LIEB, MUSA LEAD BULLDOGS TO HOME-OPENER VICTORY AGAINST ICEDOGS
BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. The Brantford Bulldogs secured their first regular-season win against the Niagara IceDogs in an electric 3-1 victory.
With the Madhouse momentum on their side, Xavier Lieb (#17) captured the energy two minutes into the first period and scored the first goal for Brantford, and his first official goal as a Bulldog, assisted by Brayden Lappalainen (#21) and George Komadoski (#2). The Bulldogs held tight throughout the first period until 3:44, when Layne Gallacher (#73) and Wil McFadden (#12) connected to Noah Read (#93) for the goal, tying Brantford and Niagara 1-1, which would carry into the end of the first intermission, SOG totalling 13 for Niagara, and 12 for Brantford.
Brantford opened the second period hoping to take a shot at a lead in the scoreboard, however it proved difficult as three costly trips to the box handed Niagara three opportunities to score on a power-play. Brantford refused to break, significantly Jet Kwajah (#26), Cullen McCrate (#53) and G Vilmer Salen Forsberg (#29) who denied Niagara any, and all opportunity to score with the advantage of the power-play, at 7 stops in the second, 19 total. The scoreboard held steady at 1-1 the entire twenty period period, with hopes to make a change going into the second intermission to tackle the third, and final period.
Brantford and Niagara entered onto the ice in the third period, both searching for the go-ahead goal to break the 1-1 deadlock that was stagnant since the first period. Brantford would make the statement, twice. Xavier Lieb (#17), with his second goal of the night would be the deal-breaker, assisted by Joey Banas (#34) and George Komadoski (#2). Jason Musa (#10) would follow in their footsteps, securing the third, and final goal for Brantford, assisted by Kaden McGregor (#16) and Camden McCuaig (#20) with 2:44 minutes remaining, officially signing off the victory for the 2026-27 season.
The Brantford Bulldogs return tomorrow Saturday September 19th to host the Guelph Storm at 4:00pm at TD Civic Centre.
