OHL: Menard leads Battalion past Wolves 4-1; Brampton leads playoff series 1-0

Francis Menard scored and added two assists as the Brampton Battalion defeated the Sudbury Wolves 4-1 on Thursday to take a 1-0 series lead in their Ontario Hockey League first-round playoff series.

Barclay Goodrow scored the game-winning goal 41 seconds into the second period for Brampton, while Matt MacLeod and Dylan Blujus had its other goals. Patrik Machac chipped in with a pair of helpers for the home side.

Matt Schmalz had Sudbury's only goal.

MacLeod opened the scoring on the power play a little over three minutes into the game. That score held until Goodrow's goal early in the second period. Blujus scored with the man advantage to give the Battalion a 3-0 lead with less than two minutes to play in the second.

After Schmalz gave Sudbury some life two minutes into the third, Menard rounded out the scoring at the 8:30 mark of the final period, providing some added insurance.

Matej Machovsky stopped 17 of 18 shots for Brampton while Franky Palazzese allowed four goals on 27 shots.

Brampton went 2 for 3 on the power play, while Sudbury failed to capitalize on their two chances with the man advantage.

Game 2 goes Sunday afternoon in Brampton.

Elsewhere in the OHL it was: Sault Ste. Marie 1 Owen Sound 2 (OT); Mississauga 1 Belleville 8 and Kingston 1 Barrie 3.

Attack 2 Greyhounds 1 (OT)

(Owen Sound leads series 1-0)

At Owen Sound, Ont., Daniel Milne scored in overtime to give the Attack a 2-1 victory over Sault Ste. Marie. Game 2 is in Owen Sound on Saturday.

Bulls 8 Steelheads 1

(Belleville leads series 1-0)

At Belleville, Ont., Brendan Gaunce scored twice to lead the Bulls to an 8-1 victory over Mississauga. Game 2 of the series goes Saturday in Belleville.

Colts 3 Frotnenacs 1

(Barrie leads series 1-0)

At Barrie, Ont., Mathias Niederberger made 33 saves as the Colts defeated Kingston 3-1. Game 2 of the series is Saturday night in Barrie.