INCREDIBLE BULLDOGS SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE IN GAME 6
OTTAWA, ONTARIO. The Brantford Bulldogs entered Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series on Sunday night facing elimination for the second time in just over 24 hours. The Bulldogs were forced to fight for survival still with the absence of Tomas Hamara while Ben Bujold wasn’t able to go in the back to back, while Ottawa lost defenseman Matthew Mayich to a suspension following Game 5.
For the first time in the series, the 67’s struck first, taking the early lead on the power-play just 4:47 into the game with Will Gerrior striking for his 2nd of the post season coming from Jack Dever & Brady Stonehouse to give the 67’s a 1-0 lead. The hosts doubled their lead at 13:22 with Brady Stonehouse tossing a shot to the front of the net that deflected on the way through, coming off of Matteo Drobac and landing for Jack Dever who recorded his 2nd of the postseason to take a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.
The middle frame saw the Bulldogs get an early jump, out-shooting the 67’s by an 8-1 margin close to the halfway point but Collin MacKenzie held the 67’s outfront. Ottawa extended their lead at 15:50 as Bradley Horner took the puck out of a pile off the left wing boards, strode into the left circle and hit the back of the net for his 2nd of the series, giving Ottawa a 3-0 lead heading into the third period.
The Bulldogs opened the final frame with a jolt, on the power-play at 1:04, Owen Protz held the puck onside at the left point skating down the wall where he exchanged with Marek Vanacker. While getting the power-play unit set in the offensive zone, Vanacker gave the puck to Zakary Lavoie skating in off the right point and down through the circle where he whistled a drive over MacKenzie’s shoulder for his 4th of the series to get Brantford back within a pair at 3-1. Ottawa quickly moved to close the door however at 6:26 as Luca Pinelli & Jacob Maillet combined to find Will Gerrior on the right side who’s shot made it over Drobac’s shoulder and tucked under the crossbar to restore the three goal Ottawa lead at 4-1 on Gerrior’s 2nd of the game & 3rd of the series. With time ticking away, the Bulldogs pulled Matteo Drobac to the bench with just over five minutes to go. After chances for Lardis & Lavoie were turned aside, Bradley Horner caught up to a Samuel Mayer clearance and tossed it into the open goal for his 2nd of the game & 4th of the season putting Ottawa up 5-1 at 15:23. Chris Barlas added one more for the hosts at 19:19 to close out the series with the 67’s taking Game 6, 6-1.
With the series coming to a close the Brantford Bulldogs will say goodbye to a special group of overage players. Captain Lawson Sherk, became the 7th captain in Bulldogs history to open the 2023-24 season. Having been a key part of the 2022 OHL Championship team, Sherk became just the 2nd Bulldog in franchise history to skate in 250 games. The consummate leader, Sherk leaves the Bulldogs as one of the most respected locker room presences in team history. Goaltender Matteo Drobac will graduate from the Bulldogs holding five franchise records; most wins, games played, minutes played, saves and shots faced by a Bulldogs goaltender. Another member of the 2022 OHL Champions, Drobac has been one of the most prolific netminders in Bulldogs history. Though Daniil Sobolev only played a half season with the Bulldogs, he’ll graduate from the team having been a big part in the development of a young group of blueliners who have looked up to him and learned tremendously from him right from his arrival.
Closing out the season the Bulldogs would like to say thank you to our graduating players and to all our fans who have followed along from the very beginning in our new home in Brantford. A tough end won’t diminish a tremendous season for the Brantford Bulldogs.