Bulldogs Look To Lock-up Home-ice Advantage In Final Week Of Regular Season
Published on April 9, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens), who clinched a berth in the 2007 Calder Cup playoffs last week, turn their attention to securing home-ice advantage in the North Division Semi-Finals. The Bulldogs will wrap-up their home schedule with a pair of games against the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings) on Wednesday, April 11th and Friday, April 13th. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. at Copps Coliseum. The 'Dogs will then complete their regular season schedule with a two road games. First, the Bulldogs will travel to the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Griffins. Then Hamilton will close out the 2006-07 campaign at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester with a tilt against the Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers) on Sunday, April 15th at 6:05 p.m.
Hamilton posted a 1-2-0-0 record in three games last week. The Bulldogs lost 5-1 against the Syracuse Crunch (AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets) on Thursday night at Copps Coliseum before dropping a 2-1 decision on Friday night to the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena. On Saturday night, Hamilton rebounded with a 1-0 shootout win over the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum.
With 90 points in 76 games and a record of 41-27-3-5 this season, the Bulldogs are currently in third place in the North Division standings, one point behind the Rochester Americans (91 points in 76 games) and seven points ahead of the fourth place Grand Rapids Griffins (83 points in 76 games).
HAMILTON BULLDOGS CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCENARIOS (North Division Semi-Finals):
The Hamilton Bulldogs will finish in third place or higher in the North Division standings if (Scenario 1 or 2):
- The Hamilton Bulldogs gain one point or more in their remaining four regular season games
- The Grand Rapids Griffins fail to gain one or more points in their remaining four regular season games
The Hamilton Bulldogs will finish in second place in the North Division standings if (Scenario 2):
- The Hamilton Bulldogs win all four of their remaining regular season games (including a regulation win over the Rochester Americans on April 15th)
- Any combination of 10 or more points that the Hamilton Bulldogs gain and / or the Rochester Americans fail to gain in their remaining regular season games
The Hamilton Bulldogs will finish in fourth place in the North Division standings if (Scenario 3):
- The Hamilton Bulldogs fail to gain one or more points in their remaining four regular season games and the Grand Rapids Griffins gain eight points in their remaining four regular season games
Scenario 1: Rochester Americans (2) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (3)
Game #1 - Thursday, April 19th - 7:05 p.m. - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)
Game #2 - Saturday, April 21st - 8:05 p.m. - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)
Game #3 - Sunday, April 22nd - 6:00 p.m. - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
Game #4 - Tuesday, April 24th - 7:30 PM - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
Game #5 - Thursday, April 26th - 7:05 PM - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)*
Game #6 - Saturday, April 28th - 7:00 PM - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)*
Game #7 - Monday, April 30th - 7:05 PM - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)*
* If necessary
Scenario 2: Hamilton Bulldogs (2) vs. Rochester Americans (3)
Game #1 - Wednesday, April 18th - 7:30 PM - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
Game #2 - Friday, April 20th - 7:30 PM - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)
Game #3 - Saturday, April 21st - 8:05 PM - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)
Game #4 - Wednesday, April 25th - 7:05 PM - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)
Game #5 - Friday, April 27th - 7:30 PM - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)*
Game #6 - Sunday, April 29th - 6:05 PM - Hamilton at Rochester (Blue Cross Arena)*
Game #7 - Tuesday, May 1st - 7:30 PM - Rochester at Hamilton (Copps Coliseum)*
* If necessary
Scenario 3: Manitoba Moose (1) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (4)
T.B.A.
WEEK IN REVIEW:
Thursday, April 5th - SYRACUSE CRUNCH 5 @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1
Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON
Hamilton Goals: Eric Manlow (4)
Syracuse Goals: Andrew Murray - 2 (9), Curtis Glencross - 2 (22), Olivier Labelle (9)
Goaltending: Hamilton - Yann Danis (L - 12 shots, 8 saves), Philippe Sauve (12 shots, 11 saves) / Syracuse - Joel Martin (W - 34 shots, 33 saves)
Power Play: Hamilton 0-8 / Syracuse 2-6
Attendance: 4,019
Friday, April 6th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1 @ ROCHESTER AMERICANS 2
Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON
Hamilton Goals: Corey Locke (20)
Albany Goals: Mark Mancari (22), Michael Ryan (24)
Goaltending: Hamilton - Yann Danis (L - 30 shots, 28 saves) / Rochester - Adam Dennis (W - 21 shots, 20 saves)
Power Play: Hamilton 1-5 / Rochester 2-5
Attendance: 7,657
Saturday, April 7th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1 @ TORONTO MARLIES 0 (SO)
Ricoh Coliseum - Toronto, ON
Hamilton Goals: No scoring
Toronto Goals: No scoring
Hamilton Shootout Goals: Matt D'Agostini, Corey Locke, Kyle Chipchura
Toronto Shootout Goals: Colin Murphy, Brent Aubin
Goaltending: Hamilton - Yann Danis (W - 39 shots, 39 saves) / Toronto - Justin Pogge (SOL - 17 shots, 17 saves)
Power Play: Hamilton 0-2 / Toronto 0-3
Attendance: 3,595
AHL Standings
PLAYER TRANSACTIONS:
- LW Jimmy Bonneau was reassigned by Montreal (NHL) from Hamilton (AHL) to Cincinnati (ECHL) on Tuesday, April 3rd
BULLDOGS NOTES:
- With the 1-0 shootout win against the Toronto Marlies on Saturday night, the Bulldogs registered their 400th regular season franchise win
- Hamilton has the ninth best home record in the AHL with a 23-13-1-1 mark
- C Corey Locke set a career-high with his 20th goal of the season on Friday night
- RW Duncan Milroy returned to the line-up on Thursday against Syracuse after missing nine games due to injury. Milroy earned an assist and now leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 55 points (23-32-55)
- G Yann Danis earned his first shutout of the season on Saturday night in Toronto. The win was his 22nd of the season, tying him for 10th in the AHL
- D Dan Jancevski is tied for 10th in the AHL with a plus-21 rating in 76 games this season
UPCOMING GAMES:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11th - 7:30 p.m. & FRIDAY APRIL 13th - 7:30 p.m. - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - COPPS COLISEUM / SATURDAY, APRIL 14th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS @ GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS - 7:00 p.m. - VAN ANDEL ARENA
- This will be the last three games of the season between the Bulldogs and Griffins
- Hamilton has a record of 5-1-0-1 against Grand Rapids during the 2006-07 campaign, allowing only 10 goals in those seven games
- The Bulldogs are 14-11-1-2-1 in 29 all-time contests against the Griffins
- C Corey Locke leads Hamilton's attack against Grand Rapids with five points (1-4-5) in seven games this season
- G Yann Danis is 4-1-0 on the season against Grand Rapids with a .952 save percentage
- In 76 games, Grand Rapids has a record of 36-29-6-5, good enough for 83 points and 4th place in the North Division
- Grand Rapids centre Kip Miller leads the Griffins with 71 points (25-46-71) in 74 games
- Griffins goaltender Jimmy Howard is tied for third in the AHL in shutouts with six and has a .930 save percentage in four games against the 'Dogs this season
- Grand Rapids is 2-3-0-0 in its last five game
- There are 11 Ontario natives on the Griffins roster: D Kyle Quincey (Kitchener), C Cory Emmerton (St. Thomas), 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), and D Danny Syvret (Millgrove)
- Three Grand Rapids defencemen are former Bulldogs: Danny Syvret (2005-06), Dan Smith (2005-06) and Brad Norton (1998 to 2001)
SUNDAY, APRIL 15th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS @ ROCHESTER AMERICANS - 6:05 p.m. - BLUE CROSS ARENA
- This will be the last of 10 meetings between the 'Dogs and Amerks this season
- Hamilton has a record of 5-4-0-0 against Rochester during the 2006-07 campaign, averaging 4.5 goals per game
- The Bulldogs are 44-53-7-0-1 in 105 all-time contests against the Americans
- Jonathan Ferland (7-4-11) and Corey Locke (5-6-11) lead Hamilton's attack against Rochester through nine games this season with 11 points each
- In 76 games, Rochester has a record of 45-30-1-0, good enough for 91 points and 2nd place in the North Division
- LW Clarke MacArthur leads the Americans with 59 points (19-40-59) in 47 games
- D Brandon Smith is fourth among AHL defencemen in scoring with 43 points (9-34-43)
- RW Mark Mancari leads Rochester against Hamilton with 11 points (3-8-11) in eight contests
- The Amerks are 3-2-0-0 in their last five games
- There are five Ontario natives on the Rochester roster: G David Shantz (Hamilton), G Adam Dennis (Toronto), RW Greg Jacina (Guelph), RW Mark Mancari (London), and D Jeremy Swanson (Red Rock)
- Americans General Manager Jody Gage played for the Hamilton Fincups (1977-78)
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 (10-6-0) had 29 saves in recording his second shutout and earned an assist on the game-winning goal while being named the game's second star vs. Boston (Apr. 3) in a 2-0 win
- Montreal RW Michael Ryder (30-28-58) and C Chris Higgins (22-16-38) accounted for all of Montreal's scoring vs. Toronto (Apr. 7) in a 6-5 loss, Ryder was named the game's second star with a natural hat trick and one assist while Higgins added a pair of goals and an assist
- Islanders' D Marc-Andre Bergeron (14-32-46) recorded one assist in each of New York's final three wins including: a 3-2 shootout win vs. New Jersey (Apr. 8), a 4-2 win vs. Philadelphia (Apr. 7), and a 5-2 win vs. Toronto (Apr.5)
- Edmonton D Danny Syvret (0-1-1) recorded his first NHL-point by assisting on the game-winning goal vs. Calgary (Apr. 7) in a 3-2 win
- Dallas C Mike Ribeiro (18-41-59) had a goal and an assist vs. St. Louis (Apr. 2) in a 4-2 loss, and an assist vs. Columbus (Apr. 5) in a 2-1 overtime loss
- Columbus LW Jason Chimera (15-21-36) had a goal and an assist while being named the game's third star vs. Anaheim (Apr. 7) in a 4-3 loss, and assisted on the game-tying goal vs. Dallas (Apr. 5) in a 2-1 overtime win
- Edmonton RW Fernando Pisani (14-14-28) assisted on the game-tying goal vs. Calgary (Apr. 7) in a 3-2 win
- New Jersey C Jim Dowd (4-4-8) scored the game-winning goal shorthanded vs. Philadelphia (Apr. 5) in a 3-2 win
- Los Angeles G Mathieu Garon (13-10-6) had 24 saves vs. Phoenix (Apr. 7) in a 3-2 win
- Tampa Bay RW Jason Ward (8-11-19) had a goal vs. Florida (Apr. 6) in a 7-2 loss, and an assist vs. Carolina (Apr. 3) in a 3-2 win
- Toronto C Boyd Devereaux (8-11-19) had an assist vs. Montreal (Apr. 7) in a 6-5 win, and an assist vs. Philadelphia (Apr. 3) in a 3-2 win
- Chicago LW Tony Salmelainen (6-11-17) had an assist vs. Dallas (Apr. 8) in a 3-2 loss, and an assist vs. Detroit (Apr. 5) in a 3-2 shootout loss
- Detroit RW Daniel Cleary (20-20-40) had an assist vs. Chicago (Apr. 7) in a 7-2 win
- Montreal D Mike Komisarek (4-15-19) had an assist vs. Boston (Apr. 3) in a 2-0 win
- Washington D Bryan Muir (3-4-7) had an assist vs. Atlanta (Apr. 4) in a 3-2 win
- Anaheim D Francois Beauchemin (7-21-28) and Columbus D Ron Hainsey (9-25-34) each recorded an assist (Apr. 7) in a 4-3 Anaheim 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:
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 - 7:30 p.m. - Grand Rapids Griffins at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)
Friday, April 13th, 2007 - 7:30 p.m. - Grand Rapids Griffins at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)
Saturday, April 14th, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. - Hamilton Bulldogs at Grand Rapids Griffins (Van Andel Arena)
Sunday, April 15th, 2007 - 6:05 p.m. - Hamilton Bulldogs at Rochester Americans (Blue Cross Arena)
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
4. Jonathan Ferland 27
T-5. Matt D'Agostini 24
T-5. Andrei Kostitsyn 24
7. Corey Locke 21
8. Yann Danis 20
9. Kyle Chipchura 18
10. Ajay Baines 14
11. Dan Jancevski 11
12. Zack Stortini 9
13. Cory Urquhart 8
14. Eric Manlow 7
T-15. Philippe Sauve 6
T-15. Maxim Lapierre 6
T-15. Michael Lambert 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 100
2. Maxim Lapierre 80
3. Mikhail Grabovski 70
T-4. Andre Benoit 50
T-4. Corey Locke 50
T-6. Jonathan Ferland 40
T-6. Ajay Baines 40
T-6. Matt D'Agostini 40
T-6. Yann Danis 40
T-10. Jean-Philippe Cote 30
T-10. Dan Jancevski 30
T-10. Andrei Kostitsyn 30
T-13. Jaroslav Halak 20
T-13. Dov Grumet-Morris 20
T-13. Mathieu Biron 20
T-16. Troy Bodie 10
T-16. Zack Stortini 10
T-16. Duncan Milroy 10
T-16. Ryan O'Byrne 10
T-16. Francis Lemieux 10
T-16. Patrick Traverse 10
American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2007
- Griffins Control Own Destiny Entering Final Week - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Connecticut Whale
- Monarchs Report - Manchester Monarchs
- Canucks Re-assign Edler to Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Portland Pirates Weekly Report - Portland Pirates
- Sharks Eye Playoff Berth In Atlantic Division - Worcester Sharks
- Devils Make Roster Changes - Albany Devils
- Kings Assign O'Sullivan, Tukonen, Zeiler To Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Bacashihua, Backes, King and Polak Return from Blues - Peoria Rivermen
- Iowa Has Four-point Lead Going Into Final Week - Iowa Chops
- Rivermen Weekly - Peoria Rivermen
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Rochester announces playoff dates - Rochester Americans
- Monarchs Host A "Not So Ordinary Career Day" - Manchester Monarchs
- Playoff Races Heat Up As Season Winds Down - AHL
- Florida Returns Several Back To Rochester For Playoffs - Rochester Americans
- Oilers Send Zack Stortini Back To Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- San Antonio Rampage Week 27 Report - San Antonio Rampage
- Knights Announce Playoff Plans - Abbotsford Heat
- Albany River Rats Notebook - Albany River Rats
- Keane named winner of AHL's Fred T. Hunt Award - Manitoba Moose
- Moose's Keane named winner of AHL's Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award - AHL
- Sound Tigers To Hold Canned Food Drive April 14th - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bulldogs Look To Lock-up Home-ice Advantage In Final Week Of Regular Season - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Corey Named Marlies' 2006-07 Man Of The Year - Toronto Marlies
- Wellar, Wood, MacMurchy and Benson Return to ECHL Alaska - Peoria Rivermen
- Moose Clinch Their First Ever North Divison Crown - Manitoba Moose
- Carkner Wins Yanick Dupre Memorial Award - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Penguins' Carkner wins AHL's Yanick Dupre Memorial Award - AHL
- Iowa Stars Weekly - Iowa Chops
- Gilbert, Pouliot, Young Reassigned By Edmonton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Wolf Pack's Immonen named CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Crunch Announce Roster Moves - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolves Announce Dates For First Two Home Playoff Games - Chicago Wolves
- Norfolk Hits the Road to Close Out Regular Season - Norfolk Admirals
- Sipotz Named Wolves 2006-07 Dan Snyder Man of the Year - Chicago Wolves
- Sound Tiger Weekly News - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- B-Sens weekly - Binghamton Senators
- Final three home games this week - Houston Aeros
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.
