The Brantford Bulldogs followed up Friday’s crucial win over Oshawa with a hard-fought 4-3 overtime victory against the Peterborough Petes on Saturday night in Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Eastern Conference action.
Both teams were shorthanded, with Brantford missing key players including Nikolas Rossetto, and Peterborough icing only 11 forwards. Even with depleted rosters, the game delivered intensity from the start.
Calvin Crombie opened the scoring for the Bulldogs midway through the first period, pouncing on a rebound in front of Easton Rye. Patrick Thomas extended the lead to 2-0 on a power play late in the period, finishing a precise pass from Jake O’Brien.
Peterborough answered early in the second when Martin Matejicek’s shot found its way through traffic to make it 2-1. Thomas struck again before the period ended, converting another power-play setup from O’Brien to restore Brantford’s two-goal cushion.
The Bulldogs faced adversity late in the period when Thomas Budnick was assessed a five-minute major for spearing. Peterborough took advantage early in the third, as Quinton Page fired a shot past Ryerson Leenders to close the gap to 3-2.
With the Petes’ net empty in the final minute, Brady Stonehouse ripped a shot through a screen to force overtime.
In the extra frame, Nick Lardis delivered the game-winner, finishing a setup from Thomas to seal Brantford’s 4-3 win.
The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday night when they host the London Knights at the Brantford Civic Centre.
