Hamilton Battles Grand Rapids In North Division Semifinals This Week
April 13, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) closed out their regular season schedule last week and will now take on the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings) in the first round of the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs. With 102 points in 80 games and a record of 49-27-4-0 this season, the Bulldogs finished in second place in the North Division standings, four points ahead of the third-place Griffins (98 points in 80 games). The following is Hamilton's full first-round playoff schedule:
Game #1 - Friday, April 17th - 7:30 PM - Grand Rapids at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
Game #2 - Saturday, April 18th - 7:00 PM - Grand Rapids at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
Game #3 - Monday, April 20th - 7:00 PM - Hamilton at Grand Rapids (Van Andel Arena)
Game #4 - Wednesday, April 22nd - 7:00 PM - Hamilton at Grand Rapids (Van Andel Arena)
*Game #5 - Friday, April 24th - 7:00 PM - Hamilton at Grand Rapids (Van Andel Arena)
*Game #6 - Sunday, April 26th - 6:00 PM - Grand Rapids at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
*Game #7 - Monday, April 27th - 7:30 PM - Grand Rapids at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
* If Necessary
The Bulldogs went 3-0-0-0 this past week in their three games played. The 'Dogs opened their week on Wednesday, April 8th at Copps Coliseum defeating the Manitoba Moose 6-2. Hamilton continued its winning streak Friday, April 10th with a 3-2 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena. On Saturday, April 11th the Bulldogs closed out their regular season with a 2-1 overtime win against their archrivals the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum.
GET YOUR TICKETS!:
Hamilton Bulldogs tickets for the American Hockey League's 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now! Purchase your tickets at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at ticketmaster.ca, or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666.
WEEK IN REVIEW:
Wednesday, April 8 - MANITOBA MOOSE 2 @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS 6
Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON
Hamilton Goals: Ryan Russell (19), Mike Glumac (32). Brock Trotter (18), Chad Anderson (5), Ryan Russell (20), Yanick Lehoux
Manitoba Goals: Guillaume Desbiens (21), Pierre-Cedric Labrie (6)
Goaltending: Hamilton - Marc Denis (W - 25 shots, 23 saves) / Manitoba - Curtis Sanford (9 shots, 8 saves), Cory Schneider (L - 34 shots, 29 saves)
Power Play: Hamilton 3-10 / Manitoba 0-4
Attendance: 6,499
Friday, April 10 - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 3 @ GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2
Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
Hamilton Goals: Ben Maxwell (22), Mike Glumac (33), David Desharnais (23)
Grand Rapids Goals: Francis Lemieux (13), Jakub Kindl (6)
Goaltending: Hamilton - Marc Denis (W - 26 shots, 24 saves) / Grand Rapids - Jimmy Howard (L - 43 shots, 40 saves)
Power Play: Hamilton 0-3 / Grand Rapids Griffins 0-2
Attendance: 10,834
Saturday, April 11 - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 2 @ TORONTO MARLIES 1 OT
Ricoh Coliseum - Toronto, ON
Hamilton Goals: David Desharnais (24), Mathieu Carle (7)
Toronto Goals: Bates Battaglia (17)
Goaltending: Hamilton - Cedrick Desjardins (W - 25 shots, 24 saves) / Toronto - Adam Munro (L - 28 shots, 26 saves)
Power Play: Hamilton 0-2 / Toronto 1-3
Attendance: 5,733
BULLDOGS NOTES:
- With Friday's 3-2 win over Grand Rapids, the Bulldogs clinched second place in the North Division and home ice advantage in their first round series with the Griffins
- Bulldog RW Mike Glumac placed sixth in the league for top goal scorers with 33 markers in 66 games, and fifth in the league for point streaks with nine points (eight goals, one assist) in six consecutive games
- Hamilton D Yannick Weber came in ninth in the league for top scoring defencemen with 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 68 regular season games
- 'Dogs C David Desharnais finished third in AHL rookie scoring with 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists), followed closely by Hamilton C Ben Maxwell who placed fourth with 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists)
- The Bulldogs 49 wins ties a franchise record for most wins in season. The club earned 49 wins in the 2003-2003 season
UPCOMING GAMES:
UPCOMING GAMES:
NORTH DIVISION SEMI-FINALS - HAMILTON BULLDOGS (2) VS. GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS (3)
- This will be the first Calder Cup playoff meeting between the 'Dogs and Griffins in franchise history
- Grand Rapids finished third in the North Division with a record of 43-25-6-6
- Hamilton had a record of 4-2-0-0 against Grand Rapids during the 2008-09 campaign
- The Bulldogs are 25-14-1-2-4 in 46 all-time regular season contests against the Griffins
- Grand Rapids C Justin Abdelkader finished eighth in AHL rookie scoring with 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) in 76 games
- RW Darren Haydar led the Griffins with 80 points (31 goals, 49 assists) in 79 games, which placed him sixth in the league for point leaders, and tenth among top goal scorers
- Griffin D Garrett Stafford is eighth among AHL defencemen in scoring with 45 points (11 goals, 34 assists) in 70 games
- There are currently seven Ontario natives on Grand Rapids roster: C Cory Emmerton (St. Thomas), C Evan McGrath (Oakville), LW Ryan Oulahen (Newmarket), RW Darren Haydar (Toronto), RW Jamie Tardif (Welland), C Zack Torquato (Sault Ste. Marie) and RW Aaron Downey (Shelburne)
ALUMNI WATCH:
There are currently over 40 former Bulldogs in the NHL at this time. Over 60 percent of the players on Hamilton's all-time roster have played in a minimum of one NHL game. Three former Bulldogs head or assistant coaches (Doug Jarvis, Claude Julien, and Geoff Ward) are currently in a coaching capacity in the NHL. Here are a few highlights and accomplishments of ex-'Dogs from this past week:
- Montreal RW Matt D'Agostini potted two goals in the 4-5 overtime defeat to Boston (Apr. 9)
- Dallas C Steve Ott picked up four points last week with an assist against Minnesota (Apr. 7), and two goals and an assist in a 4-3 shootout loss to Anaheim (Apr. 10)
- Dallas C Mike Ribiero added three points with an assist against Minnesota (Apr. 7), and two more helpers against Anaheim (Apr. 10)
- Detroit D Dan Cleary picked up two assists with one against Nashville (Apr. 9), and another against Chicago (Apr. 11)
- Boston G Tim Thomas earned two wins this past week, stopping 35 of 39 shots on net against Montreal (Apr. 9), and 32 of 34 shots in a 6-2 victory over New York (Apr. 12)
TUNE IN TO Every Game on the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network:
Fans can listen to every 'Dogs playoff game on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, 'TALK 820'. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the 'AHL Live' or 'TALK 820' icon on the Bulldogs website. All post-season radio and online broadcasts will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to each scheduled game-time. Ellery Award-winning broadcaster Derek Wills calls the play-by-play of all playoff games, while Al Craig provides the colour commentary.
GET YOUR BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE AT THE "DAWG HOUSE":
Fans can purchase Bulldogs merchandise during all home games at the "Dawg House" store located behind section 114 on the concourse level at Copps Coliseum.
In the store, fans can find hats, t-shirts, jackets, replica jerseys, foam fingers, foam 'Bone Heads', and other select novelty items for sale.
BULLDOGS FOUNDATION:
Shawn Belle and Marc Denis were named as co-recipients of the Community Player of the Month for March. Throughout the season, Marc Denis has always made himself available to sign autographs, pose for photos and attend sponsored fundraising events. Shawn Belle has also dedicated his time to the Hamilton community by visiting schools and signing autographs on behalf of the Bulldogs Foundation.
HAMILTON BULLDOGS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Friday, April 17th - Grand Rapids Griffins at Hamilton Bulldogs - Copps Coliseum
Saturday, April 18th - Grand Rapids Griffins at Hamilton Bulldogs - Copps Coliseum
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