Bulldogs Split Series with Barons

March 5, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


CLEVELAND, OH - The Hamilton Bulldogs scored three power-play goals and two shorthanded goals, as they defeated the Cleveland Barons 5-4 at National City Rink at Gund Arena on Saturday.

The Bulldogs rebounded for the victory, after losing 2-1 to the Barons on Friday night in Cleveland.

With the win, Hamilton improved their record to 25 wins, 24 losses, 6 overtime losses and 5 shootout losses. The Bulldogs now have 61 points on the season and are five points behind the Edmonton Road Runners for the fourth and final playoff position in the North Division.

For the second consecutive night the Barons opened the game's scoring. Craig Valette scored just 1:23 into the game to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead. Josh Prudden and Shane Joseph picked up assists.

The Barons went ahead by two goals 1:25 later on the power play when Cleveland's leading goal scorer Ryan Clowe earned his 19th goal of the season. Earning assists were Jim Fahey and Marcel Goc.

Chris Higgins got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard at 4:19 of the second period on Hamilton's first power play of the game. Tomas Plekanec and Ron Hainsey added assists on the goal.

The Bulldogs then evened the game 2-2 with a shorthanded goal at 7:42. Higgins scored his team leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season with a backhand shot that beat Barons goaltender Nolan Schaefer. Once again Plekanec and Hainsey had assists.

Cleveland and Hamilton would then trade goals to make the score 3-3. Christian Erhoff scored for the Barons at 12:28 and then Trevor Daley responded for Hamilton on the power play at 15:55.

With just 1:57 remaining in the second period, veteran forward Steve Begin scored his first Bulldogs goal to give Hamilton their first lead of the game. Antti Miettinen earned the lone assist on the goal.

Bulldogs defenceman Ron Hainsey gave the Bulldogs a 5-3 lead on the power play at 10:20 of the third period. Goaltender Dan Ellis earned his third assist of the season on Hainsey's goal.

Ryan Clowe scored for the Barons with just three seconds remaining in regulation time to round out the scoring.

Ellis stopped 31 shots to earn his eighth victory of the season. Nolan Schaefer made 22 saves and suffered the loss for the Barons.

Plekanec extended his consecutive game point streak to a Bulldogs season best six games. During the streak, Plekanec has earned two goals and six assists.

The Hamilton Bulldogs next action will take place on Sunday afternoon when they host the Edmonton Road Runners at Copps Coliseum. Game time is 4:00 p.m. Bulldogs fans can purchase their tickets at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (905) 527-7666 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.



American Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2005


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