It’s an exciting season for three Bradford Bulldogs teams, currently in Central Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) quarter final action – including the Bradford Midget A squad, in playdowns with the Ajax Knights.
The Bulldogs lost its first match 4-0, playing in Ajax – but showed their strength in a decisive 4-2 win on home ice on Sunday.
Bradford was first on the scoreboard in the early minutes of the first period on a goal by Clark Carruthers.
Ajax pressed, but were unable to take advantage of a power play opportunity – and with just under five minutes remaining, Carruthers added a second Bradford goal on a breakaway.
That wasn’t the end of the scoring for the Bulldogs. With less than 41 seconds left on the clock in the first, Minor Midget AP player Matthew Morse snapped a shot past a sprawling Ajax goalie. The period ended with the Bulldogs ahead 3-0.
A Bradford penalty gave the Ajax squad an opportunity to make it onto the scoreboard in the second period, just as the penalty was up. In back-and-forth action, neither team was able to add to the score – but in the opening minutes of the third, the Knights brought the game to within one goal.
With the score 3-2, Ajax pressed hard, hoping for a tie that would send Game 2 into overtime. Instead, the Bulldogs were able to capitalize on a power play, and Jake Lush scored the fourth goal, with less than three minutes on the clock. Ajax pulled its goalie for the extra man advantage, but time ran out leaving the Bulldogs with a 4-2 win.
Assists went to Brendan Firlotte, Tyler Mumford, and Joseph Magani. Bradford Goalie Ryan Kiernan was solid in net.
Ajax and Bradford are now tied with one game apiece. Game 3 takes place in Ajax on Feb. 22. Game 4 will be back in Bradford at the BWG Leisure Centre on Feb. 23.
