OHL Brantford Bulldogs

Bulldogs Burn Firebirds

December 19, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release


HAMILTON, ONT. - Trent Fox had three points for the Hamilton Bulldogs (13-17-3-0) as they defeated the Flint Firebirds (14-16-1-2) 4-2 in a meeting of the two newest teams in the OHL.

The last game before the holiday break would get off to a rough start for the Bulldogs as Firebirds forward Connor Chatham, standing at the doorstep of the crease, would jump all over a loose puck and put it behind Hamilton starter Charlie Graham. Chatham's tenth goal of the year would come at 4:23 and was assisted by Cullen Mercer and Hakon Nilsen.

It wouldn't take long for the Bulldogs to respond however. With the power-play quickly expiring Michael Cramarossa would deftly slide the puck over to Trent Fox, who was stationed at the side of the net, and he would snap it past Flint goalie Brendan Johnston for his eleventh goal of the season. Stephen Harper would also draw an assist on the power- play goal at 8:55.

Just under two minutes later it was Niki Petti who would beat the Flint defender out wide, cut in front of the net and roof a backhander past Johnston. Petti's ninth of the season would see assists from Matthew Strome and Ondrej Kachyna, who was playing his first game back with the Bulldogs after representing Team Czech Republic at the World Jr. "A" Challenge. The goal would come at 11:51.

Before an announcement could even be made on Petti's goal, Hamilton forward Cramarossa would tap in his ninth of the season off a Ben Gleason point shot. Fox would get his second point of the night on the goal at 12:24.

The second period would see several chances materialize by both teams but each goalie would stand tall throughout. Flint would end up outshooting Hamilton 9-6 in the period but the game would head into the third with the Bulldogs still holding a 3-1 lead.

The 'Dogs would finally get the insurance marker they were looking for at 5:53 of the third as Fox, with his second of the game, tipped home a Harper slap shot from just inside the blueline. Gleason would get his second point of the night with the secondary assist on the goal.

Flint would get one more goal before the game was out as a 3-on-1 break led to a one timer from Ryan Moore off a Will Bitten pass. Mathieu Henderson, from nearby Brantford, Ontario, would also get an assist on the goal at 19:28. The Bulldogs have now won two games in a row and have received points in six of their last seven games to pull into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We're in a situation where we have been able to get ten of our last fourteen points which is some big improvement over the way things have gone over the last fourteen games," coach George Burnett said. "We are a couple games above 500 and that shows progress. It's an important time of the year and the points at this time of the year they seem to be real helpful or those that get away from you seem to be real tough to lose."

Graham made 22 saves in the win, while Johnston made 18 saves in the loss.

The Bulldogs now go on a ten day holiday break before they return to action against these same Firebirds, this time in Flint. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29th at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center. The Bulldogs are next at home on Sunday, January 3rd when they welcome the Erie Otters to the FirstOntario Centre for the first time this season.

3 Stars

1-Trent Fox (2G, 1A)

2-Niki Petti (1G)

3-Charlie Graham (22 saves, W)

Dan Lawrie Premium Player of the Game (Hardest Working Player): Michael Cramarossa

For more information on Hamilton Bulldogs flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets call 1-866-DOGS-TIX (364- 7849) or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.

Listen to all Bulldogs regular season games live on Hamilton's AM 900 CHML, on 900chml.com or watch all home games and over 30 away games live in HD on Cable 14 or online or demand at cable14now.com.

Check out the Brantford Bulldogs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2015


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