Matteo Drobac Sets Bulldogs Record with 3-0 Sunday Shutout
January 21, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO. Wrapping up the weekend with a trip to meet the conference rival Steelheads at the Paramount Fine Food Centre in Mississauga, the Brantford Bulldogs entered the afternoon looking to go 3 for 3 on the weekend and their 4th straight victory.
Entering the game on the cusp of Bulldogs history, Matteo Drobac as sharp in the opening period, turning aside all 8 shots he faced in the frame with a pair of the spectacular variety. First a glove stop on Angus MacDonell at the side of the Bulldogs net followed moments later by an incredible split save to deny Porter Martone with MacDonell falling into the Bulldogs netminder. The Bulldogs responded to their goaltender's efforts, Calvin Crombie on a give and go with Florian Xhekaj set Luca Testa to the front of the Steelheads net but Ryerson Leenders, making his 11th straight start in the Mississauga net, denied the opportunity with a right pad save. Undeterred, the Bulldogs continued the pressure with the hottest offensive line for the team. At 13:24, Zakary Lavoie stripped the puck behind the goal from a Steelheads defender, setting Marek Vanacker to the front of the net who converted his 21st of the season giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead the team carried into the locker room through 20 minutes.
Matteo Drobac was the story of the middle frame, with the Bulldogs going back to back, their goaltender stood up in moments when the energy wained. Turning aside another 9 shots in the middle frame, including a flurry on a a Mississauga power-play. Early in the period, Noah Nelson took a check from behind from Jakub Fibigr, hitting the end wall, though Nelson would pop back to his skates and stay in the game. Calvin Crombie came to answer for his teammate, dropping the gloves with Fibigr and winning a decision in the process, though his services were lost to a 2, 5 &10 with the instigator penalty. With Drobac and Leenders keeping the offenses quiet the game finished 40 minutes with the Bulldogs holding the 1-0 lead.
The Steelheads came out with a fast start to the final frame, getting the puck deep in the Bulldogs zone and hitting the cycle, with Drobac another flurry, including on a Lawson Sherk high-sticking minor. Moving past the halfway point of the frame, Luke Misa sprinted through the left circle challenging Drobac and trying to slide the puck back between his pad and the post, Drobac deadened the puck and Daniil Sobolev dug it off the goal line with a deft touch to keep the Bulldogs up 1-0. With the Bulldogs charging into the offensive zone at 15:20, Noah Nelson slid the puck on the left for a charging Florian Xhekaj, he worked the puck across the slot for Calvin Crombie returning to the game and depositing his 10th of the season to give the Bulldogs an all important 2-0 lead. With Mississauga pressing to get back into the game, Marc Bourdreau carried the puck across the blueline on the left side and cruised middle dropping his head. Daniil Sobolev stepped in with a crushing hit on the Steelheads forward giving the Bulldogs bench a lift once again. With frustration running high for Mississauga, Adam Zidlicky was deemed guilty of a slew-foot with just over three minutes to go putting the Bulldogs to a major power-play. Florian Xhekaj bolted over the Mississauga line with the man advantage, dropping a pass for Jake O'Brien who carried into the slot, drawing a pair of Steelheads defenders leaving the puck for a wide open Marek Vanacker who zipped his 2nd of the game and 22nd of the season off the back bar to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead at 18:54.
As time expired and the Bulldogs collected the 3-0 victory, the shutout win marked the 56th in the career of Matteo Drobac, setting a new Bulldogs franchise record in the process.
The Brantford Bulldogs return to action on Thursday night, January 25th paying s visit to the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines for a 7:00pm meeting with the Niagara Ice Dogs.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2024
- Spirit Sweep East Division Weekend with 7-2 Victory over Frontenacs - Saginaw Spirit
- Matteo Drobac Sets Bulldogs Record with 3-0 Sunday Shutout - Brantford Bulldogs
- Spitfires Can't Solve Generals Oster, Lose 5-0 - Windsor Spitfires
- Fimis Extends Scoring-Streak to 13 Points in Seven Games in Loss - Erie Otters
- Spirit End Three-In-Three with Afternoon in Kingston - Saginaw Spirit
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