You win some, You lose some- Steelheads fall 5-3 to Bulldogs
Brantford, ON- The Brampton Steelheads fall 5-3 to the Brantford Bulldogs after Nick Lardis’ hatrick and one assist lead to a battleback victory.
While there was an opportunity to build a two-game win streak for the Steelheads, special teams, penalties, and Lardis’ three goals late in the game led to a Bulldogs’ win.
Despite being down several players going into the matchup, leading to numerous line changes, specifically on the backend, the Steelheads started the game strong with two early goals. Like most first-period goals this season, the Trout broke the ice within the first minute.
Luke Misa made a big hit on Noah Roberts just inside the Bulldogs zone, allowing Porter Martone to pick up the loose puck. With the Bulldogs’ defence focused on him, Martone made a quick pass over to Carson Rehkopf, who, with the open lane, buried the puck into the net just 29 seconds into the game.
While the Bulldogs had some chances in the opening 10 minutes, including a breakaway opportunity, it was no match for Jack Ivankovic, who made some huge saves to keep the Steelheads lead.
Misa again added to his points tally with a beautiful goal to bring the Trout’s lead to two. After getting a chip pass from Gabriel Chiarot at the Steelheads’ blue line, Misa carried the puck up the right side of the ice, deep into the Bulldogs’ zone. With Rehkopf following up the left to create the 2-on-1 opportunity, Misa committed to the shot and sent the puck over the shoulder of Ryerson Leenders.
The two-goal lead did not last long for the Steelheads, as Cole Brown got the Bulldogs on the board less than two minutes later. Jake O’Brien picked up the puck in the left corner and made a cross-crease pass to Zackary Lavoie. Instead of taking the shot, Lavoie covered off Ivankovic on the right and sent the puck over to Brown, who one-timed it into the open net.
The Bulldogs continued with their early battleback and tied up the game on the power play following Finn Harding’s tripping penalty. With the extra attacker, the Bulldogs quickly set up a play in the Steelheads’ zone. O’Brien got the puck at the left faceoff dot and set up for what looked to be a shot on goal; instead, he sent a tricky pass down to Patrick Thomas, who one-timed it into the net.
The first period ended in a tie, and it seemed like the second would play out the same after numerous scoring chances were met with saves. However, halfway through the second, the scoring was once again unlocked, leading Brantford’s first lead of the game.
Kieran Witkowski broke the tie game with a nice unassisted goal. The puck was sent down ice from the Steelheads’ zone, leading to a race between Manuel Amado and Ben Radley to get possession in the Bulldogs’ end. As the two players got tangled up, it left the puck open for Witkowski, who buried it past Leenders.
Things were looking good for the Trout, but after Amado was called for a 5-minute major for checking from behind, Nick Lardis’ two power-play goals gave the Bulldogs the lead.
O’Brien set up the first power-play goal after he sent a pass out front to Lardis, who, with lots of traffic in front, got the puck past Ivankovic’s glove side.
With almost four minutes remaining in the power play, the Bulldogs set up for another play in the Steelheads’ zone. Lardis took a shot on Ivankovic from the left hash marks, which was easily blocked, leading to Brown picking up the rebound. Instead of sending another shot on goal, Brown made a pass over to Lardis, who one-timed it into the net.
The Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead to end the second and entered the third on the power play after Rehkopf was called for slashing in the remaining seconds of period two.
Despite starting the third a man-down, the Steelheads worked hard defensively, allowing for an easy penalty kill. Looking to tie things up, the Trout shifted their offence and began pushing hard in the Bulldogs zone to generate a goal.
While the Steelheads had numerous chances, including a power play late in the third, no goals were scored. With less than two minutes to go, the Trout pulled Ivankovic and sent out the extra attacker in hopes of evening out the score. However, after getting puck possession in his own end, Lardis sent the puck down into the empty net, ensuring the 5-3 Bulldogs’ victory.
The Steelheads hit the ice again on Wednesday as they head to Erie to take on the Otters before returning home on Friday for their Miracle on Main Street game against the Ice Dogs. For tickets, click here.
