Colin Ward / OHL in 60 Podcast
@colinward_O @OHLin60Podcast
The Eastern Conference's top seeded Brantford Bulldogs rode Buffalo Sabres prospect goaltender Ryerson Leenders to a 3-0 shutout victory over the North Bay Battalion on Sunday night.
Projected to be a high-first round talent in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Jake O'Brien's power-play marker early in the third period was all the offence the Bulldogs needed on the night, as Leenders turned aside all 21 shots he faced at the Civic Centre.
Chicago Blackhawks prospect and 71-goal scorer during the regular season Nick Lardis scored twice more to secure the win, while Notre Dame commit Cole Brown added two assists.
On defence, Thomas Budnick and Tomáš Hamara were both plus-2 in a shutdown performance for North Bay's offensive attack. Battalion goaltender Mike McIvor had a solid 25-save performance and only allowed two goals to one of the best offensive threats in all of the Ontario Hockey League, giving his team a chance until the very end before the empty-net goal by Brantford sealed the victory.
North Bay will look to their home crowd at Memorial Gardens on Tuesday Night as the Battalion aim to continue their 1-2-2 neutral zone play.
The series now shifts to North Bay, with the favoured Bulldogs leading two games to none in the best of seven.
