Bulldogs Win Four Of Five Games Last Week

January 7, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) will host three contests at Copps Coliseum in four days this week. Hamilton will clash with the Binghamton Senators (AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators) at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9th. The Bulldogs will then play back-to-back games against North Division rivals on Friday, January 11th versus the Syracuse Crunch (AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets) at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. when they take on the Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres / Florida Panthers).

Last week, Hamilton posted a 4-1-0-0 record in five games versus Western Conference opponents. The Bulldogs defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins twice this past week; recording a 1-0 shutout on Monday, December 31st at Van Andel Arena and posting a 4-1 win on Friday, January 4th at Copps Coliseum. The Bulldogs edged the Rockford IceHogs 2-1 at the Rockford MetroCentre on Wednesday, January 2nd, before splitting their two weekend contests against North Division foes. The 'Dogs dropped a 2-1 decision to the Toronto Marlies on Saturday, January 5th at Ricoh Coliseum, before scoring five unanswered goals to defeat the Lake Erie Monsters 5-1 on Sunday, January 6th at Quicken Loans Arena.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Monday, December 31st, 2007 - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1 @ GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 0

Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI

Hamilton Goals: Janne Lahti (5)

Goaltending: Hamilton - Jaroslav Halak (W - 22 shots, 22 saves) / Grand Rapids - Jimmy Howard (L - 33 shots, 32 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 1-3 / Grand Rapids 0-3

Attendance: 7,701

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 2 @ ROCKFORFD ICEHOGS 1

Rockford MetroCentre - Rockford, IL

Hamilton Goals: Matt D'Agostini (7), Mathieu Carle (3)

Rockford Goal: Troy Brouwer (16)

Goaltending: Hamilton - Jaroslav Halak (W - 36 shots, 35 saves) / Rockford - Corey Crawford (L - 18 shots, 16 saves)

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

Attendance: 1,945

Friday, January 4th, 2008 - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 4 @ GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1

Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goals: Corey Locke-2 (10), Greg Stewart (6), Ajay Baines (2)

Grand Rapids Goal: Darren Helm (4)

Goaltending: Hamilton - Jaroslav Halak (W - 25 shots, 24 saves) / Grand Rapids - Jimmy Howard (L - 28 shots, 25 saves)

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

Attendance: 3,641

Saturday, January 5th, 2008 - TORONTO MARLIES 2 @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1

Ricoh Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goal: Corey Locke (11)

Toronto Goals: Bates Battaglia (3), Robbie Earl (11)

Goaltending: Hamilton - Jaroslav Halak (L - 34 shots, 34 saves) / Toronto - Todd Ford (W - 15 shots, 14 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 1-3 / Toronto 0-2

Attendance: 6,423

Sunday, January 6th, 2008 - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 5 @ LAKE ERIE MONSTERS 1

Quicken Loans Arena - Cleveland, OH

Hamilton Goals: Jonathan Ferland (9), Eric Manlow (5), Jean-Philippe Cote (1), Ajay Baines (3), Corey Locke (12)

Lake Erie Goal: Vladimir Denisov (2)

Goaltending: Hamilton - Yann Danis (W - 23 shots, 22 saves) / Lake Erie - Tyler Weiman (L - 28 shots, 23 saves)

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

Attendance: 7,012

AHL STANDINGS

BULLDOGS NOTES:

- Hamilton G Jaroslav Halak was named Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 6, 2008. Halak posted a 3-1-0 record with one shutout in four games last week, allowing just four goals on 117 shots with a 1.01 goals against average and a .966 save percentage

- C Corey Locke tallied his first-career shorthanded goal on Jan. 4 vs. GRA (4-1 W). The shorthanded marker was the first of the season for the Bulldogs. Locke has also recorded goals in three consecutive games (Jan. 4-6) and has four tallies with an assist in that span

- LW Eric Manlow registered his 400th career AHL point with an assist on Jan. 4 vs. GRA (4-1 W). In 548 games in his AHL career, Manlow has 135 goals, 267 assists for 402 points

- RW Jonathan Ferland scored his 50th career AHL goal on Jan. 6 vs. LEM (5-1 W)

- G Yann Danis turned aside 22 of 23 shots to earn his fifth win of the season and 75th career AHL victory for Hamilton on Jan. 6 vs. LEM (5-1 W)

- RW Matt D'Agostini is on a team-high four game assist and point streak (Jan. 2-6) with five points (1-4-5) in that span

- D Mathieu Carle is also on a team-high four-game point streak (Jan. 2-6) with four points (1-3-4) in that span

- D Jean-Philippe Cote recorded his first goal in 64 games and first tally of the season on Jan. 6 vs. LEM (5-1 W). Cote's last goal came on February 9th, 2007 at Copps Coliseum against the Chicago Wolves

- Hamilton has now gone six-straight games without allowing a power-play goal, going 18-for-18 on the penalty kill during that span

BULLDOGS ALL-TIME SCORING LEADERS:

PLAYER GP G A P

1 Corey Locke 270 67 118 185

2 Brian Swanson 183 71 108 179

3 Tomas Plekanec 231 71 105 176

4 Peter Sarno 230 42 123 165

T-5 Jason Chimera 237 70 89 159

T-5 Duncan Milroy 301 67 92 159*

*Milroy is now tied for fifth Bulldogs' all time scoring list

UPCOMING GAMES:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9th, 2008 - BINGHAMTON SENATORS @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - 7:30 P.M. - COPPS COLISEUM

- This will be the third of four meetings between the two teams this season; Hamilton is 2-0-0-0 in two games against Binghamton so far this season

- The Senators are currently fifth in the North Division with a record of 16-16-3-2 in 37 games this season

- In 12 all-time games versus Binghamton, Hamilton holds a record of 7-2-1-1-1

- Senators winger Niko Dimitrakos is currently pacing Binghamton's attack with 26 points (11-15-26) in 32 games this season

- Forward Justin Mapletoft leads the Sens with two points (1-1-2) in two games against the 'Dogs so far in the 2007-08 campaign

- There are currently six Ontario natives on the Senators roster: RW Tyler Donati (Oakville), LW Danny Bois (Thunder Bay), D Greg Amadio (Sault Ste. Marie), D Matt Carkner (Winchester), D Derek Smith (Belleville), and G Brian Elliott (Newmarket)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11th, 2008 - SYRACUSE CRUNCH @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - 7:30 P.M. - COPPS COLISEUM

- This contest is the fourth of eight meetings between the two Clubs this season; Hamilton has dropped all three contests versus Syracuse on Oct. 19 (2-1 L), Nov. 2 (3-2 SOL) and Dec. 15 (9-2 L)

- The Crunch are currently in third place in the North Division with a record of 18-20-1-1 in 40 games this season

- Forward Derek MacKenzie currently leads the Crunch in scoring with 27 points (13-14-27) in 40 games this season

- Centre Derrick Brassard is currently tied for third in AHL rookie scoring with 5 goals, 20 assists for 25 points (5-20-25) in 21 games this season

- Forward Gilbert Brule recorded a hat-trick in his 2nd career AHL game Jan. 4 vs. ALB

- There are currently six Ontario natives on Syracuse's roster: C Zenon Konopka (Niagara Falls), LW Jeffrey Szwez (Etobicoke), C Derek MacKenzie (Sudbury), D Marc Methot (Ottawa), D David Cullen (St. Catharines), and G Adam Munro (St. George)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12th, 2008 - ROCHESTER AMERICANS @ HAMILTON BULLDOGS - 7:00 P.M - COPPS COLISEUM

- This week's contest is the sixth of eight meetings between the two Clubs this season; Hamilton is 1-2-0-2 against Rochester so far this season

- The Americans are currently in seventh place in the North Division and last place overall in the AHL with a record of 11-25-1-2 in 39 games this season

- In 111 all-time games versus Rochester, Hamilton has a record of 45-56-7-0-3

- Forward Mark Mancari leads the Amerks in scoring with 27 points (8-19-27) in 39 games so far this season

- Amerks forward Stefan Meyer is currently tied for 7th in the AHL with eight power-play goals this season

- There are currently five Ontario natives on Rochester's roster: LW Kenndal McCardle (Toronto), RW Mark Mancari (London), D Mike Card (Kitchener), D Peter Ashton (Toronto), and G Adam Dennis (Toronto)

ALUMNI WATCH:

There are over 60 former Bulldogs who have graduated to the National Hockey League. 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 C Tomas Plekanec earned four points last week, including a three point night in an overtime loss to Washington (Jan. 5), while adding a helper in a 6-3 win over Tampa Bay (Jan. 3)

- Montreal LW Christopher Higgins notched three points this past week all in one game, picking up a goal and two assists in the Canadiens 6-3 victory over Tampa Bay (Jan. 3)

- Edmonton C Shawn Horcoff registered three points last week with an assist in a 3-2 win at St. Louis (Jan. 2), and a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory versus the New York Rangers (Jan. 5)

- Columbus LW Jason Chimera recorded two points this past week, adding an assist in a 4-2 victory versus Edmonton (Dec. 31) and another assist in a 4-3 win at Los Angeles (Jan. 3)

- Montreal RW Michael Ryder picked up three points last week, recording two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win over Tampa Bay (Jan. 3)

- New York Islanders D Marc-Andre Bergeron posted three points this past week, tallying two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win at Carolina (Dec. 31). All three points came on the power play.

- Montreal LW Andrei Kostitsyn recorded two points last week, picking up the game winning goal over Tampa Bay (Jan. 3) and scoring a goal in a 5-4 loss to Washington (Jan. 5)

- Columbus D Ron Hainsey registered two points this past week, picking up a helper in a 4-2 win over Edmonton (Dec. 31), while adding another assist in a 3-2 loss at San Jose (Jan. 5)

- Edmonton C Jarret Stoll earned two points last week, notching an assist in a 3-2 victory in St. Louis (Jan. 2), while tallying a goal in a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers (Jan. 5)

- Montreal C Kyle Chipchura notched a goal in the Canadiens 6-3 win over Tampa Bay (Jan. 3)

- Edmonton G Mathieu Garon started three games this past week finishing with a 2-1 record, with a 3-2 win over St. Louis (Jan. 2) and a 3-2 shootout victory versus the New York Rangers (Jan. 5). Garon compiled a save percentage of .904 and a goals against average of 2.86

- Pittsburgh G Ty Conklin registered 3 wins last week, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in the inaugural Winter Classic Game (Jan. 1), before posting a 6-2 victory over Toronto (Jan. 3) and a 3-0 shutout against Florida (Jan. 5). For his efforts, Conklin was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week

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 'B2 Networks' or '820 CHAM' icon on the 'Dogs website. All regular-season radio and online broadcasts will begin with a pre-game show 20 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.

Don't miss any AHL action this season with the B2 Power Play Season Pass and B2toGo Mobile Highlights. Visit www.b2livetv.com today to purchase your Season Pass or Mobile Highlights.

GET YOUR TICKETS!:

Hamilton Bulldogs 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. For information on season or group tickets visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com, or call (905) 529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX.

BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE AT THE "DAWG HOUSE" STORE:

Fans can purchase Bulldogs merchandise during all home games at the new "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', Calder Cup championship collectables (such as card sets and t-shirts) and other select novelty items (watches, mugs, pucks, etc.) for sale.

HAMILTON BULLDOGS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. - Binghamton Senators at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)

Friday, January 11th, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. - Syracuse Crunch at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)

Saturday, January 12th, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - Rochester Americans at Hamilton Bulldogs (Copps Coliseum)

MOLSON CUP - THREE STAR LEADERS:

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

Player: Points:

1. Jaroslav Halak 29

2. Corey Locke 22

3. Maxim Lapierre 16

T-4. Janne Lahti 14

T-4. Matt D'Agostini 14

6. Duncan Milroy 12

7. Sergei Kostitsyn 8

T-8. Jonathan Ferland 5

T-8. Mathieu Carle 5

T-8. Eric Manlow 5

11. Yann Danis 4

12. Ryan Russell 3

13. Jean-Phillippe Cote 1

FLAMBORO DOWNS WORKHORSE OF THE GAME LEADERS:

(10 pts. - Hardest working Hamilton Bulldogs player)

Player: Points:

1. Jonathan Ferland 50

2. Yann Danis 40

T-3. Maxim Lapierre 30

T-3. Corey Locke 30

T-3. Greg Stewart 30

T-6. Ryan O'Byrne 20

T-6. Joel Bouchard 20

T-6. Duncan Milroy 20

T-6. Francis Lemieux 20

T-6. Mathieu Carle 20

T-6. Matt D'Agostini 20

T-12. Cory Urquhart 10

T-12. Cedrick Desjardins 10

T-12. Mathieu Aubin 10

T-12. Marvin Degon 10

T-12. Andrew Archer 10



American Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2008


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