Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly

Published on December 27, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) will play their final two games of 2010 at Copps Coliseum before starting 2011 on the road in Cleveland. The first match-up will be against the Chicago Wolves (AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers) at home on Tuesday, December 28th at 7:00 p.m. Hamilton will get a day off from games before the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche) travel to Copps Coliseum on Thursday, December 30th to take-on the Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. The 'Dogs final game of the week will be against Lake Erie on New Year's day for a tilt at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday, January 1st at 7:30 p.m.

Hamilton had a light schedule this past week as they only had two games due to the Christmas break. The first of two match-ups was played against the Houston Aeros on December 21st. The first goal of the contest was scored by Dustin Boyd at 9:12 of the first period. The 'Dogs opening goal was followed by two quick helpers as Olivier Fortier scored just two minutes and 14 seconds after and David Desharnais followed by potting a shorthanded goal three minutes and 47 seconds after the first of the game by Boyd. The match ended in a 5-0 shutout victory for Curtis Sanford and the Bulldogs as Ryan Russell and David Desharnais each beat Anton Khudobin of the Aeros in the second period. The Bulldogs final battle of the week was against the Toronto Marlies on December 26th. Keith Aulie opened the scoring for the Marlies giving them a 1-0 lead early in the first. Hamilton responded with a goal by Kyle Klubertanz who tied the game at one before heading into the second frame. Both teams provided another two goals each in the second stanza as Kyle Klubertanz scored another and Dustin Boyd added one to bring the game to a 3-3 tie at the end of two. The final frame was scoreless which forced the game into overtime but neither teams were able to earn the victory in the extra period. Shootouts were needed to determine a winner but it wasn't until the sixth round when Joey Crabb of the Marlies scored the lone goal of the shootout to propel Toronto to a 4-3 victory.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:

Tuesday, December 21st - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 5 @ HOUSTON AEROS 0

Toyota Center - Houston, TX

Hamilton Goals: Dustin Boyd*, Olivier Fortier, David Desharnais (2), Ryan Russell

Houston Goals: None

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (W - 38 shots, 38 saves) / Houston: Anton Khudobin / Matt Hackett (L - 29 shots, 24 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 1-4 / Houston 0-5

Attendance: 5582

* - Game Winning Goal

Sunday, December 26th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 3 @ TORONTO MARLIES 4 (SO)

Ricoh Coliseum - Toronto, ON

Hamilton Goals: Kyle Klubertanz (2), Dustin Boyd

Toronto Goals: Keith Aulie (2), Mike Zigomanis, Joey Crabb*

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (L - 22 shots, 19 saves) / Toronto: Jussi Rynnas (L - 31 shots, 28 saves)

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

Attendance: 4184

*- Shootout Game Winning Goal

BULLDOGS NOTES:

- C David Desharnais is first overall in AHL scoring with 41 points (10G, 31A). He is on pace for 99 points on the season which would beat his previous best of 78 in 2010.

- Centre David Desharnais recorded four points in a victory over the Aeros on December 21st. He registered two shorthanded goals while adding two helpers on the night. Desharnais leads the team in plus-minus with a +13 rating and is first in the AHL for assists with 31.

- C David Desharnais was named Reebok Player of the Week for the week ending December 26th he recorded 5 points in that span (2G, 3A).

- The 'Dogs rank in the top five in both special teams categories. Hamilton's penalty kill is sixth overall with a 86.4% success rate and their power play sits fifth in the standings capitalizing on 20.8% of their chances with the man advantage.

- 21 of the 33 games played by Hamilton this season have been decided by one goal which equates to 64% of Hamilton's battles this season.

- C Dustin Boyd has recorded a goal in each of his first five games with the 'Dogs, amassing six goals in that span. Boyd was assigned to the 'Dogs on Thursday, December 16th.

- Including Sunday's tilt versus the Marlies, the Bulldogs have now played in seven games this season which have been decided in shootouts. The Bulldogs rank second in that category only to the Abbotsford Heat and the Milwaukee Admirals who have played in eight.

- C Ben Maxwell returned to the Bulldogs lineup on Friday, December 17th after missing the previous nine games due to an injury. Maxwell is now on a five-game points streak that has seen him earn six points (1G,5A).

- G Curtis Sanford sits third in the AHL for goals-against-average with 1.68 and third in save percentage with .941SV%.

UPCOMING GAMES:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS vs. CHICAGO WOLVES

7:00 PM EST - COPPS COLISEUM - HAMILTON, ONTARIO

- This will be the second of four meetings between the two clubs this season

- The last time the two teams met was December 4th when Chicago defeated Hamilton 2-1

- Last season the Bulldogs went 4-0-0-0 against the Wolves

- Hamilton's all-time record against Chicago currently sits at 13-8-0-2

- Jason Krog leads the Wolves in scoring with 32 points (7G, 25A)

- There are two Ontario natives currently listed on the Wolves roster: RW Darren Haydar (Milton), G Edward Pasquale (Toronto)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS vs. LAKE ERIE MONSTERS

7:00 PM EST - COPPS COLISEUM - HAMILTON, ONTARIO

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1st - HAMILTON BULLDOGS @ LAKE ERIE MONSTERS

7:00 PM EST - QUICKEN LOANS ARENA - CLEVELAND, OHIO

- This is the second and third of eight meetings between the two clubs this season

- Last season the 'Dogs went 4-2-1-1 versus the Lake Erie Monsters

- Hamilton's all-time record against Lake Erie is 17-5-0-1-2

- The last time the two teams met was November 10th when Lake Erie defeated Hamilton 5-1

- Ben Walter leads the Monsters in scoring with 23 points (8G, 15A)

- There are five Ontario natives currently listed on the Monster roster: RW Tom Zanoski (Brampton), D Cameron Gaunce (Markham), D David Liffiton (Windsor), G Trevor Cann (Oakville) and C Julian Talbot (Wahnaptae)

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:

- Montreal G Carey Price posted a 1-2-0-0 record this week, Price lost against the Stars 5-2 (December 21), beat the Hurricanes (December 23) 3-2 and lost a game versus the Islanders 4-1 (December 25) He is one shutout behind first place goaltenders Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist in with four and leads the NHL with 19 wins.

- Boston G Tim Thomas is currently first among goaltenders in the NHL in goals-against-average and save-percentage. He holds a 1.67 GAA and a 0.949SV% against opposing teams. Thomas is also tied for the NHL lead in shutouts with Henrik Lundqvist with five. He registered a 1-1-0-0 record this week losing to the Ducks 3-0 (December 20) and gaining a victory over the Thrashers 4-1 (December 23).

- Dallas LW Steve Ott registered two assists during a win over the Canadiens (December 21). Ott has 16 (7G, 9A) points this season.

- Toronto C Mikhail Grabovski amassed a goal and three assists this week. He had a goal and an assist against the Thrashers (December 20) and recorded one assist in a victory 4-1 victory over the Devils (December 26) Grabovski currently sits second in team scoring on the Leafs with 26 points (12G, 14A).

- Dallas C Mike Ribeiro registered one assist against the Canadiens (December 21) and netted one goal and an assist in a Dallas loss to the Calgary Flames (Decemberc23). He is ranked third in team scoring with 29 points (6G, 23A).

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, 'TODAY'S COUNTRY AM 820 CHAM'. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the 'AHL Live' or '820 CHAM' icon on the Bulldogs 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 80 regular season games, while Al Craig provides the colour commentary for all home games and select road games.

GET YOUR TICKETS!:

Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets, flex tickets, min pack tickets, group tickets and 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 or call 905-527-7666. For information on season tickets, flex tickets, mini pack tickets and group tickets visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com, or call (905) 529-8500 ext. 179.

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 December 27, 2010


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