The Brantford Bulldogs began their 2026 playoff run in Brantford with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Sudbury Wolves on March 27, 2026. Playing at the TD Civic Centre, the Bulldogs established an early lead in the first-round series, marking the first time these two teams have faced each other in the playoffs.
Forwards Luca Testa and Caleb Malhotra powered the offense by each scoring two goals during the contest. The team also benefited from a penalty shot goal by Adam Benak, who fired the puck past Sudbury goaltender Paolo Frasca to extend the Bulldogs’ lead. Charlie Paquette also contributed significantly to the win with three assists.
The Bulldogs entered the post-season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, following a successful regular season where they finished with a 48-10-8-2 record and 106 points. This performance secured the team their first-ever back-to-back East Division titles. The roster features high-profile talent, including team captain Jake O’Brien, who set a new record this season as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Marek Vanacker also provided a strong offensive presence, leading the league in goals this season.
Goaltender Ryerson Leenders started the game for the Bulldogs and made several key saves to maintain the lead throughout the evening. The team continues to rely on a deep goaltending tandem that includes Leenders and David Egorov.
The franchise has become a fixture in the community since relocating to Brantford for the 2023-24 season. Following the team’s purchase by NHL player Zach Hyman in January 2025, a 15-year agreement was signed to keep the club in the city. The best-of-seven series against Sudbury continues with Game 2 on March 29, 2026, in Brantford.
