Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly

Published on March 25, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


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

Wednesday, March 27 vs. Abbotsford Heat, Copps Coliseum, 7:30 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

Friday, March 29 vs. Abbotsford Heat, Copps Coliseum, 7:30 p.m. - Funny 820 AM/Cable 14

Saturday, March 30 vs. Rochester Americans, Copps Coliseum, 7 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

Record: 25-32-1-5, 56 points ... Home: 16-12-1-2, 33 points, Road: 9-20-0-3, 21 points ... Standings: 5th North Division ... 15th Western Conference ... Last 10 games: 4-6-0-0 ... Longest winning streak: 4 (Feb. 9-16) ... Longest losing streak: 5 (Dec. 16-26, Jan. 11-21) ... Leading scorers: C Michael Bournival (56 GP 7-17-24) ... D Nathan Beaulieu (61 GP 6-17-23) ... RW Patrick Holland (59 GP 8-14-22) ... Goaltenders: Robert Mayer (31 GP 13-13-3, 3.05 GAA, .904 Save %, 0 SO), Dustin Tokarski (44 GP 23-14-4, 2.26 GAA, .914 Save %, 6 SO) ... Power play - Home: 17-for-127, 13.4 percent, 26th AHL ... Road: 10-for-123, 8.1 percent 30th AHL ... Overall: 27-for-250, 10.8 percent, 30th AHL ... Penalty killing - Home: 14-for-133, 89.5 percent, 2nd AHL ... Road: 36-for-159, 77.4 percent, 28th AHL ... Overall: 50-for-292, 82.9 percent, 18th AHL ... Goals for per game: 2.10, 30th AHL ... Goals against per game: 2.94, 22nd AHL

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE

ABBOTSFORD HEAT (Affiliation: Calgary Flames) - Head Coach: Troy Ward ... Record: 30-28-3-6, 69 points ... Home: 20-11-2-1, 43 points ... Road: 10-17-1-5, 26 points ... Standings: 3rd North Division ... 11th Western Conference ... Leading scorer: C Ben Walter (59 GP 13-25-38) ... Leading goaltender: Danny Taylor (33 GP 15-10-2, 2.01 GAA, .923 Save %, 2 SO) ... Power play: 40-for-267, 15 percent, 21st AHL ... Penalty killing: 41-for-271, 84.9 percent, 7th AHL ... Goals for per game: 2.21, 29th AHL ... Goals against per game: 2.55, 6th AHL ... Last game: March 23 W 4-3 (OT) vs. Rockford ... Last 10 games: 3-6-0-1 ... The games at Hamilton are two of three the Heat will play in southern Ontario this week. The Heat visits the Toronto Marlies for a matinee on Saturday ... C Ben Street is fourth in the AHL with 206 shots on goal ... C Ben Walter has six points, including one goal, in his last seven games ... D Zach McKelvie has contributed one goal and four assists for five points in his last seven games ... G Danny Taylor, who has played two games this season for the Calgary Flames, is second in the AHL with a 2.01 goals-against average ... G Leland Irving has played six games for the Flames this season ... LW Sven Baertschi has produced four points, including two goals, in his last three games. He skated in 10 games for the Flames this season ... The Heat is 24th in the league in penalty minutes averaging 14.33 per game ... The Heat's six shootout losses are third in the AHL behind the Albany Devils (10) and Lake Erie Monsters (7) ... Abbotsford is 18-9-0-1 in games in which it has scored first ... The Heat is 16-8-0-3 against North Division foes ... The Heat's power play on the road is ranked 27th in the league with 14 goals in 133 opportunities (10.5 percent) ... Abbotsford is 14th at killing penalties on the road, having given up 22 goals in 132 shorthanded situations for a kill rate of 83.3 percent ... The Heat averages 28.58 shots per game, 24th in the league and gives up an average of 27.64, fourth in the AHL ... LW Lance Bouma turns 23 on Monday ... All-time series: 13-9-0-1-3 ... This season: Seventh and eighth of eight meetings. The Bulldogs won the first game, 2-1 at home on Oct. 28, and split two games at Abbotsford, losing 5-1 on Nov. 30 and winning 3-0 on Dec. 1. The Heat won the last two games at Abbotsford, winning 3-1 on Jan. 15 and prevailing 2-1 in a shootout the following night. The Bulldogs blanked the Heat 2-0 at Copps Coliseum on March 5 ... First-round NHL picks: LW Sven Baertschi (Calgary, 2011), G Leland Irving (Calgary, 2006), C Krys Kolanos (Phoenix, 2000), C Greg Nemisz (Calgary, 2008) ... Connections: None

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (Affiliation: Buffalo Sabres) - Head Coach: Chadd Cassidy ... Record: 35-25-3-1, 74 points ... Home: 19-12-0-1, 39 points ... Road: 16-13-3-0, 35 points ... Standings: 2nd North Division ... 6th Western Conference ... Leading scorer: RW Mark Mancari (64 GP 20-38-58) ... Leading goaltender: David Leggio (54 GP 33-20-1, 2.60 GAA, .922 Save %, 3 SO) ... Power play: 58-for-278, 20.9 percent, 3rd AHL ... Penalty killing: 33-for-261, 87.4 percent, 1st AHL ... Goals for per game: 3.16, 4th AHL ... Goals against per game: 2.80, 17th AHL ... Last game: March 24 W 3-0 at San Antonio ... Last 10 games: 6-3-1-0 ... The Americans will host the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday night and the Toronto Marlies on Friday night before journeying to Hamilton ... RW Mark Mancari is fifth in the league in scoring with 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points. He is fifth in the league in assists and leads the AHL with 239 shots on goal ... David Leggio leads AHL goaltenders in wins (33), games (54), saves (1669) and minutes played (3274). He has started all but three of the Americans' last 18 games and has backstopped the Americans to seven shootout wins, tied for most in the league with Niklas Svedberg of the Providence Bruins ... D Brayden McNabb is sixth in scoring among AHL blueliners with five goals and 31 assists for 36 points ... The Americans have lost only four of 13 extended-time games ... The Americans are 28-8-2 in games in which they score first ... Rochester is 18-10-1-1 against north Division opponents ... The Americans' power play is fourth in productivity on the road with 28 goals in 140 opportunities (20 percent). Rochester's 58 power-play goals are second in the league behind the Rockford IceHogs ... The Americans are seventh in the AHL at killing penalties away from home having surrendered 21 goals in 137 shorthanded situations for an efficiency rating of 84.7 percent ... All-time series: 72-75-7-0-7 ... This season: Tenth 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 and beat the visiting Bulldogs 5-2 on Jan. 11. The Americans beat the visiting Bulldogs 6-3 on Jan. 21. The Americans posted a 2-0 win at Hamilton on Feb. 18 and the Bulldogs skated to a 3-2 win at the Bell Centre at Montreal on Feb. 22. The Bulldogs visit Rochester on April 20 with the Americans coming to Hamilton the following day in the regular-season finale for both teams... First-round NHL picks: C Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo, 2012) ... 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

March 18 - C Brady Vail signed to Amateur Tryout contract

March 19 - C Olivier Fortier returned to Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

March 20 - C Daultan Leveille loaned to San Francisco Bulls (ECHL)

March 20 - D Antoine Corbin loaned to San Francisco Bulls (ECHL)

March 20 - RW Alexander Avstin reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) to Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

March 20 - RW Alex Belzile signed to Professional Tryout contract

March 21 - C Dean Ouellet signed to Professional Tryout contract

March 22 - RW Mike Blunden recalled by Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

March 22 - D Matt Grassi signed to Amateur Tryout contract

INJURY REPORT

C Blake Geoffrion (depressed skull fracture, November 9th vs. Syracuse at Montreal) is out indefinitely ... C Joonas Nattinen (shoulder, Dec. 28 vs. St. John's) is out indefinitely

PRACTICE/MORNING SKATE SCHEDULE

Monday, March 25: Practice - 12 pm (Copps Coliseum)

Tuesday, March 26: Practice - 11 am (Copps Coliseum)

Wednesday, March 27: Morning Skate - 10 am (Copps Coliseum)

Thursday, March 28: Practice - 12:00 pm (Wave Sports Centre) Friday, March 29: Morning Skate - 10 am (Copps Coliseum) Saturday, March 30: Morning Skate - 10 am (Copps Coliseum) Sunday, March 31: Practice - 12 pm (Copps Coliseum)

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

March 22: at Syracuse - Bulldogs 1, Crunch 0

Dustin Tokarski made 40 saves as he backstopped the Bulldogs to a 1-0 win over his former team, the Crunch. Alex Belzile scored his first AHL goal at 10:10 of the third period of his AHL debut as the Bulldogs beat the Crunch for the first time in four games this season. The Bulldogs went 0-for-3 on the power play while the Crunch, which got 25 saves from Riku Helenius, was 0-for-4.

March 23: at Binghamton - Senators 4, Bulldogs 2

Stephane Da Costa scored the winning goal on the power play at 14:31 of the third period to lead the Senators to a 4-2 win. Wacey Hamilton opened the scoring at 6:19 of the second period but Frederic St-Denis tied the game with his fifth goal of the season at 13:42. Mark Stone put the Senators back ahead at 1:57 of the third period before Greg Pateryn brought the Bulldogs back to even terms on the power play with his fifth goal of the season at 7:50. Stone closed the scoring into an empty net at 19:38. Dustin Tokarski made 20 saves in a third consecutive start for the Bulldogs who were 1-for-3 on the power play. The Senators, also 1-for-3 with the man advantage got 27 saves from Nathan Lawson.

TEAM NOTES The Bulldogs are 14th in the league in attendance, averaging 5,515 fans per game through 31 home dates. The Bulldogs went 1-3 on their four-game road stretch and after this week's games will hit the road from April 2-7 for games against the Oklahoma City Barons, San Antonio Rampage, Texas Stars and Houston Aeros ... The Bulldogs are ninth in the AHL in penalty minutes, averaging 19.86 per game ... The Bulldogs are 13-15-1-4 against North Division opponents and 19-23-1-5 against Western Conference foes ... The Bulldogs are 14-7-1-5 in one-goal games ... The Bulldogs, Albany Devils and Springfield Falcons are the only AHL teams yet to win a game in overtime this season. The Bulldogs have only played one game this season that ended in the extra period. They have played eight games settled in shootouts, winning three ... The Bulldogs are 14-4-0-1 when scoring first ... The Bulldogs allow an average of 31.27 shots per game, 22nd in the AHL, while taking an average of 27.89 shots per game, 27th in the league ... The Bulldogs are 13-9-1-1 in games in which they outshoot the opposition ... The Bulldogs are second in the league at killing penalties at home having allowed 14 goals in 133 shorthanded situations for an efficiency rating of 89.5 percent.

PLAYER NEWS

RW Alexander Avtsin played 15 games with the Bulldogs, contributing two goals and three assists for five points ... D Nathan Beaulieu has four assists over his last five games ... RW Alex Belzile scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win at Syracuse in his AHL debut and added two assists in a 4-2 loss at Binghamton. Belzile, 21, has scored 10 goals and added 20 assists for 30 points in 40 games this season with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL ... RW Mike Blunden has been summoned by the Montreal Canadiens for the fourth time this season. Blunden, who has played two games with the Canadiens this season, has appeared in 54 games with the Bulldogs, scoring 10 goals and adding 12 assists for 22 points ... C Michael Bournival has contributed four assists over his last seven games ... D Antoine Corbin scored one goals and added two assists in 30 games with the Bulldogs ... C Olivier Fortier contributed two points, including one goal, in 32 games with the Bulldogs ... D Matt Grassi, who turned 24 on March 7, just finished a four-career at Michigan State University where he registered three goals and 16 assists for 19 points in 121 games ... RW Patrick Holland has produced three goals and five assist for eight points in his last nine games ... C Daultan Leveille earned two assists in 19 games with the Bulldogs. He has registered two points, including one goal in his first two games with the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL ... C Dean Ouellet, 25, made his AHL debut at Syracuse. At the time of his promotion he was second in scoring on the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL with 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 points in 66 games ... D Frederic St-Denis's goal at Binghamton was his first since Feb. 1 against the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins. St-Denis's five goals match his career AHL high, set in 2010-11 ... RW Zach Stortini is fourth in the AHL with 215 penalty minutes ... G Dustin Tokarski's six shutouts are second in the AHL, three behind Curtis McElhinney of the Springfield Falcons. In 11 games with Bulldogs Tokarski has compiled a record of 5-5-0 with three shutouts, a 1.68 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage ... C Brady Vail, 19, was a fourth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He has recorded 45 goals and 72 assists for 117 points in 1987 games over three seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. He made his AHL debut at Syracuse.

BOWLING WITH THE 'DOGS

The Bulldogs and the Hamilton Bulldogs Foundation will be holding their second annual Bowling with the 'Dogs event on Tuesday, April 9th at Splitsville Entertainment.

Fans have the opportunity to socialize with their favorite Bulldogs players and find out if their skill extends beyond the rink to the bowling alley. There will be special contest lanes running throughout the event as well as door prizes and raffles for Bulldogs merchandise.

The event is a fundraiser for the Hamilton Bulldogs Foundation in support of the "Dawgs Breakfast" Program which funds three high needs Hamilton area schools.

To register or to find out more information please call Brianne Whitty at 905-777-2368 or email Brianne at brianne.whitty@hamiltonbulldogs.com. Limited space available so register TODAY!

Splitsville Entertainment is located at 1525 Stone Church Road East in Hamilton. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bowling starts at approximately 7:15 p.m.

BULLDOGS 2013-2014 SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE

2013-2014 Hamilton Bulldogs season 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. As a special bonus, if you become a new season ticket holder by March 30th you'll get tickets to all four of the team's home games in April for free! For more information on how you can join our team by becoming a 'Dogs season ticket holder call 905-529-8500, 1-866-DOGS-TIX or e-mail ticketing@hamiltonbulldogs.com.

BULLDOGS 2013-2014 SEASON TICKET RENEWALS

Season ticket renewals have begun for the 2013-2014 season. To thank fans for supporting the Bulldogs during their first 17 seasons in Hamilton, fans renewing their season tickets by April 30th will be rewarded with two great gifts - a limited edition Hamilton Bulldogs commemorative stick signed by the whole team and a framed and matted team photo autographed by all of the 'Dogs' coaches and players. For more information, contact your account executive. Call 905-529-8500, 1-866-DOGS-TIX or e-mail ticketing@hamiltonbulldogs.com.

BULLDOGS JOIN 'YOU CAN PLAY' PROJECT

The Bulldogs recently become the sixth AHL team to pledge their support to the You Can Play project which is "dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation".

The Bulldogs joined the Manchester Monarchs, Providence Bruins, Peoria Rivermen, Portland Pirates and Toronto Marlies as other AHL teams to have come out in support of You Can Play, a non-profit organization begun by former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and his son Patrick to fight homophobia in sports in memory of Brendan Burke, Brian's son and Patrick's brother, who was killed in a car accident in 2010.

The Bulldogs' You Can Play project video can be seen on the club's official YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/bulldogstube

Bulldogs' personnel shown in the video in order of appearance are Kyle Hagel, Zack Stortini, president Stephen Ostaszewicz, play-by-play announcer Derek Wills, Frederic St-Denis, Robert Mayer, Joey Tenute, Gabriel Dumont, Louis Leblanc, Jason DeSantis, head coach Sylvain Lefebvre and Nathan Beaulieu.

For more information on you can play, please visit www.youcanplayproject.org

BRUISER'S BUDDIES KID'S CLUB

Do you have a young Bulldogs fan in your life who is also a big fan of Bruiser, the best mascot in the AHL? Then Bruiser's Kid's Club is for you.

Membership is $15 per child (ages 13 and under) and includes the following:

- An exclusive Bruiser's Buddies Kid's Club t-shirt

- One blue ticket to each of the Bulldogs' Kid's Club games:

- Sat. March 9 at 7 p.m. vs. Peoria Rivermen

- Fri. April 19 at 7:30 p.m. vs. St. John's IceCaps

- (Extra tickets for these games are available for $12 each)

- Official 2012-13 game puck

- Set of 2011-12 Bulldogs hockey cards

For more information or to register contact Brianne Whitty at 905-777-2368 or via email at brianne.whitty@hamiltonbulldogs.com

2013 BULLDOGS SUMMER HOCKEY CAMP

The Bulldogs will be running a summer hockey camp at the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre in Hamilton from July 29 to August 2. The full-day camp is for kids between the ages of 7-13 and will feature guest appearances by current members of the Bulldogs' coaching staff and current and former Bulldogs players.

For more information contact Brianne Whitty at 905-777-2368 or via email at brianne.whitty@hamiltonbulldogs.com

BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE

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

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.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS ON AHL LIVE

All Bulldogs games are broadcast on AHL Live where fans can take advantage of mid-season pricing. Every AHL game, including archived games, is available for $189.99. All remaining Bulldogs home and away games are available with a team pass, which also includes archived games, for $99.99 and Bulldogs road games only are available with an away pass, which also includes archived games, for $59.99.

For more information visit 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 Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hamiltonbulldogs and see game highlights and other video features at the Bulldogs' official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/bulldogstube.

Fans can become 'Dogs Insiders by texting "Dogs" to 360-360 for text message alerts and offers. The Bullodgs also run contests every home game, both on social media and at Copps Coliseum, where fans can text a keyword and be eligible to win tickets to an upcoming Bulldogs game!

Do you have a favourite song you'd like to hear at a 'Dogs game? Tweet your request during the third period to www.twitter.com/bulldogsAHL using the hashtag #DogsTrax.

Fans can also converse with Bulldogs staff via Twitter during the game. The 'Dogs will also be looking to connect with their fans with contests, challenges or questions!

TICKET INFORMATION

2013-2014 Hamilton Bulldogs season 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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American Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2013


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