Bulldogs to Battle Griffins at Home, Americans on the Road this Week

Published on October 17, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


After splitting two games in St. John's, Newfoundland against the IceCaps (American Hockey League affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets), the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) will return home this week for a game against their North Division rival the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings) on Tuesday, October 18th at 7:30 P.M. at Copps Coliseum. The `Dogs will then travel to Rochester, New York for a game against another North Division rival the Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres) on Friday, October 21st at 7:35 P.M.

The Hamilton Bulldogs spent their first road trip of 2011-2012 in St. John's, Newfoundland where they played two games against the IceCaps. The first game was on Friday, October 14th which was the IceCaps' first home game in their history and the first home game played in St. John's since the last home game of the Maple Leafs played during the playoffs on April 22, 2005. The `Dogs won the game by a score of 4-0 as Joonas Nattinen and Philip DeSimone both scored their first professional goals. Nattinen's goal ended up being the game-winning goal while DeSimone finished the night with two tallies. Nathan Lawson made 40 saves for his first ever shutout for the Bulldogs. Three of the four goals scored by Hamilton were on the power play while the `Dogs were eight for eight on the penalty kill. In the second of back-to-back games, the IceCaps were able to secure their first ever home victory by a score of 6-2. Carl Klingberg scored three goals for the `Caps while John Albert (0G, 3A), Jason King (1G, 1A) and Marco Rosa (1G, 1A) also had multi-point games in the win. Gabriel Dumont and Dany Masse replied with goals for the Bulldogs. St. John's goaltender Peter Mannino turned away 20 of 22 shots for the win.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:

Friday, October 14th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 4 at ST. JOHN'S ICECAPS 0

Mile One Centre - St. John's, NL

Hamilton Goals: Joonas Nattinen*, Dany Masse, Philip DeSimone (2)

St. John's Goals: None

Goaltending: Hamilton: Nathan Lawson (W- 40 shots, 40 saves) / St. John's: David Aebischer (L- 22 shots, 18 saves) Power Play: Hamilton 3-4 / St. John's 0-8

Attendance: 6,347* - Game Winning GoalSaturday, October 15th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 2 at ST. JOHN'S ICECAPS 6

Mile One Centre - St. John's, NL

Hamilton Goals: Gabriel Dumont, Dany Masse

St. John's Goals: Karl Klingberg (3), Riley Holzapfel*, Jason King, Marco Rosa

Goaltending: Hamilton: Nathan Lawson (L- 41 shots, 35 saves) / St. John's: Peter Mannino (W- 22 shots, 20 saves) Power Play: Hamilton 0-1 / St. John's 0-7

Attendance: 6,247* - Game Winning Goal

BULLDOGS NOTES:

In his seventh season with the team, captain D Alex Henry, who became the `Dogs all-time leader in games played last season, has now played in 415 games as a Hamilton Bulldog.

C Brock Trotter currently leads the AHL in power play assists with four in three games.

C Joonas Nattinen and C Philip DeSimone both scored their first professional goals on Friday's 4-0 victory over the IceCaps.

G Nathan Lawson recorded his first shutout with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the 4-0 victory in St. John's.

The `Dogs are currently ranked first in the AHL on the power play after with a 55.6% success rate.

The Bulldogs have successfully killed 90.0% of their penalties after three games and currently sit fifth in the league in penalty killing.

UPCOMING GAMES:

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 7:30 PM EDT - COPPS COLISEUM, HAMILTON, ONGRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS (1-2-0-0, 4th North Division, T-11th Western Conference, T-26th AHL) at

HAMILTON BULLDOGS (2-1-0-0, 2nd North Division, T-7th Western Conference, T-14th AHL)

This game marks the first of ten meetings between the two clubs this season

The Bulldogs played the Griffins six times in 2010-2011, and finished with a record of 2-4-0

The Bulldogs have a 31-20-1-2-4 all-time record against the Griffins

Chris Conner currently leads the Griffins in scoring with five points (0 goals, 5 assists).

There are currently three Ontario natives listed on the Grand Rapids roster: C Jamie Johnson (London), RW Trevor Parkes (Fort Erie), D Greg Amadio (Sault. Ste. Marie).

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 7:30 PM EDT - BLUE CROSS ARENA, ROCHESTER, NYHAMILTON BULLDOGS (2-1-0-0, 2nd North Division, T-7th Western Conference, T-14th AHL) at

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (2-1-0-0, 3rd North Division, 10th Western Conference, 18th AHL)

This game marks the second of ten meetings between the two clubs this season

The Bulldogs have a record of 1-0-0-0 against the Americans this season.

The Bulldogs have a 64-66-7-0-6 all-time record against the Americans

Zack Kassian currently leads the Amerks in scoring with five points (3 goals, 2 assists).

There are currently six Ontario natives listed on the Rochester roster: C Phil Varone (Vaughan), C Mark Voakes (St. Thomas), C Paul Szczechura (Brantford), RW Zack Kassian (Windsor), D Nick Crawford (Caledon), and D Drew Schiestel (Hamilton).

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:

Dallas C Mike Ribeiro recorded an assist vs. the St. Louis Blues (Oct. 13) and then added three more assists vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets (Oct. 15).

St. Louis F Matt D'Agostini scored a goal in games against the Dallas Stars (Oct 13) the San Jose Sharks (Oct 15).

Boston G Tim Thomas picked up a win against the Chicago Blackhawks (Oct. 15) stopping 27 shots.

Nashville F Sergei Kostitsyn picked up two assists last week. The first one was against the Phoenix Coyotes (Oct. 13) and the second was vs. the New Jersey Devils (Oct. 15).

Montreal C David Desharnais had a goal and an assist vs. the Volorado Avalanche (Oct. 15).

Montreal LW Max Pacioretty recorded an assist vs. the Calgary Flames (Oct. 13) while scoring a goal and an assist against the Colorado Avalanche (Oct. 15).

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. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the `AHL Live' or `820 CHAM' icon on the `Dogs 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 76 regular season games, while Al Craig provides the colour commentary for all home games and select road games.

GET YOUR TICKETS!:

Hamilton Bulldogs tickets are now on sale! Single game tickets for the 2011-2012 season (with exception of the January 21st outdoor game) are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 1-855-872-5000. Hamilton Bulldogs 2011-2012 season tickets and flex ticket packages are on sale! For more information, call 905-529-8500 or e-mail seasontix@hamiltonbulldogs.com.

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 October 17, 2011


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