The Brantford Bulldogs continued their strong run atop the Eastern Conference with a 4–2 win over the Guelph Storm on Saturday afternoon at the TD Civic Centre.
The victory marked Brantford’s third straight and improved their record to 37-8-6-2 on the season.
After a scoreless first period, Guelph opened the scoring midway through the second when Illia Shybinskyi capitalized at 6:46, assisted by Tyler Hopkins and Jaakko Wycisk.
The Storm briefly controlled momentum, but Brantford responded just over two minutes later.
Jett Luchanko tied the game at 8:50 of the second, finishing a play set up by Cooper Dennis and Adam Jiricek.
The equalizer settled the Bulldogs, who began to dictate possession and generate sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
The turning point came in the third period. Caleb Malhotra gave Brantford its first lead at 10:15 on the power play, converting a feed from Marek Vanacker and Luchanko.
Gabriel Frasca extended the advantage less than two minutes later, making it 3–1 and forcing Guelph to chase the game.
Guelph narrowed the deficit late when Wil McFadden scored at 19:20, but Vanacker sealed the result with an empty-net goal at 18:31, his second point of the night.
Brantford finished one-for-five on the power play, while Guelph went scoreless on four opportunities.
Goaltender Ryerson Leenders earned the win with 18 saves, steadying the Bulldogs after Guelph’s early push. Luchanko, Dennis, and Leenders were named the game’s three stars before a crowd of 3,207.
With 82 points through 53 games, Brantford remains first in the Eastern Conference standings in the Ontario Hockey League, maintaining separation from the Barrie Colts and Ottawa 67’s.
The Bulldogs return to action Monday afternoon, February 16, when they travel to face the Kingston Frontenacs.
