Colin Ward / OHL in 60 Podcast
@colinward_O / @OHLin60Podcast
The OHL's Eastern Conference top seeded Brantford Bulldogs took care of the North Bay Battalion in their first round playoff series in five games in front of their home fans at the Brantford Civic Centre, after the Battalion avoided the sweep.
The Bulldogs wasted no time getting their powerplay going again as Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis found the back of the next just two minutes into the contest, before adding a pair more, giving him seven goals through the first five games of the postseason.
The Battalion finished the first period with momentum but could not solve Bulldogs goaltender Ryerson Leenders who stopped 23 of 24 in the contest and 9 of 9 in the first. Mike McIvor stopped 29 of 34 in defeat, with a strong showing in the series playing in front of a now young North Bay squad.
Lirim Amidovski got the Battalion on the board off a Bulldogs turn over 7:18 into the second to give the Battalion life as they made it a 2-1 game half way through the contest.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Protz found the back of the net with 9 minutes remaining in the second to tally the insurance marker and the Bulldogs wouldn’t look back from there.
The Bulldogs advance to the second round for the first time since 2022. Game one will go Thursday night from Civic Centre stay tuned on the socials for ticket sales.
