Luchanko Leads; Leenders Stands Tall in 4-2 Win over Storm
OHL Brantford Bulldogs

Luchanko Leads; Leenders Stands Tall in 4-2 Win over Storm

Published on February 14, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release


Brantford was feeling all the love on Saturday afternoon, as Valentine's Day also marked the Billet Appreciation Game as they welcomed the Guelph Storm for their final meeting of the season.

Today's matchup also featured a few familiar faces, as former Storm captain Jett Luchanko and faced Guelph for the first time since joining the Bulldogs, while Layne Gallacher & Patrick Babin played their first games back in Brantford. Tyler Hopkins generated a quality chance off the rush, finding Illia Shybinskyi waiting on the doorstep, but Ryerson Leenders came up with another key save to keep the game scoreless. Brantford answered back moments later as Cooper Dennis and Caleb Malhotra broke out on an odd-man rush. Dennis spotted Malhotra alone out front, and the rookie attempted to slip a backhand through the legs, but was denied before being taken down, drawing a penalty and giving the Bulldogs a power-play opportunity. However, the Storm penalty kill held strong, limiting Brantford to few quality looks. After 20 minutes of play, both teams headed to the locker room scoreless, with the Storm holding an 11-7 edge in shots.

The Bulldogs looked to open the scoring early as Jett Luchanko unloaded a drive from the blue line, but the puck trickled just wide of the net. Guelph answered back with a dangerous chance of their own when Hunter McKenzie ripped a shot that rang off the post. Brantford continued to push offensively as Zack Sandhu fired a rocket from the right circle, though Storm netminder Colin Ellsworth snagged it with the glove. The Storm struck first at 6:46 to grab a 1-0 lead. Tyler Hopkins dropped the puck back to Il lia Shybinskyi, who danced his way through the Bulldogs' defence before picking the corner perfectly for his 16th of the season. The Bulldogs responded at 8:55 to even the game at one. With the Storm heading to the box, Brantford pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker and made it count. Cooper Dennis found Jett Luchanko waiting on the doorstep, and he jammed it home for his seventh of the season. At the other end, Illia Shybinskyi broke in with speed, and despite Adam Jiricek attempting to haul him down, Shybinskyi still managed to get a shot away, but Leenders answered with a blocker save. In the final moments of the frame, Luca Testa popped the puck over to Nik Rossetto for a quick chance in tight, but Ellsworth came up with the save to keep the game knotted at one. After 40 minutes of play, both teams headed to the locker room tied 1-1, with the Bulldogs holding a 23-22 edge in shots over the Storm.

The Bulldogs looked to grab the lead as Owen Protz fired a drive from the blue line, and Jett Luchanko looked to jam the rebound under the pads from the doorstep, but Colin Ellsworth shut the door. At the other end, Patrick Babin set up Illia Shybinskyi off the rush, though Ryerson Leenders kicked out the pad to make the stop. Brantford later headed to the power play and earned a two- man advantage for 1:41. The Storm penalty kill held strong early, as a Guelph defenceman came up with a key block on Caleb Malhotra. However, the Bulldogs eventually broke through at 10:15 to take a 2-1 lead. Marek Vanacker found Malhotra waiting at the doorstep, and he made no mistake, burying his 25th of the season. The Bulldogs extended their lead just two minutes later at 12:15.

Cooper Dennis connected with Gabriel Frasca, who ripped a shot over the shoulder of Ellsworth for his 21st of the season, giving Brantford a 3-1 advantage. Brantford added an insurance marker at 18:31, as Luchanko connected with Vanacker for the empty-net goal, his 38th of the season. The Storm answered back at 19:20 when Layne Gallacher set up Will McFadden, who snapped home his eighth of the year. However, the Bulldogs held strong and secured a 4-2 victory over the Guelph Storm.

Brantford returns to action on Monday, February 16, when they travel to Slush Puppie Place to take on the Kingston Frontenacs on Family Day. Puck drop is set for 2:05 p.m.

Check out the Brantford Bulldogs Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2026


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