Bulldogs host Griffins, Americans and Marlies this weekend

Published on March 26, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) will battle three North Division rivals this weekend at Copps Coliseum. On Friday, March 30th the Bulldogs will take on the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings) at 7:30 p.m. Hamilton will then host the Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers) on Saturday, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. and the Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) on Sunday, April 1st at 4:00 p.m.

Hamilton posted a 1-1-0-1 record in three games last week. The Bulldogs split their two home games, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night before bouncing back to win 3-2 in a shootout over the Albany River Rats on Friday. The 'Dogs rounded out the week on Saturday night in Toronto, losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum.

With 84 points in 70 games and a record of 38-24-3-5 this season, the Hamilton Bulldogs are currently in third place in the North Division standings, one point behind the second place Rochester Americans (85 points in 70 games) and nine points behind the division leading Manitoba Moose (93 points in 71 games).

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Wednesday, March 21st - ROCHESTER AMERICANS 4 @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS 3

Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goals: Matt D'Agostini (20), Jonathan Ferland (19), Francis Lemieux (6)

Rochester Goals: Stefan Meyer (12), Patrick Kaleta (4), Marek Zagrapan (13), Dylan Hunter (7)

Goaltending: Hamilton - Philippe Sauve (L - 28 shots, 24 saves) / Rochester - Adam Dennis (W - 28 shots, 25 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 0-6 / Rochester 2-5

Attendance: 4,052

Friday, March 23rd - ALBANY RIVER RATS 2 @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS 3 (SO)

Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goals: Michael Lambert (10), Eric Manlow (1)

Albany Goals: Ryan Bayda (22), Pat Dwyer (15)

Hamilton Shootout Goals: Mikhail Grabovski, Corey Locke

Albany Shootout Goals: Keith Aucoin

Goaltending: Hamilton - Yann Danis (W - 19 shots, 17 saves) / Albany - Tyler Weiman (SOL - 35 shots, 33 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 1-6 / Albany 0-3

Attendance: 5,545

Saturday, March 24th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 2 @ TORONTO MARLIES 3 (SO)

Ricoh Coliseum - Toronto, ON

Hamilton Goals: Mathieu Biron (9), Eric Manlow (2)

Toronto Goals: Chris Harrington (10), Tyson Nash (15)

Hamilton Shootout Goals: Mikhail Grabovski

Toronto Shootout Goals: Colin Murphy, Brad Leeb

Goaltending: Hamilton - Yann Danis (SOL - 32 shots, 30 saves) / Toronto - Jean-Francois Racine (W - 32 shots, 30 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 2-7 / Toronto 1-5

Attendance: 6,930

AHL Standings

BULLDOGS NOTES:

- Hamilton has the seventh best home record in the AHL with a 21-11-1-1 mark

- On Friday night, C Ajay Baines (Mar. 23) and LW Eric Manlow (Mar. 11) were honoured in front of 5,545 fans at Copps Coliseum for reaching 500 career AHL games

- LW Eric Manlow, who had gone 48 games as a Bulldog without a goal, now has two goals in his last two games. Manlow is also on a three-game point streak (Mar. 21-24) with three points (2-1-3) in that span

- RW Matt D'Agostini is tied for 14th in AHL rookie scoring with 44 points (20-24-44), is third among AHL rookies with five game-winning goals, and is tied for 19th overall in the AHL with a plus-17 rating

- D Mathieu Biron played his 200th career AHL game vs. Rochester (Mar. 21) and is tied for sixth among defenceman in AHL scoring with 36 points (9-27-36)

UPCOMING GAMES:

FRIDAY, MARCH 30th - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - 7:30 P.M - COPPS COLISEUM

- This will be the seventh of ten meetings between the Bulldogs and Griffins this season

- Hamilton has a record of 4-1-0-1 against Grand Rapids during the 2006-07 campaign

- The Bulldogs are 13-11-1-2-1 in 28 all-time contests against the Griffins

- RW Duncan Milroy leads Hamilton's attack against Grand Rapids with four points (2-2-4) in four games this season

- In 70 games, The Griffins have a record of 33-26-6-5, good enough for 77 points and 4th place in the North Division

- Grand Rapids centre Kip Miller leads the Griffins with 66 points (24-42-66) in 68 games

- Griffins goaltender Jimmy Howard is tied for fourth in the AHL in shutouts with five and has a 1.60 goals against average in three games against the 'Dogs this season

- The Griffins are winless in their last six games, going 0-2-1-3 in that span

- There are 10 Ontario natives on Grand Rapids' roster: LW Ryan Oulahen (Newmarket), C Evan McGrath (Oakville), C Eric Himelfarb (Thornhill), RW Jamie Tardif (Welland), C Matt Ellis (Welland), RW Adam Keefe (Brampton), RW Darryl Bootland (Bradford), LW Jeff Campbell (Hensall), D Danny Syvret (Milgrove), D Kyle Quincey (Kitchener)

- Three Grand Rapids defencemen are former Bulldogs: Danny Syvret played for the 'Dogs in the 2005-06 season and collected 20 points in 62 games (0-20-20), Dan Smith was Hamilton's Captain during the 2005-06 campaign registering 16 points (0-16-16) in 69 games, and Brad Norton played for the Bulldogs from 1998 to 2001 amassing 44 points (9-35-44) and 352 penalty minutes in 144 games

SATURDAY, MARCH 31st - ROCHESTER AMERICANS @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - 7:00 P.M - COPPS COLISEUM

- This will be the eighth of 10 meetings between the 'Dogs and Amerks this season

- Hamilton has a record of 4-3-0-0 against Rochester in the 2006-07 campaign

- The Bulldogs are 43-52-7-0-1 in 103 all-time contests against the Americans

- Despite missing two of the eight games between Rochester and Hamilton this season, Duncan Milroy leads the Bulldogs against the Americans with 10 points (3-7-10) in six games

- In 70 games, Rochester has a record of 42-27-1-0, good enough for 85 points and 2nd place in the North Division

- Clarke MacArthur was recalled by the Buffalo Sabres on February 27th, making Janis Sprukts Rochester's leading scorer with 54 points (17-37-54) in 55 games

- Brandon Smith is fourth among AHL defencemen in scoring with 40 points (9-31-40)

- Mark Mancari and Janis Sprukts each have six points in six contests against the Bulldogs

- The Amerks are 4-1-0-0 in their last five games

- There are five Ontario natives on Rochester's roster: D Mike Card (Kitchener), G Adam Dennis (Toronto), RW Greg Jacina (Guelph), RW Mark Mancari (London), D Jeremy Swanson (Red Rock)

- Rochester General Manager Jody Gage played for the Hamilton Fincups (1977-78)

SUNDAY, APRIL 1st - TORONTO MARLIES @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - 4:00 P.M - COPPS COLISEUM

- This will be the 11th of 12 meetings between the Bulldogs and the Marlies this season

- Hamilton has a record of 5-3-1-1 against Toronto in the 2006-07 campaign

- The Bulldogs are 10-9-0-1-2 in 22 all-time contests against the Marlies

- Erik Westrum leads the Baby Leafs attack with 57 points (23-34-57) in 65 games this season

- Marlies LW Colin Murphy has 10 points against the 'Dogs this season (3-7-10) in 10 games

- In 69 games this season, Toronto has a record of 28-35-2-4, with 62 points and currently sit in sixth place in the North Division

- The Marlies are 4-1-0-0 in their last five games

- There are three Ontario natives on the Toronto roster: C John Mitchell (Waterloo), D Marc Moro (Toronto) and D Jay Harrison (Oshawa)

- Marlies Assistant Coach Joe Paterson was an assistant coach for the Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2002-03 season

ALUMNI WATCH:

There are 60 former Bulldogs who have participated in at least one game in the National Hockey League this season. Over 60 percent of all former 'Dogs have played in at least one NHL game. Here are a few highlights and accomplishments of ex-'Dogs from this past week:

- Montreal G Jaroslav Halak (7-4-0) has posted victories in his last four starts including: his first shutout with 30 saves while being named the game's first star vs. Boston (Mar. 20) in a 1-0 win, 32 saves vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win, and 27 saves vs. Washington (Mar. 24) in a 4-1 win

- Montreal LW Andrei Kostitsyn (1-9-10) is on a four-game point streak including: an assist on the game-winning goal vs. Boston (Mar. 20) in a 1-0 win, one assist vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win, and one assist vs. Washington (Mar. 24) in a 4-1 win

- Montreal C Maxim Lapierre (5-5-10) scored the game-winning goal vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win, and had an assist vs. Washington (Mar. 24) in a 4-1 win

- Columbus LW Jason Chimera (13-19-32) had a career-high three assists including one on the game-winning goal while being named the game's first star vs. St. Louis (Mar. 25) in a 4-1 win

- New Jersey C Jim Dowd (3-4-7) doubled his goal production with a pair of markers including the game-tying goal while being named the game's second star vs. Florida (Mar. 24) in a 4-3 shootout win

- Dallas RW Antti Miettinen (11-11-22) is on a four-game point streak that includes: one goal vs. Phoenix (Mar. 24) in a 4-3 shootout win, one assist vs. Anaheim (Mar. 23) in a 3-2 overtime win, and a goal vs. Los Angeles (Mar. 21) in a 4-2 win

- Tampa Bay RW Jason Ward (6-9-15) had the game-tying goal and an assist while being named the game's second star vs. the Islanders (Mar. 20) in a 4-3 overtime win, and a goal while being named the game's third star vs. New Jersey (Mar. 22) in a 3-1 win

- Montreal RW Michael Ryder (25-26-51) had a goal vs. Washington (Mar. 24) in a 4-1 win, and a goal vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win

- Dallas C Mike Ribeiro (14-37-51) had three assists while being named the game's second star vs. Phoenix (Mar. 24) in a 4-3 shootout win, and one goal while being named the game's first star vs. Los Angeles (Mar. 21) in a 4-2 win

- Montreal C Tomas Plekanec (19-27-46) had a goal and a pair of assists while being named the game's first star vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win, and a goal vs. Washington (Mar. 24) in a 4-1 win

- Edmonton LW Raffi Torres (14-19-33) had the lone goal vs. Vancouver (Mar. 19) in a 2-1 loss

- Montreal LW Christopher Higgins (20-15-35) joined the 20-goal club and then added three assists while being named the game's second star vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win

- Islanders' D Marc-Andre Bergeron (13-28-41) had the lone assist on the game-winning goal vs. Philadelphia (Mar. 24) in a 4-3 win

- Anaheim D Francois Beauchemin (6-19-25) assisted on the game-winning goal vs. Dallas (Mar. 23) in a 3-2 overtime win, and had an assist vs. Phoenix (Mar. 22) in a 2-1 loss

- Los Angeles G Mathieu Garon (12-9-6) had 26 saves vs. Chicago (Mar. 23) in a 2-1 win

- Montreal D Mike Komisarek (4-13-17) had an assist vs. Boston (Mar. 22) in a 6-3 win, assisted on the game-winning goal vs. Boston (Mar. 20) in a 1-0 win, and was named the game's third star vs. Washington (Mar. 24) in a 4-1 win

TUNE IN TO EVERY GAME ON THE HAMILTON BULLDOGS HOCKEY NETWORK:

Fans can listen to every 'Dogs game this season on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, 820 CHAM "The Legend." Fans can also listen to or watch every home and away game online at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com. To watch or listen online, click on the 'B2 Networks' or '820 CHAM' icon on the 'Dogs website. Ellery Award-winning broadcaster Derek Wills calls the play-by-play of all 80 regular season games, while Al Craig provides the colour commentary for all home games and select road games.

"B2 Power Play" packages are now available for purchase. They provide fans with a chance to watch every game of their favourite team, free access to the AHL Game of the Week and exclusive weekly highlights. And in addition to broadband viewing on personal computers, B2 Power Play will also be available on the new B2toGO network, allowing fans to watch American Hockey League games on cell phones and other wireless devices. A full season package costs $160 billed monthly at $20 per month or fans can pay for the season in full for $150. B2toGO, a service delivering live games and highlights to cell phones and hand-held Pads, are now available for purchase for a full season price of $56 over 8 instalments or $50 if paid in full. Fans who purchase "B2 Power Play" will be eligible to add "B2toGo" for only an additional $25.

GET YOUR TICKETS!:

Hamilton Bulldogs tickets are on sale now! Individual game tickets are available at Copps Coliseum Box Office (in-person sales only), all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.ca or at select Sports Obsession locations. For information on season or group tickets visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com, or call (905) 529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX.

HAMILTON BULLDOGS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:

Friday, March 30th, 2007 - 7:30 p.m. - Grand Rapids Griffins at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)

Saturday, March 31st, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. - Rochester Americans at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)

Sunday, April 1st, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. - Toronto Marlies at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)

MOLSON CUP - THREE STAR LEADERS:

(1st Star - 5pts, 2nd Star - 3pts, 3rd Star - 1pt)

Player: Points:

1. Duncan Milroy 37

2. Jaroslav Halak 36

3. Mikhail Grabovski 33

T-4. Matt D'Agostini 24

T-4. Andrei Kostitsyn 24

6. Jonathan Ferland 22

7. Corey Locke 21

8. Kyle Chipchura 17

9. Yann Danis 15

T-10. Zack Stortini 9

T-10. Ajay Baines 9

T-12. Dan Jancevski 8

T-12. Cory Urquhart 8

T-14. Philippe Sauve 6

T-14. Maxim Lapierre 6

T-14. Michael Lambert 6

T-14. Eric Manlow 6

T-18. Mathieu Roy 5

T-18. Andre Benoit 5

20. Dov Grumet-Morris 3

21. Francis Lemieux 2

22. Jan Hejda 1

PEARSON-DUNN PLAYER-OF-THE-GAME LEADERS:

(10 pts. - Hardest working Hamilton Bulldogs player)

Player: Points:

1. Kyle Chipchura 90

2. Maxim Lapierre 80

3. Mikhail Grabovski 70

4. Andre Benoit 50

T-5. Jonathan Ferland 40

T-5. Corey Locke 40

T-5. Matt D'Agostini 40

T-8. Andrei Kostitsyn 30

T-8. Jean-Philippe Cote 30

T-8. Ajay Baines 30

T-8. Dan Jancevski 30

T-12. Jaroslav Halak 20

T-12. Dov Grumet-Morris 20

T-12. Yann Danis 20

T-12. Mathieu Biron 20

T-12. Francis Lemieux 20

T-17. Patrick Traverse 10

T-17. Zack Stortini 10

T-17. Duncan Milroy 10

T-17. Ryan O'Byrne 10

T-17. Eric Manlow 10

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central