Bulldogs earn first win of series with 5-4 victory
April 20, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
Grand Rapids, MI - The Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins 5-4 on Monday night. Ryan White scored the game-winning goal and earned an assist in the win for Hamilton as they cut Grand Rapids' lead to 2-1 in the seven game series.
The Bulldogs opened the game's scoring at 10:38 of the first period while on the power play. Mathieu Carle faked a shot at the right faceoff dot before feeding a pass to Yanick Lehoux. Lehoux fired the puck past Grand Rapids starting goaltender Jimmy Howard and into the top of the net.
The Griffins tied the game 1-1 at 19:35 of the first frame. Darren Haydar collected the puck before skating behind the net and sending a pass to Darren McCarty, who was stationed in front of the net. McCarty snapped a shot past a sprawling Hamilton starting goaltender Marc Denis. Haydar's assist was his 72nd playoff assist of his career setting a new AHL record for AHL career playoff assists.
Bulldogs captain Kyle Chipchura gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead at 3:38 of the second stanza. Ryan Russell fired a shot that was saved by Howard. The rebound bounced in front of the net and onto the stick of Chipchura, who banged the puck into the back of the net. Mike Glumac sent the puck to Ben Maxwell, who skated into the Griffins' zone. While defending against a Grand Rapids defenceman, Maxwell released a backhand shot that beat Howard over the left shoulder.
Grand Rapids cut the lead to 3-2 at 8:21 of the middle frame. Brian Lashoff skated in from the right point before receiving a pass from Haydar. Lashoff rifled a shot that sailed past the glove of Denis.
Russell gave the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead at 9:32 of the third stanza. White sent a pass to the right point where Chad Anderson was positioned. Anderson released a wrist shot that was tipped by Russell to beat Howard on the glove side.
While on the power play, The Griffins cut the lead to one goal at 13:56 of the final frame. Lashoff received a pass from Garrett Stafford before blasting a shot on net. Ville Leino redirected the shot past Denis for the goal.
White regained the Bulldogs two-goal lead at 17:17 of the third frame. White stripped the puck off a Griffins defender earning a breakaway. White used a forehand-to-backhand move before sliding the puck between the legs of Howard.
25 seconds later, The Griffins scored their fourth goal of the game to cut the lead to one goal. Haydar fired a shot that was saved by Denis. Denis could not control the rebound which Justin Abdelkader grabbed and fired past Denis.
The Bulldogs battle the Griffins in Game 4 on Wednesday, April 22nd for a 7:00 p.m. game in Grand Rapids. All home playoff games can be seen on Cable 14. Fans can listen to every âDogs 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 âAHL Live' or âTALK 820' icons 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.
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.
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