OTTAWA (Interstat) — The Brantford Bulldogs will visit the Ottawa 67’s in minor league hockey action Friday at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario, with both teams looking to build momentum in the early part of their schedules. Brantford enters the game with a 10-4 record, while Ottawa is 8-5.

Brantford will look to Xavier Lieb to spark its offense. Lieb had a goal and an assist in the Bulldogs’ most recent game, a 4-2 loss to Brampton, and he has been involved consistently in the attack. He recorded an assist in an 8-2 win at Brampton and added an assist in a 5-2 win over the Soo Greyhounds. Lieb also scored in a 1-0 win over the Barrie Colts and put four shots on goal in an earlier meeting with Ottawa. In the loss to Brampton, Adam Nemec added a goal and four shots on goal, while Jack Good contributed an assist and four shots.

Ottawa will counter with Kohyn Eshkawkogan, who has been productive from the back end. Eshkawkogan had a goal and an assist in Ottawa’s most recent game, a 5-2 win over Brampton, and he also recorded an assist and five shots on goal in a 4-3 win at Brantford. He has added assists in recent games against Kingston, Oshawa and Niagara, and he registered multiple shots on goal in each of his past nine appearances. In the win over Brampton, Ondrej Ruml had a goal and an assist, while Spencer Bowes scored and recorded three shots on goal.

The teams have met once this season, with Ottawa earning a 4-3 shootout victory at Brantford. Lieb had four shots on goal in that contest, while Eshkawkogan finished with an assist, five shots on goal and two penalty minutes. Brantford is coming off the home loss to Brampton, while Ottawa will try to carry over the momentum from its victory over Brampton.

Brantford’s early results include an 8-2 win at Brampton and a 6-3 home win over North Bay. Ottawa has wins over Brampton, Erie and Oshawa this season, and it has dropped recent games to Kingston and Niagara. The matchup at TD Place will be the second meeting this season between the teams.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Ottawa 4, Brantford 3. Interstat’s ELO system gives Brantford a 56 percent probability to win. The over/under is 6.5.