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Dogs tied for Final Playoff Spot

March 21, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (29-26-7-5) enter the week tied with the Syracuse Crunch (30-26-6-4) and the Edmonton Road Runners (28-26-4-10) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division. The Bulldogs (67 games) have a game-in-hand on the Road Runners (68 games), but have played in one more contest than the Crunch (66 games).

Hamilton has three games this week, starting at home on Wednesday, March 23rd, when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:00 p.m. The Bulldogs will then travel to Edmonton for two games against the Road Runners at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, March 25th, followed by a rematch on Saturday, March 26th, at 4:00 p.m.

The Bulldogs recorded three of a possible four points last week in two games during their last regular season trip ever to St. John's. Hamilton lost to the Leafs 4-3 in overtime on Friday, March 18th, and then beat them 2-0 the next night on Saturday, March 19th. The Maple Leafs will move their AHL team to Toronto next season.

Bulldogs fans can purchase tickets for all remaining home games at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (905) 527-7666 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Bulldogs fans can listen to Derek Wills call all the action on 820 CHAM 'The Legend' in Hamilton, the Team 990 in Montreal, or on-line at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

For the most up-to-date information and statistics on the Bulldogs please visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

WEEKLY REVIEW

Mar 18 at St. John's (OTL 4-3) - Despite out-shooting St. John's 41-26, Hamilton was handed a 4-3 overtime loss, but not before coming away with a single point for the regulation tie. The Bulldogs came from behind in the third period when Steve Begin tied the game 3-3 to send the contest to overtime. In the extra-frame, newly acquired defenceman Joel Kwiatkowski scored to give St. John's their 39th win of the season. Leafs goaltender Mikael Tellqvist stopped 38 of the 41 shots he faced.
Game Notes:
Scoring: HAM - Higgins, Daley, Begin / SJS - Leeb, Wellwood (2), Kwiatkowski
Goaltending: HAM - Danis (L - 26 shots, 22 saves) / SJS - Tellqvist (W - 41 shots, 38 saves)
Shots on Goal: HAM 41 / SJS 26
ATTN - 5,252

Mar 19 at St. John's (W 2-0) - Yann Danis made 23 saves, earning his 21st win and fourth shutout of the season as the Bulldogs stymied the Maple Leafs 2-0. Defenceman Ron Hainsey factored in on both of Hamilton's scoring plays, posting a goal and an assist in the game. Chris Higgins added an empty net goal late in the third period to seal the victory.
Game Notes:
Scoring: HAM - Hainsey, Higgins / SJS - (no scoring)
Goaltending: HAM - Danis (W - 23 shots, 23 saves) / SJS - Tellqvist (L - 24 shots, 23 saves)
Shots on Goal: HAM 25 / SJS 23
ATTN - 6,081


TEAM NOTES

- The Bulldogs are 6-3-1-0 in their last ten games and 9-2-1-0 in their last eleven divisional games.
- Forward Chris Higgins has 11 points (8g, 3a) in his last ten games.
- Ron Hainsey leads all Bulldogs defenceman with 7 points (3g, 4a) in his last ten games.
- Captain Jason Ward (1g, 2a) is on a three game point streak.
- Yann Danis needs one more shutout this season to tie former netminder Eric Heffler for the most shutouts in one season by a Bulldogs goaltender. Heffler set the record with five shutouts in the 1999-2000 season.
- Defenseman Dan Jancevski played in his 300th AHL game on March 19th, verses the St. John's Maple Leafs.


DOGS WITH BITE

Ron Hainsey - Tallied the game-winning goal and added an assist during the Bulldogs 2-0 win on Saturday, March 19th, against the St. John's Maple Leafs.

Yann Danis - Recorded his 21st win and fourth shutout of the season and was named the game's first star against the Maple Leafs on Saturday March 19th.

Chris Higgins - Posted two goals in two games last week. Higgins scored the first goal of the game against the Leafs on Friday, March 18th, in a 4-3 overtime loss, and registered the empty net goal the following night to seal a 2-0 win over St. John's.

Gavin Morgan - Notched two assists in the 4-3 overtime loss against the Leafs on Friday, March 18th.


UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, March 23rd - 7:00pm vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - Oldies 1150 Night

Wednesday, March 30th - 7:00 pm vs. Manitoba Moose - The Hamilton Bulldogs Two Millionth Fan Night
- The Hamilton Bulldogs will welcome their Two Millionth Fan through the turnstiles of Copps Coliseum at this game.
- The Bulldogs will be giving away $20,000 worth of prizing to fans in attendance at the game.

Friday, April 1st - 7:30 pm vs. St. John's Maple Leafs - Pizza Pizza Presents: Newfoundland Night
- The first 2,500 fans will receive an Andre Kostitsyn Pizza Pizza Bandana
- Smirnoff Spin the Bottle Promotion: Fans 19 or older can win a special Smirnoff prize when the bottle lands on their section.
- Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy food, beverages, and sounds of Newfoundland as the St. John's Maple Leafs make their 100th and final appearance at Copps Coliseum.
- Upper bowl tickets are on sale for 14 dollars in support of CITY KIDZ. Tickets can be purchased at 17 different organizations throughout the Hamilton area.

On-line Auction: Autographed Game-Worn Hometown Hero Jerseys
- Go on-line now at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com to enter the Hamilton Bulldogs on-line auction for autographed Hometown Hero jerseys, featuring Jason Ward, Tomas Plekanec and Chris Higgins.


UPCOMING GAMES

Wed. March 23rd, 7:00 p.m. - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins @ Bulldogs
- Hamilton is 0-1-0-0 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (33-20-6-6) so far this season.
- The Penguins won the only meeting this season 6-1 on Nov. 21st at the Wachovia Arena.
- Tomas Plekanec leads the Bulldogs in scoring with seven points (3g, 4a) in seven games versus teams from the East Division.
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has outscored their opponents 72-59 in third periods through 65 games this season.

Fri. March 25th, 9:00 p.m. & Sat. March 26th, 4:00 p.m. - Bulldogs @ Edmonton Road Runners
- Hamilton is 6-2-1-1 versus the Edmonton Road Runners (28-26-4-10) in 10 games this season.
- Bulldogs forward Antti Miettinen has recorded five points (1g, 4a) in three games against Edmonton this season.
- Goaltender Yann Danis has a record of 6-1-1, with a 2.34 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and a shutout in eight games against Edmonton this season.
- Forward Kyle Brodziak leads the Road Runners with seven points (1g, 6a) in seven games against Hamilton this season.


HAMILTON BULLDOGS MOLSON CUP THREE STARS - LEADERS
(1st place vote - 5pts, 2nd place vote - 3 pts, 3rd place vote - 1pt)

Player Points
1. Chris Higgins 54
2. Yann Danis 50
3. Tomas Plekanec 33
4. Corey Locke 24
5. Dan Ellis 18
5. Jason Ward 18
7. Steve Ott 9
7. Duncan Milroy 9
9. James Sanford 8
9. Gavin Morgan 8
11. Andrei Kostitsyn 7
11. Antti Miettinen 7
13. Trevor Daley 6
14. Philippe Plante 5
14. Marc-Andre Thinel 5
16. Raitis Ivanans 3
17. Ron Hainsey 2
18. Michael Lambert 1


HOMETOWN HERO OF THE GAME-LEADERS
(Hardest Working Bulldogs Player on Home Ice)

Player Points
1. Steve Ott 70
2. Chris Higgins 50
3. Trevor Daley 40
3. Tomas Plekanec 40
5. Jason Ward 30
6. Dan Jancevski 20
6. Gavin Morgan 20
8. Andrei Kostitsyn 10
8. Dan Ellis 10
8. Yann Danis 10
8. Raitis Ivanans 10
8. James Sanford 10



American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2005


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