The North Bay Battalion remain alive in the Eastern Conference Finals after winning Game 4 to make the series 3-1.

Ian Goodall/Goodall Media Inc

The Eastern Conference Finals did not start out as close as many thought they would. Oshawa stood tall, and took the first three games of the series to take a commanding 3-0 series lead — one that not many teams can come back from.

North Bay only scored four goals in the first three games versus Oshawa, as Jacob Oster continues his phenomenal playoff run between the pipes. In Game 4, North Bay was finally able to find an answer for Oster, as they potted five goals on him.

This is the first time that Oshawa has allowed five or more goals in the entire playoffs thus far. Despite North Bay scoring five goals on him, Oster still found a way to make 38 saves in Game 4.

For the Battalion, their hero in this game was a trade deadline pickup — Sandis Vilmanis.

Vilmanis joined North Bay from the Sarnia Sting, a piece that the Battalion acquired to help them push for a championship. Vilmanis has exceeded all expectations set for him upon his arrival in North Bay. He leads all players with 17 playoff points, and put up 4 of those in Game 4 against Oshawa.

With two goals and two assists, Vilmanis’ biggest moment in Game 4 came in overtime. Captain Liam Arnsby made a sweet play with a pass across the ice into the high slot, where Vilmanis was able to take an open shooting lane — and he made no mistake.

Vilmanis was able to score a rare, clear lane shot on Jacob Oster, and the entire arena erupted when the puck came off of his stick.

Vilmanis – the Florida Panthers prospect — continues to prove himself as the best trade deadline pickup of the 2024 OHL Playoffs, and he has been instrumental to the Battalion’s success thus far.

This North Bay group still has a lot of work to do — being down 3-1 in the series — but they officially have some life thanks to Sandis Vilmanis.

The key for the Battalion going forward will be their ability to beat Jacob Oster consistently and keep up with Oshawa’s offence. Oshawa clearly out-scored the Battalion in the first three games, but in this game North Bay worked harder.

Game 5 goes on Friday night back in Oshawa, where the Generals will be looking to close out the series, while the Battalion look to stay alive.