MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Arber Xhekaj scored 1:49 into the extra period as the Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Mississuaga Steelheads 3-2 Friday to complete a four-game sweep and advance to the OHL playoffs’ Eastern Conference final.
The Bulldogs, who entered the post-season as the overall top seed with a league-best 107 points, have yet to lose a game, going 8-0 while outscoring their opposition 38-15.
Mississauga carried a 2-1 lead heading into the second period as Zander Veccia and Aidan Prueter both scored.
Mason McTavish scored his ninth goal of the playoffs for Hamilton at the 1:03 mark of the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
Both goalies shut the door from there until Xhekaj scored early in overtime.
Steelheads netminder Joe Ranger stopped 31-of-34 shots while the Bulldogs’ Marco Costantini made 27 saves.
Hamilton will see the winner of the North Bay Battalion-Kingston Frontenacs series in the conference final.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2022.