Xhekaj Shootout Winner Extends Bulldogs Win Streak to 9
March 4, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release
HAMILTON, ONTARIO. The Hamilton Bulldogs entered play on Friday looking to make it 9 wins in a row against the Ottawa 67s. After the steady and defensive game last night against the Mississauga Steelheads the Bulldogs were looking to open it up a bit but with a stingy Ottawa side and several key players out of the lineup, the Dogs had their work cut out for them.
Minus Mark Duarte, Nathan Staios and Ryan Winterton, Hamilton looked a little different to open the first frame but the Bulldogs came out strong with 3 chances that just wouldn't go including 2 crossbars from Logan Morrison. The 67s broke the ice from Alex Johnston on penalty kill steal at 3:06 to give the 67s the 1-0. With 8 minutes left Marco Costantini made the save of the period with a scramble out front keeping the 67s at bay to keep the Bulldogs firmly in the contest.
Similar to their last meeting Max Donoso stood tall in the Ottawa crease closing out the first period with the 67's up 1-0.
Jan Mysak opened the second period looking glove side to even the game only for Donoso to rob him and keep the lead the 67s in front. At 11:28 Hayes danced his way through the Ottawa defense to slide it backdoor to Logan Morrison for his 25th of the season to knot the game at 1-1 with Ryan Humphrey later being credited with the secondary assist. Late in the period, Adam Varga found himself behind the Bulldogs defense at the end of an Ottawa penalty-kill, in alone 1-on-1 with the Bulldogs netminder Costantini came through with the marvelous breakaway glove save to keep the game tied at 1 through 40 minutes.
The press was on from the Bulldogs from the drop of the puck in the third period starting with George Diaco racing to the Ottawa net, but Donoso shut down the opportunity. With both teams battling back and forth for the next goal it became a goaltender's duel once again between Costantini and Donoso. A last gasp third period rush for the Bulldogs saw Morrison feed Hayes on the doorstep only to have the puck come off Teddy Sawyer's skate and lay dead for Donoso to hop on. After 60 minutes of play the score remains tied and the game headed into a 3 on 3 5- minute overtime which wouldn't be enough to break the deadlock and turning the game to a shootout to decide the victor. Costantini held the fort for the Dogs with a pair of poke checks and after another Datsyukian Diaco goal, the game came down to Arber Xhekaj, the Bulldogs veteran defender started left and broke to the slot firing top right corner to get the extra point and extend the Bulldogs win streak to 9 with a 2-1 shootout victory.
The Hamilton Bulldogs are headed to Barrie to face off against the Colts next Thursday March 10th at 7:30 pm at the Sadlon Arena.
For more information on Hamilton Bulldogs 2021-22 season tickets, flex packs or single game tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2022
- Hislop Scores First OHL Goal; Spirit Fall to Rangers, 5-2 - Saginaw Spirit
- Spitfires Comeback from 3-0, Fall 5-4 in OT - Windsor Spitfires
- Xhekaj Shootout Winner Extends Bulldogs Win Streak to 9 - Brantford Bulldogs
- 5-0 Run Lifts Rangers over Saginaw - Kitchener Rangers
- Firebirds Become First OHL Team to 20 Road Wins, Top Otters 3-2 Friday Night - Flint Firebirds
- Peterborough Doubles up IceDogs - Niagara IceDogs
- Late Goal Drops Erie in Terrific Battle with OHL's #3 - Erie Otters
- First-Place Firebirds Invade Erie for Back-To-Back Battles with Otters Starting Tonight at 7 - Flint Firebirds
- Sting Sign Lambton Local Owen MacDonald to OHL Standard Player Agreement - Sarnia Sting
- Spirit Continue Road Trip Friday Night in Kitchener - Saginaw Spirit
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