Troops’ twosome honoured
NORTH BAY, Ont. — The Ontario Hockey League has recognized the North Bay Battalion’s dynamic duo in the crease.
Dom DiVincentiis is the Goaltender of the Month for March, while partner Charlie Robertson is the Rookie of the Month, the league announced Tuesday.
With the Battalion completing the regular season with 11 wins in as many games in March, DiVincentiis recorded six wins and three shutouts, while Robertson registered five victories and two shutouts.
DiVincentiis had a 1.00 goals-against average and a .968 save percentage for the month. Robertson put up a 1.79 GAA and a .942 save percentage.
The strong finish saw the Battalion, which also deployed Mike McIvor in net for two games this season, end the schedule with a won-lost-extended record of 48-17-3 for 99 points, first in the Central Division and second in the Eastern Conference.
“Dom and Charlie have both really elevated their games down the stretch and are a big part of the team’s overall success,” said general manager Adam Dennis.
“Dom has had a great year and has brought a very high level of goaltending this season, consistently giving us a chance to win. On top of that, he’s been a great mentor for both of our young goalies.”
DiVincentiis has received OHL accolades all season, also being named Goaltender of the Month for January and Goaltender of the Week three times, for the periods ending Dec. 4, March 5 and March 12.
DiVincentiis went 36-9-2 this season with a 2.33 GAA and a .919 save percentage in 48 games with five shutouts, tying the single-season franchise record set by Patrick Killeen and first tied by Matej Machovsky. DiVincentiis led the OHL in wins, GAA and save percentage.
The Bolton, Ont., resident, who turned 19 on March 4, was a sixth-round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings minor midgets. The Winnipeg Jets selected him in the seventh round of the National Hockey League Draft last July.
In 21 appearances, Robertson was 12-6-1 with a 3.17 GAA, an .892 save percentage and three shutouts. He is the first Battalion recipient of the rookie honour since defenceman Cam Dineen, for January, 2016.
“Charlie has grown by leaps and bounds this season and has benefited greatly by watching the way Dom prepares on the ice and in the gym,” said Dennis. “Charlie has reaped the rewards of his hard work this month, and we’re happy for his recognition.”
Robertson, a London native who turns 18 next Sunday, was a seventh-round choice in the 2021 Priority Selection from the London Knights U16s.
Dennis lauded the contribution that goaltending coach Mavric Parks has made to the crease crew’s progress.
“Mavric has done a great job helping our guys develop through the year. Whether it be on the ice, over video or just being a positive influence in the room, he’s had a big impact on all of our goalies and he should be recognized as well.”
