The Brantford Bulldogs earned a 3–2 road victory over the Kingston Frontenacs on Monday afternoon at Slush Puppie Place, extending their strong run in the Ontario Hockey League.
Brantford built momentum with goals in each period and held off a late Kingston push to secure the win in front of 3,643 fans.
Cooper Dennis opened the scoring at 8:54 of the first period with a shorthanded goal, giving the Bulldogs an early lead. Kingston responded on the power play later in the period to level the game.
In the second, Marek Vanacker restored Brantford’s advantage at 14:40, converting a play set up by Jake O’Brien and Jett Luchanko. Kingston again tied the contest on the power play late in the frame.
The decisive goal came early in the third period, when Caleb Malhotra scored at 1:34, assisted by Cooper Dennis and Charlie Paquette, putting Brantford ahead for good.
Goaltender Ryerson Leenders made 24 saves for the Bulldogs, earning the win, while Kingston’s Gavin Betts stopped 37 shots in defeat.
Special teams proved decisive, with Kingston scoring twice on three power-play opportunities, while Brantford went scoreless on its lone chance. The Bulldogs, however, limited penalties and generated key scoring chances at even strength.
Dennis was named Brantford’s first star of the game, with Betts and Kingston’s Matthew Frost also earning recognition.
With the win, Brantford improved its record to 38-8-6-2, maintaining first place in the Eastern Conference with 84 points.
The Bulldogs return home on Wednesday, February 18, when they host the Oshawa Generals at 7 p.m. at the Brantford Civic Centre.
