Is Matthew Schaefer the bonafide No. 1 overall pick in 2025? The Brantford Bulldogs capped off a three-win week with a 9-2 victory over the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday. Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/] prospect Nick Lardis and Jake O'Brien, who is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft scored a combined nine points in the win. Though Brantford dominated the scoreboard, the shots favored Sudbury 32-31 after 60 minutes. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCF46JaPz0E[/embed] Lardis' first goal came with just 15 seconds remaining in the first period. At the time, this goal gave Brantford a 4-2 lead heading into the intermission. Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/] prospect Nathan Villeneuve's goal later in the game would make Lardis' first goal the eventual game-winner. With three consecutive goals in the second period, Lardis completed a natural hat trick. He ended the game with four goals and one assist. The 2005-born forward is a well-documented scorer at the OHL level. The 81 points he's scored in 47 games this year puts him on pace to easily double the 50 points he scored in 37 games last year. The four goals scored against Sudbury also make Lardis the leading scorer in the CHL. Seeing as he now has 48 goals, it seems likely he will be the first CHL player to crack 50 goals this season. The playmaking O'Brien picked up assists on three of Lardis' goals before potting a goal of his own with under two minutes remaining in the third period. He finished the game with three assists and one goal. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkeH1-7jbS8[/embed] O'Brien sits third in scoring on the team with 68 points in 49 games. The 2007-born forward was named OHL Rookie of the Year last season and is listed eighth on NHL Central Scouting's North American 2025 Draft Prospects Rankings [https://www.nhl.com/draft/prospects]. The Toronto native is an elite playmaker who thrives when put in scenarios where he can set up his teammates. He also possesses a solid shot and good skating skills. The combination will make him a very attractive prospect come the 2025 NHL Draft. New year new me is an appropriate phrase to describe Brantford's performance since the start of 2025. The team's 11-3 record in that time has propelled them up the standings into the middle of a five-way battle for the top spots in the Eastern Conference. The victory over Sudbury continues the Bulldogs' success against the top teams in the East. Earlier in the month they beat Oshawa twice before taking down Niagara. Their only loss against a top-six team came against Barrie two weeks ago. The race is still tight and Brantford will need to stay sharp for the rest of the season. They currently sit third in the conference just one point behind the second Kingston Frontenacs. The Bulldogs' next matchup on Wednesday will also be a rematch against Sudbury. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
