Bulldogs climb within five points of fourth place in North Division

January 24, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (18-18-5-4) will play three home games this week after completing a three game road trip, which saw the club earn five of a possible six points. The Bulldogs, who have 45 points on the season, trail the Edmonton Road Runners by just five points for the fourth playoff position in the AHL's North Division. The Bulldogs have played one more game than the Road Runners.

The Bulldogs will host the Rochester Americans twice this week - Wednesday, January 26th and Saturday, January 29th at Copps Coliseum. Game time for both games versus Rochester is 7:00 p.m.

Hamilton will also take on the Syracuse Crunch on Friday, January 29th in the Ninth Annual 'TD Canada Trust Smiles On Ice Game.' Proceeds from this game will go towards McMaster Children's Hospital. Game time on Friday at Copps Coliseum is 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs recently finished a three-game road trip, where they defeated the Chicago Wolves 6-3 at the Allstate Arena on Wednesday, January 19th, lost 4-3 in overtime to the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks on Friday, January 21st, and then finished the trip with a 4-3 shootout victory in Milwaukee versus the Admirals on Saturday, January 22nd.

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

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

Jan 19 at Chicago (W 6-3) - Hamilton jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but then trailed 3-2 after the first period. The Bulldogs scored four unanswered goals in the final frame. Gavin Morgan scored his first hat trick of the season and finished with four points on the night (3g,1a). Steve Ott collected one goal and two assists, while Jason Ward and Jonathan Ferland earned two assists each.

Jan 21 at Cincinnati (OTL 4-3) - Gavin Morgan opened the scoring with his fourth goal in two games followed by Corey Locke's 13th goal of the season. Philippe Plante scored in the second period to give the Bulldogs were a 3-0 lead. Cincinnati scored three goals in the third period to tie the game. Shane O'Brien scored the overtime winner to complete a four-goal comeback and give the Mighty Ducks a 4-3 victory.

Jan 22 at Milwaukee (SOW 4-3) - Rookie forward Andrei Kostitsyn scored his seventh goal of the year to open the scoring. Each time Hamilton scored in regulation time, the Admirals would come back to tie the game up. Eventually the game went to a shootout. Gavin Morgan scored a goal in regulation and another one in the shootout. Corey Locke and James Sanford scored the other two Bulldogs goals in the shootout. Yann Danis picked up his twelfth win of the season by making 37 saves. Danis' victory was also his first in a shootout.

Team Notes

The Hamilton Bulldogs have moved to within five points of Edmonton for the fourth and final playoff position in the North Division...The Bulldogs will play the next eight games against North Division rivals (4 vs. Rochester, 2 vs. St. John's, 1 vs. Syracuse, and 1 vs. Edmonton)...The Bulldogs have scored 20 goals in the last four games...recorded at least one point in last five games (3-0-1-1).

Gavin Morgan - After scoring first AHL hat trick and adding an assist in Chicago on Wednesday, Morgan has a three-game scoring streak (5g,1a). He is now seventh in team scoring with 17 points (7-10-17). Prior to Wednesday's game, the last time Morgan scored a goal was on November 2nd at Cleveland.

Steve Ott - Scored three points (1g,2a) against Chicago and added a goal in Hamilton's win against Milwaukee to finish the week with four points (2g,2a). Ott is now tied for second in team scoring with 27 points (12-15-27).

Jason Ward and Jonathan Ferland each earned three assists this past week. Both players notched two assists in the 6-3 win against Chicago. Ward added an assist in the 4-3 win against Milwaukee, while Ferland earned an assist in the 4-3 OT loss to Cincinnati.

UPCOMING EVENTS

'DOGS' LIFE' to Air Tuesday Live on CABLE 14 & 820 CHAM'

The DOGS' LIFE television show continues this week on Tuesday, January 25th at 7:00 p.m. The show will air live from Copps Coliseum on Hamilton's Cable 14 and 820 CHAM . Bulldogs fans are invited to be a part of the interactive studio audience.

DOGS' LIFE will be hosted by Bulldogs play-by-play announcer Derek Wills, and will feature Bulldogs reports and special guests. This Tuesday's guests will include Hamilton Bulldogs Assistant coach Ron Wilson, forwards Corey Locke and Steve Ott. Hamilton Spectator sports reporter Scott Radley will also be on hand to discuss the Bulldogs season.

Bulldogs fans unable to attend the show in person can send their questions via e-mail to dogslife@hamiltonbulldogs.com. Select questions will be answered on the show.

Wednesday, January 26th - 7:00 p.m. vs. Rochester McDonald's Night / ORVDA Giveaway / Winterfest '05

The first 1000 fans at the Bulldogs next home game on Wednesday, January 26th at 7:00 p.m. versus the Rochester Americans will receive a free sandwich coupon courtesy of McDonalds. Three lucky fans will also win a great prize courtesy of the Ontario Recreation Vehicle Drivers Association (ORVDA). During the second intermission, a group of randomly selected fans will compete in crazy competitions to take home one of two Panasonic portable CD/MP3 players or the grand prize of a Panasonic 20" TV/DVD/VCR combo unit. Iron Mike and Joe Cahill from 97.7 HTZ FM will also be on hand for the game and will be giving out great prizes to kick-off Winterfest '05.

Friday, January 28th - 7:30 p.m. vs. Syracuse - TD Canada Trust Smiles On Ice Game

The Hamilton Bulldogs in cooperation with TD Canada Trust and McMaster Children's Hospital have announced the Ninth Annual 'TD Canada Trust Smiles On Ice Game' will take place on Friday, January 28th at 7:30 p.m., when the Bulldogs host the Syracuse Crunch at Copps Coliseum. Proceeds from the game will go to "Smiles On Ice" in support of McMaster Children's Hospital. Fans can purchase tickets at area TD Canada Trust branches, Copps Coliseum Box Office, and at all Ticketmaster locations.

Saturday, January 29th - 7:00 p.m. vs Rochester - Tim Horton's Night

2,000 lucky fans attending the Bulldogs home game on Saturday, January 29th at 7:30 p.m. versus the Rochester Americans will receive a free Tim Horton's Calendar after the game. Randomly selected fans will also have a chance to win a great prize courtesy of Tim Hortons. Prizes include two home coffee makers and 26 toques.

UPCOMING GAMES

Wed., January 26th, 7:00 p.m. & Sat., January 29th, 7:00 p.m.- Rochester Americans @ Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are 2-2-0-0 versus Rochester this season...Americans goaltender Ryan Miller has two wins, a 1.47 goals against average, a shutout, 114 saves on 120 shots, and a .950 save percentage against the Bulldogs in four games this season...Forward Chris Taylor (11g, 16a) leads Rochester in scoring with 37 points in 43 games... Winger Thomas Vanek (16g, 11a) leads Rochester in goals and is tied for fourth in the AHL rookie scoring race with Bulldogs forward Corey Locke (13g, 14a), posting 27 points in 42 games

Fri. January 28th, 7:30 p.m. - Syracuse Crunch @ Bulldogs

This game will be the fourth of six meetings this season between the Bulldogs and Crunch, with Syracuse winning the season series 2-1 so far...Forward Mark Hartigan has three goals in three games versus the Bulldogs this season...Joe Motzko (13g, 14a) and Brad Moran (11g, 16a) are tied for the team scoring lead with 27 points each...Chris Ferraro (6g, 6a) has 12 points in 16 games since joining the Crunch on December 13, 2004

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 34

2. Corey Locke 24

3. Tomas Plekanec 23

4. Chris Higgins 22

5. Dan Ellis 15

6. Jason Ward 11

7. Steve Ott 8

7. James Sanford 8

9. Trevor Daley 6

10. Duncan Milroy 5

10. Philippe Plante 5

10. Gavin Morgan 5

13. Marc-Andre Thinel 4

14. Raitis Ivanans 3

15. Michael Lambert 1

15. Andrei Kostitsyn 1

HOMETOWN HERO OF THE GAME - LEADERS

(Hardest Working Bulldogs Player)

Player: Points:

1. Steve Ott 40

1. Trevor Daley 40

3. Chris Higgins 30

4. Jason Ward 20

5. Tomas Plekanec 10

5. Andrei Kostitsyn 10

5. Dan Ellis 10

5. Yann Danis 10

5. Gavin Morgan 10

5. Dan Jancevski 10

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Date Opp. Score GWG

Jan 19 @CHI W 6-3 Higgins

Danis (3GA, 7SV) - Ellis (0GA, 10SV) / Lehtonen (4GA, 31SV) ATTN: 3,903

Jan 21 @CIN OTL 4-3 O'Brien

Ellis (4GA, 27SV) / Bryzgalov (3GA, 5SV) - Cassivi (0GA, 13SV) ATTN: 3,612

Jan 22 @MIL W 4-3 (S0) N/A

Danis (3GA, 37SV) / Finley (3GA, 25SV) ATTN: 6,382

BULLDOGS WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Tues., Jan. 25 - 10:30 a.m. - PRACTICE - Copps Coliseum

Wed., Jan. 26 - 7:00 p.m. - Rochester Americans at Bulldogs

Copps Coliseum

Fri., Jan. 28 - 7:30 p.m. - Syracuse Crunch at Bulldogs

Copps Coliseum

Sat., Jan. 29 - 7:00 p.m. - Rochester Americans at Bulldogs

Copps Coliseum



American Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2005


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