Tangradi's Hat Trick Lifts 'Dogs past Comets, 6-3

March 1, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


UTICA, N.Y. - Hamilton Bulldogs forward Eric Tangradi had the club's first hat trick in more than two years to lift the 'Dogs (28-21-8-0) to a 6-3 win over the Utica Comets (32-18-5-1) at Utica Memorial Auditorium on Sunday afternoon. The last Bulldog to notch three goals in one game was forward Michael Bournival on Feb. 16, 2013, when Hamilton defeated the Houston Aeros, 4-2.

Defenceman Morgan Ellis (one goal, one assist) and forwards Drayson Bowman (one goal, one assist) and T.J. Hensick (three assists) also had multi-point games on Sunday for the 'Dogs.

Comets forward Darren Archibald got his team on the board first with a wrist shot at 8:40 of the opening period, assisted by forward Brandon DeFazio and defenceman Andrey Pedan.

Bowman responded with a wrist shot of his own off the rush to tie the game 1-1 with his 11th goal of the season at 14:17 of the first period, with assists from defenceman Darren Dietz and Hensick.

At 12:27 of the second period, Tangradi buried his sixth goal of the season during a scrambled play in front of the Utica net, assisted by Ellis and Hensick.

Just 59 seconds into the third period, Utica forward Alexandre Grenier found forward Cal O'Reilly with a pass on the doorstep and O'Reilly tied the game for his club, 2-2. Forward Nicklas Jensen had a second assist on the play.

Less than three minutes later, Tangradi found a rebound at the edge of the crease and ripped a backhand shot past Comets goaltender Joacim Eriksson to make it a 3-2 game. Bowman and defenceman Bryan Allen drew assists on Tangradi's second of the night and seventh of the season.

At 5:39 of the final frame, Utica forward Brendan Gaunce fired a one-time shot from the high slot that beat 'Dogs goaltender Mike Condon to tie the game again, 3-3. Grenier and defenceman Peter Andersson were credited with helpers.

Two minutes after that, Hamilton defenceman Morgan Ellis jumped into the offensive zone alone and put a wrist shot between the legs of Eriksson to give the Bulldogs the lead once again, 4-3. Ellis' second goal of the season was unassisted.

'Dogs forward Nick Sorkin gave his team a 5-3 lead when he redirected home a Hensick pass for his eighth goal of 2014-15 at 13:44 of the third period.

With 10 seconds remaining, Tangradi hit the post on an empty net as he was being held up by a Comets defender and was credited with his third goal of the night and eighth of the season to seal it for the Bulldogs, 6-3. Forward Charles Hudon had the lone assist on the play.

Condon made 32 saves on 35 shots for the Bulldogs in the win, while Eriksson stopped 25 of 30 shots faced for the Comets in the loss.

Both teams went 0-for-2 on the power play.

Dan Lawrie Insurance Premium Player of the Game (Hardest Working Player): Morgan Ellis

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday, March 4 when they'll host the Adirondack Flames at FirstOntario Centre at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Hamilton Bulldogs flex tickets, group tickets, single-game tickets and 2015-16 season tickets, call 1-866-DOGS-TIX or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.

Listen to all Bulldogs regular season and post-season games live on Hamilton's AM 900 CHML, on www.900chml.com or watch live on www.ahllive.com. Catch every Friday night home game live in high definition on Cable 14.



American Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2015


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