Steelheads Earn First Win of the Season with 4–1 Victory Over IceDogs

Goaltender Zach Bowen shines with 19 saves as Brampton evens record in home opener.

September 19, 2025 Alwin Marshall-Squire Mississauga Steelheads, Sports 0

Brampton Steelheads players celebrate after defeating the Niagara IceDogs 4–1 in their OHL home opener at the CAA Centre. — Brampton Steelheads celebrate a 4–1 win over the Niagara IceDogs in their 2025–26 OHL home opener at the CAA Centre. (image source: X / @OHLSteelheads)

Brampton – The Brampton Steelheads bounced back in their home opener with a 4–1 victory over the Niagara IceDogs at the CAA Centre.

Brampton struck first with a shorthanded goal at 9:17 of the opening period when Julian Demiglio converted on a break, unassisted. The Steelheads extended the lead minutes later as Justin Bottineau found the back of the net off a setup from Mason Zebeski.

After a scoreless second period, Brampton put the game out of reach in the third. MacGregor Richmond scored at 1:26, assisted by Kieran Witkowski, and Matej Stankoven added another at 6:32 with David Green earning the helper. Niagara spoiled the shutout at 8:50 with a goal from Alexander Hage, but it was too late to close the gap.

Goaltender Zach Bowen was outstanding for Brampton, turning aside 19 of 20 shots for the win.

Home Opener W ✅

The boys kicked off the season with a 4-1 win at the CAA Centre! pic.twitter.com/QKGpIoQsjx

— Brampton Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) September 20, 2025

Player Spotlight

Zach Bowen (G) – The first star of the game, Bowen backstopped the Steelheads with 19 saves, holding Niagara scoreless until late in the third. His steady play anchored Brampton’s first win of the season.

By the Numbers

Shots on Goal: Brampton 34, Niagara 20
Power Play: Brampton 0/5, Niagara 0/7
Penalty Minutes: Brampton 24 (12 infractions), Niagara 18 (9 infractions)
Attendance: 2,005

Standings Update

With the victory, Brampton improves to 1–1–0 on the season, evening their record after two games.

What’s Next

The Steelheads travel to London to face the London Knights on Friday, September 26 at Canada Life Place. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

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About Alwin Marshall-Squire 15514 Articles

Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora. Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.