The Bradford Bulls' 2025-26 campaign came to an end last night, as the high-powered Durham Roadrunners earned a 2-0 series sweep in the first round of the Russell Cup playoffs with an 8-0 win in Game 2 at the Bob Fallis Arena.

"Thinking ahead to next year, getting all our young guys these opportunities so they're ready to go and understand the level we want to achieve next year, this has been good," said Bulls head coach James McLean, whose young squad was always considered an underdog against Durham — the league's second-best offensive team during the regular season, and owner of the GMHL's best second-half record. "(Cameron) Nippard in net, (Noah) Crispo our mid-season acquisition, getting them into high-intensity games so they're more experienced for next season is a huge plus."

Three goals conceded in the opening five minutes of Game 1 in Durham set the tone for the rest of the series, which will go down as a learning experience for the Bulls.

"This is a terrific learning experience for our group, where they now know what it takes to compete for a Russell Cup — which we will, next season," summarized McLean.

Attention will now turn to building for the 2026-27 campaign, though not before the Bulls thank their graduating 2004-born players: Late season acquisition Lucas Dunne, assistant captain Chad Van Weelie, goaltenders Alex Rachel, Damien Daniels and Robbie Rautio, and blueliner Ilyas Hirji.