Brantford Bulldogs D Adam Jiricek recorded his first two career OHL points in a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over the Barrie Colts on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Throughout the first period, Bulldogs G Ryerson Leenders saved all eleven shots, and Colts G Ben Hrebik stopped all thirteen in a nail-biting goaltending duel that kept the game scoreless through twenty minutes of play.
Early in the second period, the Bulldogs looked to capitalize on the man advantage. But they could not solve Hrebik and the penalty kill ranked second best in the Ontario Hockey League.
One notable highlight in the early stage of the period came in the opening seconds of the Brantford power play as Leenders robbed Barrie LW Beau Jelsma with the sprawling pad save.
After more than thirty-four minutes of scoreless hockey, the Bulldogs’ perseverance paid off. The goal came with 5:37 remaining as LW Nick Lardis received the pass from Jiricek and shot his signature one-timer up close for his 26th of the season. With the assist, Jiricek recorded his first career point in the OHL.
The Bulldogs dominated the Colts, outshooting them 23-8 in a very chippy second period and maintained a 1-0 lead.
In the third period, Leenders continued his strong playmaking, making several quality saves, including the tremendous pad save on Jelsma with less than three minutes left in regulation.
But Barrie got the equalizer over a minute later as the shot from D Kashawn Aitcheson went through the pads of the Brantford netminder for the tying goal and forced the game into overtime.
In overtime, the captain of the Brantford Bulldogs sealed the game just twenty seconds into the extra frame. A great setup by Jiricek and Lardis led to C Patrick Thomas striking paydirt on the one-timer past Hrebik. With the assist, Lardis tallied his 200th career point in the OHL.
Leenders received the first star of the game honour with his best performance as a Bulldog.
