BRANTFORD, ONT - Another season on home ice began for the Brantford Titans on Saturday as the Ayr Centennials came to town for the home opener. Adam Stipan was introduced pregame as the second captain in Brantford Titans history. This was a rematch of the 2025 Eastern Conference quarter finals where the Titans took down the Centennials in seven games. Brock Schaus got the start for the Titans while the Centennials countered with Cruz Reznik.

The Titans and Centennials would trade chances throughout the first period but neither side was able to find a way to break through. Each club would also get one chance on the power play but would each go 0 for 1. Shots after 20 minutes favoured Ayr 14-6.

The second period would roll around and the Centennials would find themselves in penalty trouble throughout the midway part of the middle frame. Will Ross, Lukas Marik and Ethan Stover would each head off to the box within a span of 4:52 leading to three Brantford power plays. At 5:15, Quinton Kim-Lemay would dangle around a couple defenders and find Kaleb Frank standing all alone in the left circle and Frank would make no mistake to give the Titans a 1-0 lead. Kim-Lemay and Scriven collected the assists. On their second power play of the period, it would be Kim-Lemay scoring his first of the season as he fired a wrister from the top of the right circle past Reznik to make it 2-0. Mason Takacs and Adam Stipan assisted on the goal. On their third power play of the period, Adam Stipan would finish off a beauty passing play by the Titans in the offensive zone as he was able to just slide it under the pad of the goaltender Reznik. Frank and Kim-Lemay assisted on Stipan's second of the season. Centennials would strike back however at the 15:22 mark of the period. Titans would take their 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Shots after 40 favoured Ayr 34-17.

The Centennials would get within a goal early in the third period as Braden Willsie let it fly from the point beating Schaus on the blocker side to make it 3-2. The Titans however would respond quickly. Matthew Aoun quickly off the draw from the left circle would beat the goaltender Reznik to get it back to a two goal lead. Centennials would storm back a collect the next two goals. Don Bristol just kept poking away at the loose puck in front of the net and was able to beat Schaus on the third try to make it 4-3 with 11:25 to play. With 2:34 to play, a bank pass from the Ayr zone would find the tape of Matthew Prendergast who streaked in all alone on Schaus and just snuck it five hole while also running into Brock Schaus on the play. Prendergast would tie it while Schaus had to be helped off the ice. James Gall would take over in goal for Brantford. The game would remain tied at the end of regulation and we would get some 3 on 3 overtime action for the home opener.

In the extra frame, we would see non stop action at both ends but neither goaltender would break. At the 4:18 mark of overtime, Lincoln Baker would get a pass in the slot area and he fired past James Gall to give the Centennials the win. Final shots favoured Ayr 58-26.

The Titans are back at it on Friday in Caledonia before traveling to Fort Erie on Saturday.

Brantford's next home game is on September 27th as they welcome the Lasalle Vipers to town. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00pm.

- Courtesy Reece Doumani