SmartStop Post Game Recap – Bulldogs Hold Off Steelheads in Saturday Night Matchup
BRANTFORD, ON – After earning a strong win on Friday, the Steelheads looked to carry that momentum into their Saturday matchup on the road as they travelled to Brantford to take on the Bulldogs. With confidence high, the team aimed to build on their recent success and deliver another solid performance. In the end, Brantford held firm to earn a 5-4 victory over Brampton.
The game opened at a slower pace, with both teams generating just four combined shots on goal in the first few minutes of play.
At 3:36, Brampton went to the power play after Jake O’Brien was called for hooking, giving the Steelheads an early opportunity to get on the board.
With just six seconds remaining on the power play, the Steelheads broke through as David Green found the back of the net at 5:30, giving Brampton the first goal of the game.
It didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to respond.. At 5:55, Ryder Boulton tied things up 1-1 off a setup from Parker Holmes.
At 9:37, Brantford earned a power play of their own as David Green was called for tripping, giving the Bulldogs an opportunity to pull ahead. However, the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize on the chance.
At 15:09, Adam Benak broke in alone and slipped a five-hole finish past Zach Bowen to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. Jake O’Brien picked up the assist on the play, marking his 200th career point.
Brampton’s frustration boiled over late in the period, as Matej Stankoven took a tripping penalty at 16:42, giving Brantford another power play. The Bulldogs wasted no time, with Marek Vanacker putting it past Zach Bowen at 17:30 to make it 3-1.
It was a fast-paced, high-scoring first period. After Brampton scored first, they couldn’t overcome Brantford’s response. Even with the Steelheads holding a 12–9 advantage in shots, the Bulldogs maintained a two-goal lead as Brampton looked to bounce back in the second frame.
Brampton carried their shot advantage into the first five minutes of the second frame, holding a 6-4 edge. Still, they hadn’t found the back of the net, looking to climb back into the game.
All that changed at 7:00, when Gabriel Chiarot cut Brantford’s lead, slipping the puck past David Egorov to make it 3-2.
After the momentum from Brampton’s second goal, Troy Patton took a tripping penalty at 10:16, sending Brantford back on the power play; a situation the Bulldogs thrive in.
It didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to capitalize. At 10:32, Adam Jiricek scored on the power play, restoring Brantford’s two-goal lead at 4-2.
At 12:59, Cooper Dennis was assessed a hooking penalty, sending him to the box and giving Brampton a power play. Not long after, the Steelheads lost the advantage, as Joshua Avery was called for slashing at 13:28, leaving both teams skating 4-on-4.
Despite scoring a goal of their own, the Steelheads couldn’t keep the Bulldogs from finding the back of the net. Brantford continued their offensive push, this time leading the shot total in the period 13-12. Brampton headed into the final frame eager to make some stops and add more goals.
The Steelheads came out strong to start the third period. At 2:48, William Eggleton added to Brampton’s goal total, cutting the Bulldogs’ lead to 4-3.
Around five minutes later, at 7:20, the Bulldogs bounced back once again to restore a two-goal lead. Adam Jiricek scored his second goal of the game, making it 5-3.
As the final five minutes approached, the Steelheads were pushing hard, looking for opportunities to turn the momentum in their favour.
The Trout were unlucky in their approach but still showed plenty of fight, ultimately falling 5-4 despite a late goal at 19:42 from Julian Demiglio.
The Steelheads are back on the road next Thursday, November 20th, aiming to build on their hard-fought effort as they take on the Peterborough Petes at 7:05 p.m.
Shots
BFRD: 25
BRAM: 36
3 Stars of Game
- Ryder Boulton (1G, 1A)
- Adam Jiricek (2G, 1A)
- Gabriel Chiarot (1G, 1A)
