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Dogs pull within four points of final playoff spot

February 28, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (24-23-6-5) head into the week just four points behind the Edmonton Road Runners for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division. The Bulldogs have played in 58 games, two more than Edmonton (56 games). Hamilton has three divisional games this week, starting in Cleveland with back-to-back contests against the Barons on Friday, March 4 (7:00 p.m.), and Saturday, March 5 (7:00p.m.). The Bulldogs then return home on Sunday, March 6, to face the Road Runners at 4:00 p.m. at Copps Coliseum where they are currently 11th in AHL attendance, averaging 5,701 per game through 28 home games this season.

The Bulldogs earned four points in three games last week with two wins and a loss. Hamilton beat St. John's 4-3 on Wednesday, February 23, lost to Rochester 4-2 on Friday, February 25, and defeated Manitoba 4-2 on Saturday, February 26.

Bulldogs fans can listen to Derek Wills call all the action this week live on AM 820 CHAM, the Team 990 in Montreal, or on-line at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

Tickets are available for all upcoming home games at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster at (905) 527-7666.

For the most up-to-date information and statistics on the Bulldogs please visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

WEEKLY REVIEW

Feb 23 vs St. John's (W 4-3) - The Bulldogs scored two short-handed goals, one on the power-play, and another just one second after the Maple Leafs killed a penalty. Chris Higgins' short-handed goal was the team's 100th in franchise history. The Dogs are 3-4-1-1 against the Maple Leafs this season.
Game Notes:
Scoring: HAM - Daley, Higgins, Plekanec, Milroy / SJS - Ondrus, Williams, Bell
Goaltending: HAM - Danis (W - 36 shots, 33 saves) / SJS - Aubin (W - 30 shots, 26 saves)
Shots on Goal: HAM 30 / SJS 36
ATTN - 6,028

Feb 25 vs. Rochester (L 4-2) - Despite scoring two power-play goals, the Bulldogs four-game home winning streak was snapped. On the game, Hamilton went 2-6 with the man-advantage, Antti Miettinen had two points (1g, 1a) and Yann Danis made 33 saves in net.
Game Notes:
Scoring: HAM - Plekanec, Miettinen / ROC - Paetsch, Thorburn, Pominville, Taylor
Goaltending: HAM - Danis (L - 37 shots, 33 saves) / ROC - Miller (W - 23 shots, 21 saves)
Shots on Goal: HAM 23 / ROC 37
ATTN - 4,183

Feb 26 vs. Manitoba (W 4-2) - The Bulldogs handed the Manitoba Moose only their seventh road loss of the season. Chris Higgins posted his 18th goal of the season just 43 seconds into the game. Miettinen earned two assists while Chris Higgins scored two goals and was named first star. Nine different Bulldogs earned at least one point in the contest.
Game Notes:
Scoring: HAM - Higgins(2), Cote, Ott / MTB - Jaffray, Goren
Goaltending: HAM - Danis (W - 45 shots, 43 saves) / MTB - Auld (12 shots, 10 saves) / Flaherty (L - 21 shots, 20 saves)
Shots on Goal: HAM 33 / MTB 45
ATTN - 6,718


TEAM NOTES

- The Bulldogs are 5-2-0-0 in their last seven games
- Tomas Plekanec continues to lead the way offensively for the Bulldogs, leading the team in goals (22), assists (22), points (44), power-play goals (9), game-winning goals (5) and shots (192) in 58 games this season
- Hamilton is 15-0-0-0 this season when they score four or more goals in a game
- The Bulldogs hold a record of 3-2-0-0 when playing the third game in as many days this season
- Hamilton's special teams have scored six power-play goals and two short-handed goals in the last four games


BULLDOGS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Chris Higgins - Posted five points (3g, 2a) in three games last week. Higgins earned two short-handed points (1g, 1a) in the win against St. John's (Feb. 23) and notched two goals including the game-winner in the victory over Manitoba (Feb 26). Higgins has 11 points (6g, 5a) in the last 10 games.


DOGS WITH BITE

Yann Danis - Holds a record of 3-1-0-0 in his last four games, including two wins and a loss in three games last week. Yann made 43 saves on 45 shots and was named the game's second star in the win versus Manitoba on Saturday (Feb 26).

Antti Miettinen - Notched four points (1g, 3a) in three games last week. Miettinen earned one goal and one assist versus St. John's (Feb 25) and had two assists in the win against Manitoba (Feb 26).


UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, March 6th - 4:00 p.m. vs. Edmonton - Tim Hortons presents - "A Salute to Minor Hockey"
- Local minor hockey teams can call the Bulldog offices at (905) 529- 8500 and receive complementary tickets for their team
- Log on to www.hamiltonbulldogs.com to become a Bulldogs insider

Monday, March 14th - 7:00 p.m. Hamilton Bulldogs Youth Fund Skills Competition
- The first ever Hamilton Bulldogs Youth Fund Skills Competition will take place at the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre
- The Hamilton Bulldogs players will be split into two teams and will compete for bragging rights in six separate events including: Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, Accuracy Shooting, Breakaway Relay, Puck Control Relay, and Pass & Score.
- Tickets for the Skills Competition are $10 for General Admission. A portion of the proceeds from this event will support the Hamilton Bulldogs Youth Fund. Tickets can be purchased at the HCCC, at the Hamilton Bulldogs office by calling (905) 529-8500, or at Hamilton Bulldogs home games at Customer service behind section 116.


UPCOMING GAMES

Fri. March 4th, 7:00 p.m. and Sat. March 5th, 7:00 p.m. - Bulldogs @ Cleveland Barons
- Hamilton is 4-1-1-0 versus the Cleveland Barons (25-27-1-5) in six games this season
- Bulldogs leading-scorer Tomas Plekanec has recorded six points (2g, 4a) in six games against Cleveland this season
- In two games against the Barons this season, Bulldogs goaltender Yann Danis has two wins, a goals against average of 1.00 and a save percentage of .958
- Barons' defenceman Garrett Stafford leads the team with five points (2g, 3a) in six games against Hamilton this season

Sunday March 6th, 4:00 p.m. - Edmonton Roadrunners @ Bulldogs
- Hamilton is 4-2-1-1 versus the Edmonton Road Runners in eight games this season
- The Bulldogs won 7-4 in the last meeting between the two teams on February 11
- Bulldogs rookie Andrei Kostitsyn has 11 goals on the season, four of which have come against the Road Runners in seven games this season
- Despite playing in only five of the eight games between the teams this season, Kyle Brodziak leads the Road Runners with six points (1g, 5a) against the Bulldogs


HAMILTON BULLDOGS MOLSON CUP THREE STARS - LEADERS
(1st place vote - 5pts, 2nd place vote - 3 pts, 3rd place vote - 1pt)

Player Points
1. Yann Danis 45
2. Chris Higgins 41
3. Tomas Plekanec 32
4. Corey Locke 24
5. Dan Ellis 18
6. Jason Ward 15
7. Steve Ott 9
7. Duncan Milroy 9
9. James Sanford 8
10. Trevor Daley 6
10. Antti Miettinen 6
12. Philippe Plante 5
12. Gavin Morgan 5
14. Marc-Andre Thinel 4
15. Raitis Ivanans 3
16. Michael Lambert 1
16. Andrei Kostitsyn 1


HOMETOWN HERO OF THE GAME-LEADERS
(Hardest Working Bulldogs Player on Home Ice)

Player Points
1. Steve Ott 70
2. Chris Higgins 50
3. Trevor Daley 40
3. Tomas Plekanec 20
5. Jason Ward 10
6. Andrei Kostitsyn 10
6. Dan Ellis 10
6. Yann Danis 10
6. Gavin Morgan 10
6. Dan Jancevski 10
6. Raitis Ivanans 10

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