With a 4-0-0 start, the Bulldogs lead the OLA East Conference in a number of offensive categories, averaging almost 15 goals scored per game, while individually Pat Saunders has already racked up 19 goals and 12 assists.

Halton Hills' head coach Blaine McCauley doesn't spend a lot of time discussing statistics, however, and while pleased with the play of his team so far, he pointed to Sunday's game against winless Mississauga as an example of the increasing parity in the loop.

The Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead over the now 0-6-0 Tomahawks in Clarkson Arena on Sunday afternoon, only to finish the first period tied at three. Five goals in seven minutes restored control for the 'Dogs en route to an 11-6 win, setting up a showdown with the 4-0-0 Green Gaels in Bowmanville on Thursday night.

"I look at how this league is balanced and there are no easy games out there. I don't think people realize that," McCauley said. "People might say that we haven't been tested yet. We can't worry about what people think, just show up and do what we're capable of and we'll continue to do well and get better each game."

Sunday's tilt included five more goals for Saunders and the return to the Bulldog lineup for goalie Mike Cregan, a local resident who spent last season with the Peterborough Jr. A Lakers. Cregan played for Halton Hills in the 2006 season and figures to share the current goaltending duties with Colton Horan.

Rookie Michael Lacata notched a hat trick versus Mississauga and Kyle Davis added a pair, with Kody Lyons also finding the net.

On Saturday night, a franchise-record home-opening crowd of about 700 spectators took in the Bulldogs' 9-7 victory over the Newmarket Saints, a contest that wasn't as close as the score indicates.

Halton Hills led 6-0 at the midway point of the game before the Saints showed some spark and outscored the hosts 4-3 in the final frame. Nic Grasby (2), Saunders (2), Davis (2), Chad Cummings, Evan Whillans and Licata were the Bulldog marksmen.

Thursday's trip to Bowmanville will be a rematch of last summer's OLA East finals, in which the Green Gaels swept the Bulldogs. The Green Gaels went undefeated through the entire 2007 campaign before falling to Six Nations in the provincial finals.

Also this week, the Bulldogs will host the Nepean Knights Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Alcott Arena.