Series HQ: Brantford vs. North Bay

Game 4 – Brantford Bulldogs 5 at North Bay Battalion 3 

• David Egorov made his first start of the playoffs in net, stopping 24/27 in the win
• Jake O’Brien deflected home the eventual game-winning goal, while also adding an assist
• Adam Jiricek had a pair of points for the Bulldogs with a goal and an assist
• Ryder Carey (2), Shamar Moses (1), and Parker Vaughan (5) all scored in the Battalion loss

Game Centre

Game 3 – Brantford Bulldogs 3 at North Bay Battalion 2 – 2OT 

• Ben Danford was the hero in the second overtime.
• Charlie Paquette and Adam Benak also scored.
• Cam Warren and Ethan Procyszyn scored for North Bay.
• Mike McIvor made 55 saves for the Troops.

Game Centre

Game 2 – North Bay Battalion 1 at Brantford Bulldogs 4

• Marek Vanacker scored twice for the Bulldogs, including the game-winning goal
• Adam Jiricek (4) scored while adding an assist
• Ryerson Leenders made 20 saves on 21 shots faced to record the win in net
• Caleb Malhotra continued his playoff success with his 8th goal in 6 games

Game Centre

Game 1 – North Bay Battalion 1 at Brantford Bulldogs 8

• Adam Jiricek put up four points with a goal and three secondary assists
• Caleb Malhotra continued his playoff success, scoring twice while adding a primary helper
• Jake O’Brien got on the board with his first two goals of the 2026 playoffs, while also adding a primary assist
• Ryerson Leenders was nearly perfect in net, stopping 31/32 to record his 5th win of the playoffs

Game Centre

 

(1) Brantford Bulldogs (48-10-8-2) vs. (5) North Bay Battalion (38-26-3-1)

In a rematch from last year’s first round, the reigning Hamilton Spectator Trophy winners, the Brantford Bulldogs, are slated to take on the North Bay Battalion in what promises to be a compelling second-round showdown. The two clubs met twice in March, with each team taking one game – both decided by a single goal – suggesting this series could be every bit as tight.

Brantford comes in riding high after sweeping the eighth-seeded Sudbury Wolves, powered by the offensive firepower that made them the top team in the regular season. 2026 NHL Draft prospect Caleb Malholtra has been spectacular, highlighted by a five-point night in Game 3, and is currently leading the club in playoff scoring. Meanwhile, Marek Vanacker has carried his league-leading goal-scoring form into the postseason, potting three so far.

North Bay, on the other hand, had to earn it the hard way. The Battalion fought through a gruelling six-game series against the Peterborough Petes, with five of those games decided by a single goal. But it was Parker Vaughan who ultimately ended it, scoring in double overtime of Game 6. The undisputed star of the series, however, was goaltender Jack Lisson, who was nothing short of brilliant, appearing in all six games and finishing with a 1.71 goals-against average, a .950 save percentage, and two shutouts. 

That contrast in styles makes this matchup especially intriguing. The Bulldogs come in as an offensive powerhouse, while the Battalion have shown they can defend tightly, stay composed in pressure moments, and find ways to win close games. On paper, this is Brantford’s series to lose. But North Bay arrives battle-tested and full of confidence, and with Lisson providing a steady presence in goal, they may just have the pieces to make this a much closer series than the seeding might suggest.

 

Series Schedule:

* if needed

Game 1 – Wednesday, April 8th at Brantford 7:00pm

Game 2 – Friday, April 10th at Brantford 7:00pm

Game 3 – Sunday, April 12th at North Bay 2:00pm

Game 4 – Tuesday, April 14th at North Bay 7:00pm

Game 5 – Thursday, April 16th at Brantford 7:00pm*

Game 6 – Saturday, April 18th at North Bay 7:00pm*

Game 7 – Monday, April 20th at Brantford 7:00pm*

 

Season Series:

Series tied 2-2

Dec. 6 – NB 2 at BFD 7

Jan. 22 – BFD 4 at NB 5 – OT

Mar. 12 – BFD 2 at NB 3 – OT

Mar. 20 – NB 5 at BFD 6

 

Playoff History:

This marks the second time that Brantford and North Bay have met in the OHL Playoffs.

2025 BFD def. NB 4-1 – First Round