Dogs Look to Rebound

April 25, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs head into the week looking to extend their AHL North Division Semifinal best-of-seven series against the Rochester Americans. The Bulldogs host the Amerks in Game #4 of this series on Tuesday, April 26th at Copps Coliseum. The Amerks took a 3-0 series lead on Sunday afternoon with a 4-3 win over the Bulldogs. If necessary, Game #5 would take place on Friday, April 29th at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

BULLDOGS VS. ROCHESTER AMERICANS: AHL NORTH DIVISION SEMIFINAL:

GAME #1: Wed., April 20 - BULLDOGS 1 at ROCHESTER 3

GAME #2: Fri., April 22 - BULLDOGS 1 at ROCHESTER 2

GAME #3: Sun., April 24 - ROCHESTER 4 at BULLDOGS 3

GAME #4: Tues., April 26 - Rochester Americans at Bulldogs - 7:00 p.m. - Copps Coliseum

*GAME #5: Fri., April 29 - Bulldogs at Rochester Americans - 7:35 p.m. - Blue Cross Arena

*GAME #6: Sun., May 1 - Rochester Americans at Bulldogs - 4:00 p.m. - Copps Coliseum

*GAME #7: Mon., May 2 - Bulldogs at Rochester Americans - 7:05 p.m. - Blue Cross Arena

(Rochester leads best-of-seven series 3-0)

*if necessary

BULLDOGS VS. ROCHESTER AMERICANS - PLAYOFF TICKETS:

Individual Bulldogs playoff tickets are on sale now! Bulldogs fans can purchase their first round 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.

Ticket prices for the Bulldogs 'North Division Semifinal' are as follows:

Adults $23

Senior/Students $18

Kids (under 13) $15

BULLDOGS vs. AMERKS - NORTH DIVISION SEMIFINAL REVIEW:

Game #1 - April 20 at Rochester (1-3 L) Paul Gaustad scored two goals and goaltender Ryan Miller stopped 25 of 26 shots, as the Rochester Americans defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-1 at the Blue Cross Arena to take a 1-0 series lead. Antti Miettinen scored at the 15:56 mark of the first period for Hamilton. The Bulldogs lead held up until 9:16 of the third period when Norm Milley evened the score for Rochester. Gaustad scored two third period goals at 13:34 & 16:33 to give the Amerks the victory. Goaltender Yann Danis made 32 saves in the Bulldogs loss.

Game Notes:

Scoring: HAM - Miettinen / ROC - Gaustad (2), Milley Goaltending: HAM - Danis (L - 35 shots, 32 saves) / ROC - Miller (26 shots, 25 saves) ATTN - 3,807

Game #2 - April 22 at Rochester (1-2 L)

Chris Higgins gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead for the Bulldogs exactly two minutes into the game. However, Rochester responded in the second period with two unanswered goals by Paul Gaustad and Thomas Vanek, which eventually gave the Amerks a 2-1 win and a 2-0 series lead. Rochester goaltender Ryan Miller stopped 34 of 35 shots and Chris Taylor earned assists on both Amerks goals. Tomas Plekanec had an assist on the lone Bulldogs goal, giving him two assists in the series.

Game Notes:

Scoring: HAM - Higgins / ROC - Gaustad, Vanek Goaltending: HAM - Danis (L - 23 shots, 21 saves) / ROC - Miller (35 shots, 34 saves) ATTN - 5,817

Game #3 - April 24 vs. Rochester (3-4 L)

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead, as Chris Higgins scored a pair of goals and Jason Ward earned a single marker. Hamilton out shot the Amerks 19-12 in the opening frame. After no scoring in the second period, Rochester scored three consecutive goals in the third period and rallied for a 4-3 victory. Jiri Novotny earned his first two goals of the playoffs, including the game-winner. Rochester's other two goals came from Paul Gaustad and Brandon Smith. Neither team scored on the power play as Hamilton went 0 for 7, while Rochester was 0 for 5. Chris Higgins (3g,1a) and Tomas Plekanec (3a) have earned points in the first three games of the series for Hamilton.

Game Notes:

Scoring: HAM - Higgins (2), Ward / ROC - Novotny (2), Gaustad, Smith Goaltending: HAM - Danis (L - 30 shots, 26 saves) / ROC - Miller (29 shots, 26 saves) ATTN - 3,938

BULLDOGS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS - ALLTIME:

The Hamilton Bulldogs have won all seven of their first rounds in franchise history. Including the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, Hamilton has played a total of 35 opening round games, earning a record of 22 wins and 13 losses (.629)

BULLDOGS PLAYERS NOTES:

Chris Higgins - leads the Bulldogs with three goals in the playoffs

Tomas Plekanec - has earned one assist in each of the first three games of the series

Jason Ward - has recorded five shots on goal in each game



American Hockey League Stories from April 25, 2005


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