Dogs Clinch Playoff Berth
Published on April 13, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
HAMILTON, ON - The Hamilton Bulldogs clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division with a 4-3 win over the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday night at Copps Coliseum. Individual Bulldogs playoff tickets for round one of the Calder Cup Playoffs against the Rochester Americans will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday, April 14th) at 12-noon. Bulldogs fans can purchase their playoff tickets at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, at all Ticketmaster locations, on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca, or by calling Ticketmaster at (905) 527-7666.
The Crunch jumped out to an early lead just 18 seconds into the game when Mark Hartigan scored his team-leading 29th goal of the season. Hartigan had been out of the Syracuse line-up for the previous six games due to an injury before dressing for tonight's contest.
With two goals in exactly 3:00, the Bulldogs responded to take a 2-1 lead in the first period. Ron Hainsey tied the game 1-1 on the power play at the 6:31 mark. Then at 9:31, Tomas Plekanec went in alone on goaltender Karl Goehring and beat him with a high-backhand shot to give the Bulldogs a one-goal lead.
The Bulldogs increased their lead to 3-1 only 38 seconds into the second period when Hainsey scored his second goal of the night with a shot from the point. After the goal, netminder Andrew Penner replaced Goehring in net for the Crunch.
The Crunch came back with two goals in the second period to tie the game 3-3. At 1:43, Matthias Trattnig cut the Bulldogs lead to a single goal and Nathan Robinson tied the game at the 10:44 mark.
With the game tied late in the third period and needing a regulation victory to avoid elimination from the playoffs, Syracuse was forced to pull their goaltender in favour of the extra-attacker. Chris Higgins scored the game-winning goal into an empty Crunch net to clinch a playoff birth.
Setting two franchise records with his goal in the first period, Ron Hainsey became the all-time Bulldogs' points and goal-scoring leader amongst defenceman. Hainsey (18-49-67) surpassed former Bulldogs' defenceman Scott Ferguson (16-49-65) in goals and points, while also pulling ahead of blueliner Francois Beauchemin (16-48-64) in goals.
The Hamilton Bulldogs next home game is on Friday, April 15th against the Rochester Americans for their last regular season game of the year. Game time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available for purchase at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster at (905) 527-7666.
American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2005
- Dogs Clinch Playoff Berth - Hamilton Bulldogs
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- Monarchs Beat Pack; One Win Away From First-Ever Division Title - Manchester Monarchs
- Peter White Plays in 1000th Professional Game - Utah Grizzlies
- Sound Tigers Lose Road Finale 5-3 In Albany - Bridgeport Islanders
- Military Appreciation Night is Sunday - Houston Aeros
- Aeros reassign Heid to Pensacola - Houston Aeros
- Barons Announce Sunday Time Change - Cleveland Barons
- Grizzlies Make Several Roster Moves - Utah Grizzlies
- Crunch To Hold Post-Game Autograph Session, April 15 - Syracuse Crunch
- Monarchs Announce March Investing In Our Youth Winners - Manchester Monarchs
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Kesler nets pair in Moose win - Manitoba Moose
- Bourque wins AHL's Red Garrett Award - AHL
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