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OHL Brantford Bulldogs

Staios OT Hat-Trick Leads Bulldogs to 6th Straight Victory

February 26, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release


HAMILTON, ONTARIO. The Bulldogs hit the middle of their weekend 3-in-3 on Saturday afternoon facing off against the Ottawa 67s for the 4th time this season and first of 4 meetings in the next 4 weeks. Riding off the energy of last night's victory over the Battalion the Bulldogs looked to extend their win streak to 6, bolstered by the return of leading goal-scorer Avery Hayes.

The first period both teams looked to find their footing with Hamilton testing Max Donoso early and often, a theme that would continue through the game. Donoso would make his finest stop of the opening period, a shoulder save off Logan Morrison from a Patrick Thomas setup. As the period wore on the 67's began to press for control, leading to Marco Costantini's finest stop, a kick save on Boucher denying the Ottawa winger an open goal. After 20 minutes of play the teams were left at a stalemate due to Costantini and Donoso dueling to a draw.

To open the second frame the Bulldogs set the pace once more attempting to break through the wall Donoso put up. At 3:02, Artem Grushnikov broke through the wall with his blast of a shot from the blue line to put the Bulldogs up 1-0 for his 3rd of the season with Braeden O'Keefe and Cole Brown picking up the helpers. Ottawa would quickly respond however, while on the powerplay at 7:13 Jack Beck tied the game with a low shot, eluding Costantini. Coming fresh out of the box Vinzenz Rohrer broke the tie at 11:01 giving the 67s a 2-1 lead, tipping a Will Gerrior shot. Before the period was out, with Ottawa back on the man advantage, Rohrer would strike once more, banking a shot from the top of the right circle off Grushnikov and in giving the 67's a 3-1 lead through 40 minutes despite being out-shot 28-10.

Cue the comeback ...The Bulldogs were back on track with Nathan Staios ripping a shot from the point for his 10th of the season from a Patrick Thomas pass, capping off a great shift for the Dogs' rookie, and Mason McTavish to cut the 67s lead to 2-1 at 3:55. At the halfway mark Hamilton looked to have the tie as Arber Xhekaj let a shot loose from the right circle in a 2-on-1 and Donoso denied him with show-stopping glove save. With the Bulldogs powerplay unit steeping up with McTavish sending the puck to Morrison who in turn sends a no look pass to Staios at the blueline for him to rip it for his 2nd of the game and 11th of the season to tie it up at 11:45.

Both teams pushed hard for the final goal and after 60 minutes of play they were left in a 3-3 stalemate. On the 3 on 3 overtime 40 seconds in Staios completes the comeback with a hattrick goal over the shoulder of Donoso for his 12th of the season off the pass of McTavish, who showed his incredible skill and control of the play, and Morrison and the Bulldogs extend their win streak to 6.

The Hamilton Bulldogs are headed down the QEW to face off against rivals Niagara IceDogs at 2:00pm at the Meridian Centre.

For more information on Hamilton Bulldogs 2021-22 season tickets, flex packs or single game tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit -¯ hamiltonbulldogs.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2022


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