The IceDogs will begin the weekend by hosting a division rival, the Brampton Battalion on Thursday night; the second match up between the two teams in the last two weeks. 

Entering Thursday's action, Niagara has won four of their last six games, including consecutive shutouts against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors and Kingston Frontenacs last week. 

IceDogs captain Andrew Agozzino is riding a four-game point streak, while defenceman Dougie Hamiltoin has continued his strong play, collecting nine points in his last six games.  Dougie is currently tied with his brother Freddie for the team lead in scoring with 33 points. 

Centre Alex Friesen doesn't want to see November end, as he has recorded a point in each game this month.  In total, Friesen has 21 points in 18 games played so far this season, good for sixth in team scoring. 

Stellar goaltending has been a strength for Brampton, as they are deploying two net-minding juggernauts: Matej Machovsky and Keegan Wilson.  Machovsky recorded his third shutout of the season in the 3-0 win over the Wolves, has a .914 save percentage and is 8-4-2 in 15 games played.  Rookie Keegan Wilson, on the other hand, has a 2.33 goals against average and has stopped 90.5% of the shots he’s faced.

Newly-acquired left wing Brett Mackie, and third-year Battalion Barclay Goodrow, have been providing the offence for the Battalion recently, coming into Thursday’s game with three- and six-game goal scoring streaks respectively.  Goodrow’s seven goals scored during the streak account for more than two-thirds of his total goals scored this season. Goodrow has been extremely streaky, scoring in his first three games, followed by a ten game goal-less drought, prior to his current six game goal scoring streak. 

A player to watch is first-year Patrik Machac, who has been one of the most exciting rookies in the OHL this season. Machac has been an IceDogs killer this season, scoring four of his eight goals this season versus Niagara, including a hat trick in their last meeting.