Blayne Rusland lifted the Mt.Brydges Bulldogs to a 7-4 victory with a hat trick against the Port Stanley Sailors.

Rusland got on the scoresheet 1:59 into the first period. He then added goals at 6:16 into the first and at 15:59 into the third.

The win gave Mt.Brydges a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series.

The Bulldogs pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 14 penalty minutes.

Mt.Brydges stifled Port Stanley's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The Bulldogs kept the Sailors' goalie busy throughout the game, and Josh Villani made 38 saves on 45 shots.

Mt.Brydges additionally got points from Billy Morris, who also registered one goal and two assists. Mt.Brydges also had goals scored by Carson Kennes and Aaron Ross, who scored two goals each. Other players who recorded assists for Mt.Brydges were Brody Smith, who had one, Cameron Jowett, who had two, and Trevor Smith, Alex Cox, and Antoine Brochu, who contributed three each.

Port Stanley put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Mt.Brydges to score on any of its 10 power plays. The Sailors forced the Bulldogs goalie Paul Town to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots.

Port Stanley was led by Ryan McDonnell, who finished with one goal and one assist. McDonnell scored 9:55 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Mt.Brydges. Ryan Vandenbroek picked up the assist. Port Stanley also got points from James McHugh, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Port Stanley included Zachary Zinga and Tyler Beaulieu, who each put in one. More assists for Port Stanley came via Tanner Turley, Alex Weaver, Jake Nurse, and Anders Adzija, who each chipped in one.

Paul Town made 28 saves for Mt.Brydges on 32 shots. The Sailors incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with nine minors.