for a home win before kick-off, putting 68 per cent confidence on the Bulldogs. That prediction has now come good, and the margin of victory confirms the expectation. Hamilton money has come for the hosts, and they are making the most of it.
The result extends Hamilton's perfect start and pushes them further clear at the top of the standings. North Bay remain in the lower half and will need to find a way to string results together if they want to climb away from the bottom.
