The Hamilton Bulldogs opened the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League season with an impressive 7-0 win over the Steelheads at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.

The Bulldogs took advantage of a depleted Mississauga line-up with seven Steelhead regulars still away at NHL camps.

Hamilton got off to a good start taking a 3-0 lead in the first period on two goals from Matt Luff and a single from MacKenie Entwistle. The Bulldogs dominated and had a 10-1 shot advantage at one point and finished the first period leading on the shot clock 15-9.

It was more of the same in the second period as the Bulldogs pumped in four more goals from Luke Kutkevicius, Niki Petti, MacKenzie Entwistle and Matt Luff.

Luff finished the game with 3 goals and an assist….about 24 hours after signing a three year entry level contract with the L-A Kings.

Mississauga outshot Hamilton in the second period 15-13 as the Bulldogs shot lead was cut to 28-24.

There was no scoring in the third period as the Bulldogs outshot the Steelheads 14-7 to finish with a 42-31 edge.

Along with solid games from Luff and Entwistle, defenceman Jesse Saban chipped in with three assists.

Goaltender Kaden Fulcher was solid in the Bulldogs net picking up the shut-out kicking out all 31 shots he faced.

The Bulldogs play their home opener Saturday night as they host the Kingston Frontenacs. Game time at FirstOntario Centre is 7 o’clock.