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Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly

January 7, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME SCHEDULE/BROADCASTS (All times EST)

Tuesday, January 8 vs. Toronto Marlies, Copps Coliseum, 7:30 p.m. - TVA Sports, Funny 820 AM, TSN Radio 690 (Montreal)

Friday, January 11 at Rochester Americans, Blue Cross Arena, 7:05 p.m. - Funny 820 AM, TSN Radio 690 (Montreal)

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

Record : 12-18-1-3, 28 points ... Home: 7-6-1-1, 16 points, Road: 5-12-0-2, 12 points ... Standings: 5th North Division ... 15th Western Conference ... Last 10 games: 2-6-0-2 ... Longest winning streak: 2 (Oct. 13-19, Dec. 8-11) ... Longest losing streak: 5 (Dec. 16-26) ... Leading scorers: C Gabriel Dumont (34 GP 10-10-20) ... RW Brendan Gallagher (34 GP 10-10-20) ... RW Mike Blunden (34 GP 7-6-13) ... D Nathan Beaulieu (33 GP 2-10-12) ... Goaltenders: Cedrick Desjardins (15 GP 5-10-0, 3.10 GAA, .898 Save %, 2 SO), Robert Mayer (19 GP 7-7-3, 2.99 GAA, .899 Save %, 0 SO) ... Power play - Home: 9-for-65, 13.8 percent, 25th AHL ... Road: 5-for-80, 6.3 percent 30th AHL ... Overall: 14-for-145, 9.7 percent, 30th AHL ... Penalty killing - Home: 5-for-63, 92.1 percent, 2nd AHL ... Road: 27-for-99, 72.7 percent, 30th AHL ... Overall: 32-for-162, 80.2 percent, 25th AHL ... Goals for per game: 2.18, 30th AHL ... Goals against per game: 3.21, 30th AHL

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE

TORONTO MARLIES (Affiliation: Toronto Maple Leafs) - Head Coach: Dallas Eakins ... Record: 21-9-1-2, 45 points ... Home: 13-2-0-1, 27 points ... Road: 8-7-1-1, 18 points ... Standings: 1st North Division ... 1st Western Conference ... Leading scorer: C Keith Aucoin (32 GP 9-26-35) ... Leading goaltender: Ben Scrivens (22 GP 14-7-1, 2.22 GAA, .917 Save %, 1 SO) ... Power play: 31-for-171, 18.1 percent, 10th AHL ... Penalty killing: 23-for-145, 84.1 percent, 14th AHL ... Goals for per game: 3.48, 2nd AHL ... Goals against per game: 2.52, 5th AHL ... Last game: Jan. 5 W 5-2 vs. Rockford ... Last 10 games: 8-0-1-1 ... The game is the first of six consecutive road dates for the Marlies, who have won three games in a row and not lost in regulation since a 3-2 setback to the visiting Abbotsford Heat on Dec. 9 ... The Marlies are 12-6-1-0 against North Division opponents ... LW Ryan Hamilton has scored in three consecutive games and recorded eight goals and four assists for 12 points in his last nine games ... C Keith Aucoin is fifth in league scoring with nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points. He has 812 career points, four behind Mitch Lamoureux for ninth on the AHL's all-time list. Aucoin has 13 points, including five goals, in seven games against the Bulldogs this season. He has contributed 21 points, including six goals, over his last 17 games ... D Mike Kostka is second in scoring among AHL defencemen with six goals and 28 assists for 34 points. He is second in the league in assists, two behind Justin Schultz of the Oklahoma City Barons. Kostka has recorded three goals and 16 assists for 19 points over his last 16 games ... G Ben Scrivens, whose 14 wins are fourth among AHL netminders, has not lost in regulation over his last seven starts. He is 6-0-0-1 in that span ... D Paul Ranger sits second in the AHL in plus/minus at plus-17 ... C Joe Colborne has two goals and three assists for five points in his last two games ... D Jake Gardiner has lost 11 games to a head injury suffered in a 4-3 home-ice win over the Rochester Americans on Dec. 8 ... The Marlies' power play on the road is 25th on the road, netting goals in 77 opportunities for an effectiveness rating of 11.7 percent ... The Marlies are also 25th in the league at killing penalties on the road having allowed 15 goals in 72 shorthanded situations (79.2 percent) The Marlies allow 27.48 shots per game, sixth-best in the league. ... LW Nicolas Deschamps turned 23 on Sunday ... All-time series: 40-35-0-7-7 ... This season: Eighth of 12 meetings. The Bulldogs posted a 4-1 win at home in the opener on Oct. 19, but lost 5-0 at Toronto the following night. The Marlies prevailed 5-4 in overtime at Hamilton on Oct. 26, but the Bulldogs skated to a 6-3 win at Copps Coliseum on Nov. 16, but fell 6-1 the following day at Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies won 3-2 at Air Canada Centre on Dec. 26 and skated to a 6-0 win at Ricoh Coliseum on Jan. 2. The Marlies return to Hamilton on Jan. 19 ... First-round NHL picks: RW Carter Ashton (Tampa Bay, 2009), D Joe Colborne (Boston, 2008), D Jake Gardiner (Anaheim, 2008), C Nazem Kadri (Toronto, 2009) ... Connections: Bulldogs RW Mike Blunden is a Toronto native

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (Affiliation: Buffalo Sabres) - Head Coach: Ron Rolston ... Record: 17-13-2-1, 37 points ... Home: 11-6-0-1, 23 points ... Road: 6-7-2-0, 14 points ... Standings: 4th North Division ... 10th Eastern Conference ... Leading scorer: D T.J. Brennan (33 GP 12-18-30) ... Leading goaltender: David Leggio (27 GP 16-10-1, 2.92 GAA, .912 Save %, 1 SO) ... Power play: 32-for-148, 21.6 percent, 2nd AHL ... Penalty killing: 23-for-151, 84.8 percent, 11th AHL ... Goals for per game: 3.36, 3rd AHL .... Goals against per game: 3.15, 27th AHL ... Last game: Jan. 5 L 3-1 at Abbotsford ... Last 10 games: 5-4-0-1 ... The Americans host the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday night ... Rochester is 9-6-1-1 against North Division foes ... G David Leggio is first among AHL netminders with 825 saves, second in wins with 16 and second in minutes played with 1641:34. He has backstopped the Americans to four shootout wins, tops among AHL goaltenders. Leggio has started the Americans' last six games and made 34 saves in a 2-0 win over the visiting Bulldogs on Dec. 31 to record his first shutout of the season ... D T.J. Brennan is third in scoring among AHL blueliners with 30 points and his 12 goals are second in the league among rearguards, six behind Justin Schultz of the Oklahoma City Barons. Brennan leads AHL defencemen with 124 shots. He is second in the league in that category behind C Ben Street of the Abbotsford Heat... RW Mark Mancari has contributed five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in his last 14 games ... D Mark Pysyk turns 21 on Friday ... RW Brian Flynn has recorded one goal and four assists for five points over his last six games. He has three goals and three assists for six points in five games against Hamilton this season ... The Americans' power play is sixth in the league at home. Rochester has scored 18 goals in 83 opportunities for an effectiveness rating of 21.7 percent ... The Americans' penalty killers are fourth-best in the AHL on home ice, having allowed eight goals in 80 shorthanded situations (90 percent) ... Rochester goaltenders face 33.42 shots per game, 29th in the AHL ... The Americans have only outshot the opposition in 11 games, third-fewest in the AHL behind the san Antonio Rampage and Hershey Bears. The Americans are 5-4-2 in those games ... Rochester is perfect in eight games at home in which it has held the lead through two periods ... All-time series: 71-72-7-0-7 ... This season: Sixth of 12 meetings. Bulldogs lost the first two games, both at Rochester, falling 3-1 on Oct. 23 and 3-2 via shootout on Nov. 2. Bulldogs prevailed 4-3 at home on Nov. 3 and lost 4-1 to the visiting Americans on Nov. 14. Rochester posted a 2-0 win at home on Dec. 31. The Bulldogs return to Rochester on Jan. 21 ... First-round NHL picks: D Joe Finley (Washington, 2005), C Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo, 2012), C Cody Hodgson (Vancouver, 2008) D Mark Pysyk (Buffalo, 2010) ... Connections: Bulldogs D Kyle Hagel played three games for the Americans in 2008-09 ... Rochester D Drew Schiestel is a Hamilton native who played two seasons in the OHL for the Niagara IceDogs

TRANSACTIONS

Dec. 31 - LW Philippe Lefebvre reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) from Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

Jan. 3 - D Jason DeSantis reassigned by Florida Panthers (NHL) from San Antonio Rampage (AHL)

Jan. 3 - D Brendon Nash reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) to San Antonio Rampage (AHL)

Jan. 7 - D Joe Stejskal reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) from Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

Jan. 7 - C Daultan Leveille recalled from Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

INJURY REPORT

C Blake Geoffrion (depressed skull fracture, November 9th vs. Syracuse at Montreal) is out indefinitely ... C Joonas Nattinen (upper-body injury Dec. 28 vs. St. John's) is out indefinitely ... D Greg Pateryn (fractured elbow, November 2nd at Rochester) is out seven to 10 days ... RW Aaron Palushaj (shoulder, December 11th vs. Lake Erie) is out two to three weeks.

PRACTICE/MORNING SKATE SCHEDULE

Monday, Jan. 7: Practice - 11 am (Copps Coliseum)

Tuesday, Jan. 8: Morning Skate - 10 am (Copps Coliseum)

Wednesday, Jan. 9: Practice - 12 pm (Copps Coliseum)

Thursday, Jan. 10: Practice - 11 am (Copps Coliseum)

Friday, Jan. 11: Morning Skate - 10 am (Copps Coliseum)

Saturday, Jan. 12: Practice - 12 pm (Copps Coliseum)

Sunday, Jan. 13: Practice - 11 am (Copps Coliseum)

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

December 31: at Rochester - Americans 2, Bulldogs 0

The Americans got goals from Evan Rankin and Mark Mancari and goaltender David Leggio made 34 saves for his first shutout of the season as Rochester closed 2012 with a 2-0 win. The Bulldogs, blanked for a second consecutive game, got a 24-save performance from netminder Cedrick Desjardins. The Bulldogs were 0-for-4 on the power while the Americans went 1-for-6.

January 2: at Toronto - Marlies 6, Bulldogs 0

Keith Aucoin produced two goals and one assist in 6-0 Marlies' win. The loss was the third in a row for the Bulldogs who were also shut out for the third consecutive game for the first time in club history. The Marlies converted three of their six power-play opportunities and received a shorthanded goal from Jerry D'Amigo. Ben Scrivens made 14 saves for his second shutout of the season. Cedrick Desjardins faced 19 shots in goal for the Bulldogs, who were 0-for-4 on the power play.

January 4: at Hamilton - Bulldogs 3, IceHogs 1

The Bulldogs ended a three-game losing streak and a club-record scoring drought in a 3-1 win over visiting Rockford before a crowd of 4,505. Ben Smith opened the scoring for the visitors at 1:53 of the first period, but Patrick Holland got the Bulldogs on the board at 19:59, scoring his fourth goal of the season and ending a scoreless run of 200:29 over four games dating to a 6-3 win over the visiting St. John's IceCaps on Dec. 28. Gabriel Dumont scored in the second period and Olivier Fortier's first AHL goal of the season made it 3-1 in the third. Goaltender Robert Mayer stopped 35 shots to collect the win. Alec Richards faced 28 shots in the IceHogs' net. The Bulldogs were 1-for-5 on the power play while Rockford went 0-for-3.

January 5: at Hamilton - Monsters 3, Bulldogs 2 (SO)

Bill Thomas scored the tying goal at 19:56 of the third period and Mark Oliver scored the deciding goal in a five-round shootout to lift the Monsters to a 3-2 win. Paul Carey put the visitors up 1-0 at 18:52 of the first period, but Brendan Gallagher tied the game at 10:40 of the second period and set up the go-ahead goal by Frederic St-Denis at 11:31 of the third. The Bulldogs, outshot 18-8 in the third, were unable to capitalize on a double-minor for high-sticking issued to Cameron Gaunce in overtime. Robert Mayer faced 37 shots in a second consecutive start for Hamilton while Calvin Pickard made 33 saves for the Monsters. The Bulldogs went 0-for-7 with the man advantage; Lake Erie was 0-for-5. A crowd of 4,537 took in the third of four Bulldogs' home games in January.

TEAM NOTES

The Bulldogs are 6-10-1-2 against North Division opponents and 9-13-1-2 against Western Conference foes ... The Bulldogs were last shut out in consecutive games in 2007-08 when they lost 4-0 to the visiting Quad City Flames on Jan. 25 and 2-0 at home to the Syracuse Crunch the following night ... The Bulldogs remain undefeated when leading through two periods, having won all eight games in which they led through 40 minutes. The Bulldogs are 4-0-0-0 in such contests at home ... The Bulldogs are 6-4-1-3 in one-goal games ... Gabriel Dumont's power-play goal against Rockford was the Bulldogs' first in 17 opportunities dating back five games to their win over the visiting St. John's IceCaps on Dec. 28 ... The Bulldogs have one win in five extended-time games. They posted a 4-3 win via shootout in the season opener against the host Grand Rapids Griffins on Oct. 13. The Bulldogs have one overtime loss and three via shootout ... The Bulldogs have scored 18 first-period goals, 29th in the AHL, one ahead of the Adirondack Phantoms ... The Bulldogs are averaging 29.32 shots per game, 21st in the AHL. They allow 29.88 per game, 14th in the league ... The Bulldogs have opened the scoring in eight of 34 games this season, fewest in the AHL. They are 6-1-0-1 in those games.

PLAYER NEWS

D Nathan Beaulieu was credited with 10 shots on goal against the Monsters, matching the team high set by Brendan Gallagher in a 5-4 overtime loss to the visiting Toronto Marlies on Oct. 26 ... D Jason DeSantis, 26, recorded two goals and seven assists in 28 games with the San Antonio Rampage this season. DeSantis, who played four seasons at Ohio State University, has skated in 179 AHL games over five seasons with the Philadelphia Phantoms, Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, St. John's IceCaps and San Antonio, contributing 15 goals and 64 assists for 79 points. DeSantis made his debut at home against the IceHogs, arriving in Hamilton at 4 p.m. the day of the game ... C Gabriel Dumont has four goals and three assists for seven points in his last three home games ...C Olivier Fortier's goal against Rockford was his first for the Bulldogs since being recalled from the Orlando Solar Bears on the ECHL on Dec. 12. He had 17 goals in 106 games for the Bulldogs over three previous seasons ... RW Brendan Gallagher's goal against Lake Erie broke a seven-game scoring drought ... RW Patrick Holland snapped a 12-game scoring drought with his goal against Rockford ... LW Philippe Lefebvre, 21, had 16 points, including eight goals, in 28 games this season for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Lefebvre spent last season, his first as a professional, with the Bulldogs, recording five goals and six assists for 11 points in 69 games. He earned an assist against Rockford in his season debut ... C Daultan Leveille, a 22-year-old St. Catharines native, had contributed four goals and three assists for seven points in 25 games this season for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL ... G Robert Mayer made consecutive starts for the first time since November. He is unbeaten in regulation in his last five starts, posting three wins and two shootout defeats. His assist on Gallagher's goal against Lake Erie marked the first point for a Bulldogs' goaltender this season ... D Brendon Nash played 26 games for the Bulldogs this season, scoring one goal and adding seven assists for eight points. Nash, 25, was signed by the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent on March 30, 2010. He skated in two games with the Canadiens in 2011-12 as well as 75 with the Bulldogs in which he produced five goals and 25 assists for 30 points ... RW Steve Quailer's assist against the IceHogs was his first point in 11 games dating to Dec. 11 when he scored the only goal in the Bulldogs' 1-0 win over visiting Lake Erie ... D Frederic St-Denis has scored two of his three goals this season over his last seven games. He also has an assist during that span ... D Joe Stejskal, 24, had earned two assists in four previous games with the Bulldogs this season. He had recorded four assists in 26 games this season for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

RW Patrick Holland turns 21 TODAY

BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE

For the Bulldogs fan in your life, team merchandise with be available at Tiger-Town Sports at Limeridge Mall until January 15th.

Fans can also 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. 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic gear will also be available for a limited time.

BULLDOGS HOCKEY HOUR AT MONTANA'S

The next instalment of the Bulldogs Hockey Hour will be held live on location on TONIGHT at 7 p.m. at Montana's Cookhouse at 1508 Upper James Street in Hamilton.

Fans can join Bulldogs play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills, colour commentator Al Craig, defenceman Jason DeSantis and centre Louis Leblanc as they review the past week of Bulldogs hockey and preview what's to come. The interactive setting will allow fans to ask questions, get autographs, win prizes and enjoy food and drink specials.

BULLDOGS AND HAMILTON POLICE TEAMING UP TO COMBAT DRINKING AND DRIVING

The Bulldogs and Hamilton Police have announced a program aimed at reducing impaired driving in Hamilton. Motorists who successfully complete RIDE spot checks will be presented with a voucher that can be exchanged for a pair of tickets to either of the Bulldogs' two remaining January home games:

Tuesday, January 8th vs. Toronto Marlies 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 19th vs. Toronto Marlies 7 p.m.

THE BULLDOGS ON THE AIR

Fans can listen to and watch all 'Dogs games on www.hamiltonbulldogs.com . Live coverage with the team of play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills (all home and away games) and colour commentator Al Craig (all home and select away games) will begin with the Pioneer Pre-Game Show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

All Bulldogs games are broadcast on www.AHLLive.com.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BULLDOGS

Fans can follow the Bulldogs online and watch game highlights, behind-the-scenes video and get breaking news and feature stories at HamiltonBulldogs.com. Fans can get the latest Bulldogs news and information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bulldogsAHL and follow play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills at www.twitter.com/dogsplaybyplay .

Fans can "Like" the Bulldogs' official face book page at www.facebook.com/hamiltonbulldogs and see game highlights and other video features at the Bulldogs' official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/bulldogstube .

TICKET INFORMATION

2012-2013 Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets, Pioneer Flex Pack tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For as little as $10 per game, you can enjoy the many benefits of being a 'Dogs season ticket holder including reserved seating for all home games at Copps Coliseum, the option to redeem unused tickets for any regular season game, discounts on team merchandise and access to exclusive season ticket holder-only events with the team. Convenient payment plans are available.

For more information on how to join our team by becoming a Hamilton Bulldogs season ticket holder, or for more information on Pioneer Flex Pack tickets or group tickets, call 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX, e-mail ticketing@hamiltonbulldogs.com or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com . 'Dogs single-game tickets are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or by calling 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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