Incredible Season for Bulldogs Ends in Saint John
June 29, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release
HAMILTON, ONTARIO. The Hamilton Bulldogs arrived at the finish line on Wednesday night, facing off with the Saint John Sea Dogs at Harbour Station in the 2022 Memorial Cup Final. The Bulldogs earned their way in with back to back elimination wins over the WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings, & QMJHL Champion Shawinigan Cataractes while the Sea Dogs entered off the best record through the round robin portion.
After Hamilton fell to Saint John in the tournament opener, it was a little bit of deja vu in the opening frame of the final as the Sea Dogs got out to a quick start. At 2:35 William Villenueve set Vincent Sevigny for a left point shot that deflected off Arber Xhekaj's stick and over Marco Costantini to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The Sea Dogs advantage doubled at 5:47 as Villenueve kept the puck in at the right point and spun it on to Cam MacDonald firing from the top of the slot to make it 2-0 Saint John. The two-goal gap wouldn't last as at 7:45 an initial attempt from Mason McTavish was denied but the puck got back to Nathan Staios at the right point, wiring a shot into the slot where McTavish got his stick to it past Nikolas Hurtubise giving the Bulldogs life and making it a 2-1 game. On the McTavish goal, Logan Morrison was later awarded the secondary assists, taking his incredible point streak to 28 games, including all 19 playoff games and all 5 Memorial Cup games. Through 20 minutes of play the Bulldogs went to the room down a goal, fighting to get back to level footing and turn the tide of the final.
The second period played out very similar to the opener, with the Sea Dogs striking twice in succession Riley Bezeau at 4:41 and then William Dufour at at 5:15 giving the Sea Dogs a 4-1 lead early in the second period. Marco Costantini didn't stop fighting, making a pair of massive saves before the middle frame was out to keep Hamilton within striking distance. The perseverance of their goaltender paid off at 19:51 as Arber Xhekaj played the puck to the right point to Gavin White who walked middle and ripped a slap shot that deflected off both Ryan Humphrey & Jan Mysak on it's way past Hurtubise to get the Bulldogs back to within a pair as they went down the tunnel after 40 minutes.
The comeback was just a little out of reach for the Bulldogs on this night, after a very controversial power-play for Saint John after Ryan Humphrey was slew-footed in behind the Sea Dogs net and had unsportsmanlike conduct penalties given to himself and Arber Xhekaj on the play, the Sea Dogs capitalized with a Josh Lawrence scoring at 6:32 to make it a 5-2 lead.
Mason McTavish drew the Bulldogs one closer at 15:03, from the middle of the offensive blue line with a wicked wrist shot that ran around the back bar from Nathan Staios and Gavin White to make it a 5-3 game. With the Bulldogs net empty and Hamilton pressing late, Ryan Humphrey was hauled down cutting into the slot with no call, leading to Peter Reynolds hitting the empty net at 18:43 to close out the Memorial Cup Final with a 6-3 Saint John win.
The Hamilton Bulldogs return to the Steel City on Thursday, June 30th for a Championship welcome home, with the Bobby Orr Trophy and J. Ross Robertson Cup at Gore Park at 1:45pm.
For more information on Hamilton Bulldogs 2022-23 Season Ticket packages call 905-529-8500 or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 29, 2022
- Incredible Season for Bulldogs Ends in Saint John - Brantford Bulldogs
- Forward Alex Bradshaw Commits to Flint - Flint Firebirds
- 2022 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Primer - Erie Otters
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
