Bulldogs Host Three Games At Copps Coliseum This Week

Published on February 7, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) will play host to three different opponents this week at Copps Coliseum. The Abbotsford Heat (AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames) will visit Hamilton on Tuesday, February 8th at 7:00 P.M. for the 'Dogs first game of the week. Following Tuesday's game, the Bulldogs will play in back-to-back tilts beginning Friday against the Connecticut Whale (AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers). Connecticut will make the trip to Hamilton for a 7:00 P.M. game on Friday, February 11th for the 'Dogs annual " Pink in the Rink" game at Copps Coliseum. The Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers) will battle in Hamilton for the final game on this week's schedule. The North Division rivals will take to the ice on Saturday, February 12th at 4:00 P.M.

Hamilton's first game of the week didn't come until after the 2011 AHL All-Star break, which two Hamilton Bulldogs participated in. Defenseman Mathieu Carle and goaltender Curtis Sanford played for the Western Conference in and 11-8 loss to the Eastern side. Carle finished the game with a team high +3, while Sanford made nine saves in his work between the pipes. The 'Dogs first game after the All-Star break came against the Grand Rapids Griffins on February 4th. The Griffins opened up the scoring in the first period with a goal from Adam Keefe. Grand Rapids took the 1-0 lead into the second frame, but at the 18:21 mark of the period Ryan Russell potted a goal to tie the game for the Bulldogs. A hard fought battle for both teams didn't see the tie score decided until Ryan White netted the winner at 14:35 of the third. The Griffins never responded, which gave Hamilton a 2-1 victory. The Adirondack Phantoms made a stop in Hamilton on Saturday, February 5th. Mike Testwuide of the Phantoms gave them a 1-0 lead scoring just three minutes into the game. Denis Hamel followed up the first goal with another one in the first, one in the second and an empty net goal in the final frame, giving him a hat trick. The final score was 4-0 in favour of the Phantoms.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:

Friday, February 4th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 2 @ GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1

Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI

Hamilton Goals: Ryan Russell, Ryan White*

Grand Rapids Goals: Adam Keefe

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (W- 25 shots, 24 saves) / Grand Rapids: Jordan Pearce (L- 35 shots, 33 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 0-3 / Grand Rapids 0-2

Attendance: 6580

* - Game Winning Goal

Saturday, February 5th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 0 vs. ADIRONDACK PHANTOMS 4

Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goals: None

Adirondack Goals: Mike Testwuide*, Denis Hamel (3)

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (L - 18 shots, 15 saves) / Adirondack: Michael Leighton (W - 20 shots, 20 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 0-2 / Adirondack 0-4

Attendance: 3430

*- Game Winning Goal

BULLDOGS NOTES:

- The 'Dogs rank in the top ten in both special teams categories. Hamilton's penalty kill is fourth overall with an 86.0% success rate and their power play sits sixth in the standings capitalizing on 21.1% of their chances with the man advantage.

- 30 of the 49 games played by Hamilton this season have been decided by one goal which equates to 61% of Hamilton's battles this season.

- G Curtis Sanford sits second in the AHL for goals-against-average with 1.74 and is second in save percentage with a .938SV% only behind Braden Holtby of Hershey who sits first in both categories. Sanford is also tied in first for the league lead in shutouts with five tying Barry Brust of the Binghamton Senators, Jake Allen of the Peoria Rivermen and Braden Holtby of the Hershey Bears.

- Hamilton is currently second in the league for average goals-against per game. The Bulldogs are averaging only 2.39 goals against per-game putting them only behind the Hershey Bears who have 2.37 goals-against-average.

UPCOMING GAMES:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS vs. ABBOTSFORD HEAT

7:00 PM EST - COPPS COLISEUM - HAMILTON, ONTARIO

- This will be the second of eight meetings between the two clubs this season

- The last time the two teams met was on December 1st when Hamilton topped the Heat 3-2 in shootouts

- Hamilton's all-time record against the Heat currently sits at 6-2-0-1

- Matt Keith (16G, 11A) leads the Heat in points with 27 points

- There are currently six Ontario natives listed on the Heat roster: RW Greg Nemisz (Courtice), C John Armstrong (Unionville), C Bryan Cameron (Brampton), D Chris Breen (Uxbridge), D Matt Pelech (Toronto), D T.J. Brodie (Dresden)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS vs. CONNECTICUT WHALE

7:00 PM EST - COPPS COLISEUM - HAMILTON, ONTARIO

- This will be the second of two meetings between the two clubs this season

- The last time the two teams met was on January 21st when Hamilton beat the Whale 7-3

- Last season the Bulldogs went 2-0-0-0 against the Hartford Wolf Pack who were renamed the Connecticut Whale on November 20th 2010

- Hamilton's all-time record against Whale currently sits at 8-3-0-0-0

- Jeremy Williams (23G, 18A) leads the Whale in scoring with 41 points

- There are eight Ontario natives currently listed on the Crunch roster: C Kris Newbury (Brampton), RW Jason Williams (London), C Oren Eizenman (Toronto), C Ryan Garlock (Iroquois Falls), LW Devin DiDiomete (Startford), C Todd White (Kanata), LW Justin Soryal (Newmarket) and G Cameron Talbot (Caledonia)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS vs. ROCHESTER AMERICANS

4:00 PM EST - COPPS COLISEUM - HAMILTON, ONTARIO

- This is the seventh of eight meetings between the two clubs this season

- The last time the two teams met was January 18th when Hamilton defeated Rochester 7-0

- The Bulldogs hold a record of

- Hamilton's all-time record against Rochester currently sits at 61-63-7-0-5

- Hamilton Head Coach Randy Cunneyworth served as the Rochester Head Coach from 2000-2008

- Michael Repik (8G, 32A) leads the Amerks in scoring with 40 points

- There are currently eight Ontario natives listed on the Americans roster: D Carl Hudson (Smooth Rock Falls), C Mike Duco (Toronto), C Chris Taylor (Stratford), LW Kenndal McArdle (Toronto), D Mike Kostka (Etobicoke), LW Eric Selleck (Spencerville), RW Kyle Rank (Elmira) and D Michael Caruso (Mississauga)

ALUMNI WATCH:

There are over 40 former Bulldogs currently on NHL rosters. 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:

- Boston G Tim Thomas is currently first among goaltenders in the NHL in goals-against-average and save-percentage. He holds a 1.80 GAA and a 0.945SV% against opposing teams. Thomas is also tied for first in the NHL with Henrik Lundqvist in shutouts with seven. He registered a 1-1-0-0 record this week against the opposition. He gained a victory against the Hurricanes winning 3-2 (February 1) and lost to the Sharks 2-0 (February 5).

- Montreal C Tomas Plekanec tallied three points this week against his opponents. He began by adding a helper in a 3-2 win against the Capitals (February 1), added a goal in a win versus the Panthers (February 2) and netted another beating the Rangers (February 5).

- Montreal D P.K. Subban supplied a goal and three assists for the Canadiens this week. Subban began the week by adding two assists in a contest against the Panthers (February 2), gained another in a 2-0 win over the Rangers (February 5) and in a loss to the Devils Subban netted a goal to give him his sixth of the year (February 5).

- Montreal LW Max Pacioretty added three assist to his point totals giving him 14 (6G, 8A) on the season. In a match-up versus the Panthers he picked up two assists (February 2) and added another assist in a 4-1 loss to the Devils (February 6)

- Columbus D Jan Hejda recorded an assist (February 1) against the Chicago Blackhawks and then followed that up with another assist in a 3-0 win over Detroit (February 4)

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, 'TODAY'S COUNTRY AM 820 CHAM'. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the 'AHL Live' or '820 CHAM' icon on the Bulldogs website. All regular-season radio and online broadcasts will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to each scheduled game-time. 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.

GET YOUR TICKETS!:

Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets, flex tickets, min pack tickets, group tickets and tickets are now on sale! Individual game tickets are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office (in-person sales only), all Ticketmaster outlets and online at ticketmaster.ca or call 905-527-7666. For information on season tickets, flex tickets, mini pack tickets and group tickets visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com, or call (905) 529-8500 ext. 179.

GET YOUR BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE AT THE " DAWG HOUSE" : 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2011


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