Nick Paul scores three goals as Battalion defeat Steelheads 5-2

BRAMPTON, Ont. - Nick Paul had a hat trick and Blake Clarke scored a pair of goals as the Brampton Battalion beat the Mississauga Steelheads 5-2 in Ontario Hockey League action Monday afternoon.

Mississauga won 5-4 in a shootout at the Hershey Centre on Sunday in the first game of the home-and-home series.

Mississauga (19-14-3) opened the scoring on the power play with less than seven minutes to play in the first period when Stuart Percy’s blast from the point eluded Jake Smith.

Clarke tied the game during a two-man advantage early in the middle stanza with his first of the afternoon.

Brampton (19-14-6) took the lead shortly after Nick Paul streaked in from the opposite wing and beat Spencer Martin with a quick shot.

Riley Brace tied the game on the power play before Clarke put Brampton ahead for good late in the second, with a precise wrist shot. from the high slot.

Paul completed the hat trick with a pair of empty net tallies late in regulation.

"It feels great to beat these guys," said Battalion goaltender Jake Smith. "Losing in the shootout on Sunday like we did is the worst way to lose."

Martin stopped 31 of 34 shots for Mississauga, while Smith turned aside 25 of the 27 shots sent his way. Mississauga went 2-for-3 on the power play with Brampton converting on one of seven opportunities with the man advantage.