The Eastern Conference Finals stage is set as the Bulldogs take on the Barrie Colts. With the Bobby Orr Trophy on the line, the Bulldogs enter the series looking to continue their dominant playoff run and punch their ticket to the OHL Championship Series.
The Bulldogs entered the Eastern Conference Finals with plenty of momentum following a picture-perfect start to the postseason, as they are undefeated with an 8-0 record sweeping both the Sudbury Wolves and the North Bay Battalion. The physicality ramped up early, highlighted by Ryder Bolton delivering a heavy hit in the Colts’ zone. Moments later, Luca Testa led a breakout rush, but his chance was turned aside by Ben Hrebik, who turned aside the rebound. Barrie pushed back the other way, as Mason Zebeski unleashed a shot from the faceoff dot, only to be denied by Ryerson Leenders. The Colts continued to match the Bulldogs’ intensity, with Emil Hemming laying out Zack Sandhu along the boards. Parker von Richter then walked in with speed and attempted to slip one five-hole, but Leenders came up with a key stop. Back at the other end, Caleb Malhotra connected with Cooper Dennis in front, who tried to lift the puck over Hrebik’s shoulder, but the Colts netminder stood tall once again. Barrie came inches away from opening the scoring late in the sequence, as Joe Salandra rang a shot off the goal post. The Colts were awarded the game’s first power play, where Cole Beaudoin found space in the slot, but his shot was blocked before reaching the net. Moments later, a broken stick from Zack Sandhu led to a quick passing sequence, as Kashawn Aitcheson set up Carter Lowe on the doorstep, but Ryerson Leenders stood tall to make the stop. After the opening frame, both teams head to the locker room deadlocked at 0-0, with the Colts holding a 13-7 edge in shots on goal.
For the rest of the full game recap, check out the Bulldogs Web site.
Story by Mikayla Grimes
