Brantford Bulldogs advance to round 2 of the OHL playoffs

Nick Lardis (16) and Cole Brown (92) on the ice for the Brantford Bulldogs. (Courtesy: Brantford Bulldogs/@@BulldogsOHL)

The Brantford Bulldogs defeated the North Bay Battalion at home Saturday night and secured their spot in the eastern conference semi-finals.

The Bulldogs went into Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead.

The team got off to a strong start with a goal from Nick Lardis just 2:13 into the first period, followed by another one from Lardis early in the second period.

North Bay responded with a goal of their own a few minutes later, but it would be their one and only for the match.

Owen Protz and Lardis got two more goals for Brantford in the second period, followed by one from Calvin Crombie in the third.

The Bulldogs won Game 5 with a final score of 5-1.

Brantford will play Oshawa in the semi-finals after the Generals won their best-of-seven series against the Brampton Steelheads on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs will host the first game at the Brantford Civic Centre on Thursday, April 10. Puck drops at 7 p.m.