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Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly

January 21, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME SCHEDULE/BROADCASTS (All times EST)

Monday, January 21st at Rochester Americans, Blue Cross Arena, 1:05 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

Saturday, January 26th at Lake Erie Monsters, Quicken Loans Arena, 7:30 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

Record : 13-20-1-5, 32 points ... Home: 8-6-1-2, 19 points, Road: 5-14-0-3, 13 points ... Standings: 5th North Division ... 15th Western Conference ... Last 10 games: 2-5-0-3 ... Longest winning streak: 2 (Oct. 13-19, Dec. 8-11) ... Longest losing streak: 5 (Dec. 16-26) ... Leading scorers: C Gabriel Dumont (37 GP 12-11-23) ... C Michael Bournival (35 GP 3-10-13) ... D Nathan Beaulieu (38 GP 2-11-13) ... RW Patrick Holland (37 GP 5-6-11) ... Goaltenders: Cedrick Desjardins (18 GP 5-11-2, 2.88 GAA, .906 Save %, 2 SO), Robert Mayer (21 GP 8-8-3, 2.99 GAA, .898 Save %, 0 SO) ... Power play - Home: 9-for-70, 12.9 percent, 25th AHL ... Road: 7-for-91, 7.7 percent 30th AHL ... Overall: 16-for-161, 9.9 percent, 30th AHL ... Penalty killing - Home: 5-for-72, 93.1 percent, 1st AHL ... Road: 30-for-109, 72.5 percent, 30th AHL ... Overall: 35-for-181, 80.7 percent, 25th AHL ... Goals for per game: 2.10, 30th AHL ... Goals against per game: 3.15, 27th AHL

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (Affiliation: Buffalo Sabres) - Head Coach: Ron Rolston ... Record: 20-15-2-1, 43 points ... Home: 13-7-0-1, 27 points ... Road: 7-8-2-0, 16 points ... Standings: 4th North Division ... 8th Eastern Conference ... Leading scorers: RW Mark Mancari (38 GP 11-20-31) ... C Kevin Porter (38 GP 11-20-31) ... Leading goaltender: David Leggio (32 GP 19-12-1, 2.91 GAA, .913 Save %, 1 SO) ... Power play: 37-for-171, 21.6 percent, 2nd AHL ... Penalty killing: 25-for-164, 84.8 percent, 9th AHL ... Goals for per game: 3.37, 4th AHL .... Goals against per game: 3.11, 24th AHL ... Last game: Jan. 8 W 4-1 vs. Syracuse ... Last 10 games: 6-4-0-0 ... The Americans lost defenceman T.J. Brennan and forwards Marcus Foligno and Cody Hodgson to the Buffalo Sabres following the end of the lockout. That trio has combined for 81 points, including 29 goals ... Defencman Brayden McNabb and centre Kevin Porter have been chosen for the Western Conference team for the AHL All-Star Classic to be held at Providence, R.I. on Jan. 27-28. Porter has recorded one goal and six assists for seven points in six games against the Bulldogs this season ... David Leggio leads AHL goaltenders in wins (19), saves (982) and minutes played (1941:30). He has started the Americans' last 11 games ... RW Brian Flynn is eighth in rookie scoring with 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points. He has eight points, including four goals, in six games against the Bulldogs this season ... C Luke Adam has recorded two goals and four assists for six points in a five-game points run ... RW Mark Mancari has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points over his last 19 games. He has one goal in each of his last four home games ... D Nick Crawford has contributed three assists in a three-game points streak ... The Americans are sixth in power-play effectiveness at home having scored 20 goals in 92 opportunities (21.7 percent) ... The Americans boast the AHL's third-best penalty killing on home ice, with only nine goals allowed in 87 shorthanded situations for an efficiency rating of 89.7 percent ... The Americans have scored 48 second-period goals, three behind the league-leading Syracuse Crunch. The Americans have added another 45 in the third period, tied for third in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators ... The Americans are 10-1-0-0 when leading after the first period at home and undefeated in 10 games at home when holding a lead through 40 minutes ... Rochester averages 30.84 shots per game, good for 11th in the league while allowing an average of 33.53, 29th in the AHL ... The Americans are 10-6-1-1 against North Division opponents ... McNabb turns 22 on Jan. 21 ... The Americans are sixth in AHL attendance, averaging 6,770 fans for 21 home dates ... All-time series: 71-73-7-0-7 ... This season: Seventh of 12 meetings. Bulldogs lost the first two games, both at Rochester, falling 3-1 on Oct. 23 and 3-2 via shootout on Nov. 2. Bulldogs prevailed 4-3 at home on Nov. 3 and lost 4-1 to the visiting Americans on Nov. 14. Rochester posted a 2-0 win at home on Dec. 31 and beat the visiting Bulldogs 5-2 on Jan. 11. The Americans visit Hamilton on Feb. 18 ... First-round NHL picks: C Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo, 2012), D Mark Pysyk (Buffalo, 2010) ... Connections: Bulldogs D Kyle Hagel played three games for the Americans in 2008-09 ... Rochester D Drew Schiestel is a Hamilton native who played two seasons in the OHL for the Niagara IceDogs

LAKE ERIE MONSTERS (Affiliation: Colorado Avalanche) - Head Coach: Dean Chynoweth ... Record: 22-16-2-1, 47 points ... Home: 8-7-1-1, 18 points ... Road: 14-9-1-0, 29 points ... Standings: 3rd North Division ... 6th Western Conference ... Leading scorers: C Mike Sgarbossa (36 GP 14-18-32) ... LW Andrew Agozzino (41 GP 13-19-32) Leading goaltender: Calvin Pickard (23 GP 11-9-1, 2.78 GAA, .912 Save %, 3 SO) ... Power play: 33-for-180, 18.3 percent, 11th AHL ... Penalty killing: 34-for-184, 81.5 percent, 21st AHL ... Goals for per game: 3.12, 10th AHL ... Goals against per game: 3.05, 22nd AHL ... Last game: Jan. 19 W 4-2 at Syracuse ... Before entertaining the Bulldogs, the Monsters will host the Toronto Marlies on Thursday night in the opener of a five-game homestand ... The Monsters have won their last three games, all on the road, and collected five wins on a six-game road trip ... The Monsters lost three players to the Colorado Avalanche following the end of the NHL lockout: defenceman Tyson Barrie, LW Patrick Bordeleau and centre Mark Olver. The trio had contributed 14 goals and 42 assists for 56 points ... LW Andrew Agozzino and C Mike Sgarbossa have been named to the Western Conference roster for the AHL's All-Star Classic at Providence, R.I., on Jan. 27-28. Sgarbossa and Agozzino are second and third respectively among active rookie scorers in the AHL ... Sgarbossa has produced one goal and three assists for four points in his last two games. He is second in the AHL in shooting percentage with 14 goals on 56 shots (25.0 percent) ... Thomas Pock is among the AHL's highest-scoring defencemen with five goals and 18 assists for 23 points ... RW Bill Thomas has recorded five points, including three goals, in four games against the Bulldogs this season. He has five goals and four assists for nine points over his last six games ... LW Paul Carey has six points, including four goals, over his last six games ... The Monsters' 128 goals scored are fourth in the conference behind the Charlotte Checkers (132), Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies (129 each). Lake Erie has allowed 125 goals, fourth in the conference behind the Peoria Rivermen, Oklahoma City Barons and Rockford IceHogs ... The Monsters power play is 16th in the AHL at home with 14 goals in 86 opportunities (16.3 percent) ... The Monsters are 18th in the league in penalty-killing efficiency at home, having allowed 12 goals in 68 shorthanded situations (82.4 percent) ... The Monsters have allowed six shorthanded goals this season ... Lake Erie's five shootout wins are tied with the Peoria Rivermen and Worcester Sharks for most in the league ... The Monsters are 6-7-1-0 against North Division foes ... The Monsters are fourth in the AHL in attendance, averaging 7,243 for 17 home dates ... All-time series: 22-15-1-6 ... This season: Fifth of eight meetings. Monsters won the opener, 4-1 at Hamilton on Nov. 25. Bulldogs beat the visiting Monsters 1-0 on Dec. 11. Monsters prevailed 4-0 at home on Dec. 29 and earned a 3-2 win via shootout on Jan. 5. The Monsters host the Bulldogs on March 2 ... First-round NHL picks: C Joey Hishon (Colorado, 2010), C Brian Sutherby (Washington, 2000) ... Connections: Bulldogs HC Sylvain Lefebvre spent three seasons as a Monsters AC under current Avalanche HC Joe Sacco ... Bulldogs G Cedrick Desjardins played 32 games for Lake Erie last season

TRANSACTIONS

Jan. 17 - RW Ian Schultz reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) to Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)

Jan. 17 - F Riley Armstrong released from Professional Tryout contract

Jan. 17 - D Mark Isherwood released from Professional Tryout contract

INJURY REPORT

C Blake Geoffrion (depressed skull fracture, November 9th vs. Syracuse at Montreal) is out indefinitely ... C Joonas Nattinen (shoulder, Dec. 28 vs. St. John's) is out indefinitely ... RW Aaron Palushaj (shoulder, December 11th vs. Lake Erie) is out one week ... D Greg Pateryn (fractured elbow, November 2nd at Rochester) is day-to-day

PRACTICE/MORNING SKATE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Jan. 22: Off Day

Wednesday, Jan. 23: Practice - 11 am (Wave Twin Rinks - Red, Burlington)

Thursday, Jan. 24: Community Practice - 6 pm ((Market Street Arena, Dundas)

Friday, Jan. 25: Practice - 10 am (Wave Twin Rinks - Red, Burlington)

Saturday, Jan. 26: Morning Skate - 11:15 am (Quicken Loans Arena)

Sunday, Jan. 27: Off Day

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

January 15: at Abbotsford - Heat 3, Bulldogs 1

Defenceman Mike Matczak scored his first career AHL goal and added an assist to pace the Heat to a 3-1 win. Ben Walter opened the scoring for the home side on the power play at 19:26 of the first period. Tyler Murovich, making his Bulldogs' debut, tied the game on the power play at 10:44 of the second period, but Tyler Ruegsegger scored the winner 12 seconds later. Matczak closed the scoring at 5:54 of the third. Cedrick Desjardins, making his first start in five games, faced 36 shots in the Bulldogs' net while Danny Taylor made 14 saves for the Heat. Both teams were 1-for-3 on the power play.

January 16: at Abbotsford - Heat 2, Bulldogs 1 (SO)

Tyler Ruegsegger scored the deciding goal in a six-round shootout to lift the Heat to the win. Dustin Sylvester opened the scoring for the Heat on the power play at 12:55 of the first period, but Philippe Lefebvre tied the game with his first goal of the season at 2:08 of the third. Cedrick Desjardins made 26 saves for the Bulldogs, who failed to convert on four power-play chances. Danny Taylor faced 29 shots for the Heat, which was 1-for-3 with the man advantage.

January 19: at Hamilton - Marlies 3, Bulldogs 2 (SO)

Matt Frattin produced the decisive goal in a five-round shootout as the Marlies earned a 3-2 win before a sold-out crowd of 8,819. The Marlies, who outshot the Bulldogs 26-8 through the first two periods, took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Tim Connolly, who was making his AHL debut after 697 National Hockey League games, at 15:52 of the first period. Michael Bournival tied the game at 16:28 of the first and Joey Tenute's first goal as a member of the Bulldogs gave the home side the lead at 11:01 of the third period. Ryan Hamilton scored the equalizer at 18:10 with goaltender Mark Owuya on the bench for a sixth attacker. Cedrick Desjardins made 34 saves in a third consecutive start while Owuya faced 20 shots. The Marlies were 0-for-2 on the power play while the Bulldogs failed to convert on their only opportunity with the man advantage.

TEAM NOTES

The Bulldogs are 7-12-1-4 against North Division opponents and 10-15-1-5 against Western Conference foes ... The Bulldogs are 7-4-1-5 in one-goal games ... The Bulldogs are 8-0-0-0 when leading through two periods, joining the Texas Stars as the only AHL teams yet to lose when holding a lead through 40 minutes ... The Bulldogs' visit to the Lake Erie Monsters will mark the end of eight consecutive games against North Division foes. The Bulldogs are 1-2-0-3 in those games to date ... The Bulldogs' sellout against the Marlies brought their attendance to 107,503 through 17 home dates, an average of 6,324 a game, good for ninth in the AHL. The Bulldogs, who played a total of eight home games in December and January, play nine of their 12 February games at Copps Coliseum with a date against the Rochester Americans slated for the Bell Centre in Montreal on Feb. 22. Their two road games during the month are both at Toronto ... The Bulldogs' five shootout losses are second in the league behind the Albany Devils, who have lost eight shootouts ... The Bulldogs' 15 shots on goal in its opener at Abbottsford was one off their season low, produced in a 4-1 loss to the Syracuse Crunch at Montreal on Nov. 9 and matched in a 6-0 loss to the host Marlies on Jan. 2 ... The Bulldogs are the eighth-most penalized team in the AHL, averaging 19.72 penalty minutes per game ... The Bulldogs have only opened the scoring in nine games this season, by far the fewest in the AHL. The Bulldogs are 6-2-0-1 in those games ... The Bulldogs are 23rd in the AHL, averaging 28.67 shots per game. They allow 29.97 per game, 14th in the league ... The Bulldogs are unbeaten in regulation at home against the Marlies, having recorded three wins and one loss each in overtime and shootout.

PLAYER NEWS

RW Riley Armstrong played two games for the Bulldogs, recording three shots on goal ... RW Mike Blunden and RW Brendan Gallagher remain with the Montreal Canadiens ... C Michael Bournival also earned an assist against the Marlies for his third two-point effort of the season. He has 10 assists, one off the team lead held by C Gabriel Dumont and D Nathan Beaulieu. Bournival broke an 11-game points drought in that game ... Dumont, who missed two games while attending the Canadiens' training camp, has five points, including three goals, in his last five games ... G Cedrick Desjardins earned an assist on Bournival's goal against Toronto, marking the second game this season in which a Bulldogs goaltender has recorded a point. Desjardins has seven assists in his professional career. His start in the opener at Abbotsford was his first since a 6-0 loss to the host Marlies on Jan. 2. Robert Mayer had started the four subsequent games ... Gallagher is the Bulldogs' lone representative for the AHL's All-Star Classic, scheduled for Providence, R.I, on Jan. 27-28 ... D Mark Isherwood failed to record a point in two games, but scored on a shootout attempt at Abbotsford... F Tyler Murovich's goal at Abbotsford was his first in the AHL since Oct. 22, 2010 when he scored for the Springfield Falcons in a 6-2 win over the visiting Portland Pirates. He had scored 34 goals in 143 subsequent games with three ECHL clubs ... RW Ian Schultz produced two shots on goal in two games ... C Joey Tenute's goal against the Marlies was his first in the AHL since April 2, 2008 when he scored for the overtime winner for the San Antonio Rampage in a 3-2 decision over the host Milwaukee Admirals. Tenute, who has produced three points in four games, spent the following four seasons playing for clubs in Finland, Germany and Austria.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LW Kyle Hagel turns 28 on Jan. 21

C Louis Leblanc turns 22 on Jan. 26

D Frederic St-Denis turns 27 on Jan. 23

BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE

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. 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic gear will also be available for a limited time.

BULLDOGS HOCKEY HOUR AT MONTANA'S

The fifth instalment of the Bulldogs Hockey Hour will be held live on location at Montana's Cookhouse at 1508 Upper James Street in Hamilton on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7 p.m.

Fans can join Bulldogs play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills and colour commentator Al Craig as well as players and coaches as they review the past week of Bulldogs hockey and preview what's to come. The interactive setting will allow fans to ask questions, get autographs, win prizes and enjoy food and drink specials.

THE BULLDOGS ON THE AIR

Fans can listen to and watch all 'Dogs games on www.hamiltonbulldogs.com . Live coverage with the team of play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills (all home and away games) and colour commentator Al Craig (all home and select away games) will begin with the Pioneer Pre-Game Show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

All Bulldogs games are broadcast on www.AHLLive.com.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BULLDOGS

Fans can follow the Bulldogs online and watch game highlights, behind-the-scenes video and get breaking news and feature stories at HamiltonBulldogs.com. Fans can get the latest Bulldogs news and information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bulldogsAHL and follow play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills at www.twitter.com/dogsplaybyplay .

Fans can "Like" the Bulldogs' official face book page at www.facebook.com/hamiltonbulldogs and see game highlights and other video features at the Bulldogs' official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/bulldogstube .

TICKET INFORMATION

2012-2013 Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets, Pioneer Flex Pack tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For as little as $10 per game, you can enjoy the many benefits of being a 'Dogs season ticket holder including reserved seating for all home games at Copps Coliseum, the option to redeem unused tickets for any regular season game, discounts on team merchandise and access to exclusive season ticket holder-only events with the team. Convenient payment plans are available.

For more information on how to join our team by becoming a Hamilton Bulldogs season ticket holder, or for more information on Pioneer Flex Pack tickets or group tickets, call 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX, e-mail ticketing@hamiltonbulldogs.com or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com . 'Dogs single-game tickets are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or by calling 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX.

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