Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly

Published on January 31, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs (American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) will play back-to-back games this week. The first of the two will be on Friday, February 4th in Grand Rapids for a 7:00 P.M. puck drop against the Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings). After the Friday night tilt in Michigan the 'Dogs will travel back to Hamilton to take-on the Adirondack Phantoms (AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers). The Phantoms will be in Hamilton for a 5:00 P.M. start time at Copps Coliseum. Defenceman Mathieu Carle and goaltender Curtis Sanford will be representing the Bulldogs as they compete as members of the Western Conference team at the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Capital BlueCross. The game can be seen live on TSN in Canada beginning at 7:00 P.M.

Hamilton's first tilt of the week was against the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday, January 26th. The game marked the first ever School Day Game for the Bulldogs, which was a great success both on the score sheet and in the stands. Over 10,000 fans attended the game many of them being kids from the Hamilton region and witnessed a 3-0 win for the 'Dogs. Dustin Boyd recorded his second hat trick of the season as he provided all the offence in this match-up. Hamilton's second and third games of the week were against another North Division rival, the Lake Erie Monsters. A home-and-home began in Hamilton with the Monsters Justin Mercier opening the scoring in the first. The 'Dogs fought their way back with a goal from Gabriel Dumont, who tied the game in the second period. Mark Olver followed with a goal in the third frame scoring at 9:25. Hamilton could not get an equalizer to force overtime ending the game by a score of 2-1 in favour of the Monsters. The home-and-home continued against Lake Erie as the Bulldogs travelled to Cleveland on Saturday, January 29th. Aaron Palushaj was the lone player to net a goal for the 'Dogs as Hamilton surrendered four goals in the contest losing by a score of 4-1.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:

Wednesday, January 26th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 3 vs. MANITOBA MOOSE

Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goals: Dustin Boyd (3)*

Manitoba Goals: None

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (W- 31 shots, 31 saves) / Manitoba: Tyler Weiman (L- 31 shots, 29 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 0-3 / Manitoba 0-4

Attendance: 10270

* - Game Winning Goal

Thursday, January 27th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1 vs. LAKE ERIE MONSTERS 2

Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Goals: Gabriel Dumont

Lake Erie Goals: Justin Mercier, Mark Olver*

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (L - 20 shots, 18 saves) / Lake Erie: John Grahame (W - 26 shots, 25 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 0-1 / Lake Erie 0-2

Attendance: 2729

*- Game Winning Goal

Saturday, January 29th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS 1 @ LAKE ERIE MONSTERS 4

Quicken Loans Arena - Cleveland, OH

Hamilton Goals: Aaron Palushaj

Lake Erie Goals: Patrick Rissmiller (2), Mark Olver*, Ben Walter

Goaltending: Hamilton: Curtis Sanford (L - 37 shots, 34 saves) / Lake Erie: John Grahame (L - 19 shots, 18 saves)

Power Play: Hamilton 0-3 / Lake Erie 2-6

Attendance: 11132

*- Game Winning Goal

BULLDOGS NOTES:

- The 'Dogs rank in the top five in both special teams categories. Hamilton's penalty kill is fifth overall with an 85.6% success rate and their power play sits fifth in the standings capitalizing on 21.6% of their chances with the man advantage.

- 28 of the 47 games played by Hamilton this season have been decided by one goal which equates to 60% of Hamilton's battles this season.

- G Curtis Sanford sits first in the AHL for goals-against-average with 1.72 and is tied for first in save percentage with Braden Holtby of Hershey with a .939SV%. Sanford is also tied in first for the league lead in shutouts with five tying Barry Brust of the Binghamton Senators, Jake Allen of the Peoria Rivermen and Braden Holtby of the Hershey Bears.

- Rookie D Brendon Nash sits in the top five in two categories among all rookie skaters. He is currently tied for third in assists with 20 and is fifth in plus-minus with a +13 through 46 games.

- The 'Dogs win versus the Manitoba Moose on January 26th marked their sixth win in a row surpassing their previous high of five consecutive wins which began October 27th and ended November 10th.

- LW Dustin Boyd registered his second hat trick of this season in the contest versus the Manitoba Moose on January 26th. He led the team to victory scoring the only three goals for the 'Dogs solidifying a 3-0 victory.

UPCOMING GAMES:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS @ GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

7:00 PM EST - VAN ANDEL ARENA - GRAND RAPIDS, MI

- This is the fourth of six meetings between the two clubs this season

- The last time the two teams met was on January 5th when the Griffins defeated the 'Dogs 3-2

- The Bulldogs have 1-2-0-0 record against the Griffs this season

- Hamilton's all-time record against Grand Rapids is 30-18-1-2-4

- Ilari Flippula leads the Griffins in scoring with 26 points (16G, 20A)

- There are nine Ontario natives currently listed on the Griffins roster: F Mike Hedden (Dunnville), C Corey Emmerton (St. Thomas), C Jamie Johnson (London), RW Adam Keefe (Brampton), LW Chris Minard (Owen Sound), LW Jordan Owens (Toronto), RW Jamie Tardif (Welland), D Brendan Smith (Mimico) and D Greg Amadio (Sault Ste. Marie)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5th - HAMILTON BULLDOGS vs. ADIRONDACK PHANTOMS

7:30 PM EST - QUICKEN LOANS ARENA - CLEVELAND, OHIO

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

- The last time the two teams met was on January 22nd when Hamilton topped the Phantoms 4-3 in shootouts

- This season the Bulldogs have a 2-0-0-0 against Adirondack

- Hamilton's all-time record against the Phantoms currently sits at 6-0-0-0

- Denis Hamel (14G, 14A) and Eric Gustafsson (4G, 24A) are tied for the team lead in points with 28 points

- There are currently seven Ontario natives listed on the Phantoms roster: RW Stefan Legein (Oakville), C Luke Pither (Burketon), F Eric Wellwood (Windsor) C Zac Rinaldo (Hamilton), D Danny Syvret (Millgrove), G Michael Leighton (Petrolia) and D Dan Jancevski (Windsor)

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:

- Boston G Tim Thomas is currently first among goaltenders in the NHL in goals-against-average and save-percentage. He holds a 1.81 GAA and a 0.945SV% against opposing teams. Thomas is also tied for first in the NHL with Henrik Lundqvist in shutouts with seven. He registered a 1-1-0-0 record this week losing in his first match-up against the Lightning 2-0 (January 24) and winning against the Panthers (January 26) in his second of two games this week.

- Montreal C David Desharnais scored in the Canadiens lone game this week against the Flyers (January 25). Since being recalled to the parent club on December 31st, Desharnais has five points (3G, 2A) in 11 games.

- Dallas C Mike Ribiero recorded two assists this past week for the Stars. In a 3-1 win versus the Oilers (January 26) Ribiero provided helpers on two of the goals giving him 46 (10G, 36A) points through 50 games.

- Minnesota RW Antti Miettinen scored in the Wild's only game this week versus the Blackhawks (January 25). Miettinen provided the game winner in the contest propelling the Wild to a 4-2 victory over Chicago.

- Montreal LW Mathieu Darche recorded his ninth goal of the season against the Flyers (January 25). Darche has a total of 20 (9G, 11A) points in 44 games played this season.

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 January 31, 2011


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