Milwaukee Admirals – IceCaps Hockey Report

‘DOGS CONTINUE SEASON-LONG HOMESTAND WITH THREE GAMES THIS WEEK

Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly Release

HAMILTON, ON. — The Hamilton Bulldogs will look to rebound from a 1-2-0-0 record this past weekend as the ‘Dogs continue their season-long, seven-game homestand with three more home games this week.

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Bulldogs will host the Milwaukee Admirals (American Hockey League affiliate of the Nashville Predators) at FirstOntario Centre at 7:30 p.m. in the second and final game between the two teams this season, as well as Milwaukee’s only visit to Hamilton in 2014-15. The Ads won the first meeting of the season 4-1 on their home ice on Jan. 3.

On Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17, the ‘Dogs will be visited by the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings) in the first two of four matches between the clubs in 2014-15 and the only two at FirstOntario Centre. Friday’s game starts at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s game is a 7 p.m. puck drop.

THIS WEEK’S GAME SCHEDULE / BROADCASTS (All times Eastern)
Wednesday, Jan. 14 vs. Milwaukee Admirals, FirstOntario Centre, 7:30 p.m. – AHL Live, AM900 CHML
Friday, Jan. 16 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, FirstOntario Centre, 7:30 p.m. – Cable 14, AHL Live, AM900 CHML
Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, FirstOntario Centre, 7 p.m. – AHL Live, AM900 CHML

(All statistics include games through Sunday, Jan. 11)

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE
Record: 16-16-6-0, 38 points … Home: 8-9-3-0, 19 points … Road: 8-7-3-0, 19 points … Standings: T-3rd North Division, T-10th Western Conference … Last 10 games: 3-6-1-0 … Longest winning streak: 2 (Nov. 14 – Nov. 16, Nov. 21 – Nov. 23, Nov. 29 – Dec. 2) … Longest losing streak: 3 (Oct. 25 – Oct. 29; Nov. 7 – Nov. 13) … Leading scorers: F Charles Hudon (38 GP 11-23-34), F T.J. Hensick (38 GP 9-21-30), F Gabriel Dumont (35 GP 7-13-20) … Goaltenders: Mike Condon (20 GP 9-8-3, 2.23 GAA, .930 Save %, 1 SO), Joey MacDonald (16 GP 6-7-3, 2.96 GAA, .902 Save %, 0 SO) … Power play – Home: 10-for-83, 12.0 per cent, 24th AHL … Road: 8-for-67, 11.9 per cent, 23rd AHL … Overall: 18-for-150, 12.0 per cent, 29th AHL … Penalty killing – Home: 66-for-77, 85.7 per cent, T-7th AHL … Road: 62-for-71, 87.3 per cent, 8th AHL … Overall: 128-for-148, 86.5 per cent, 7th AHL … Goals for per game: 2.55, 22nd AHL … Goals against per game: 2.68, T-13th AHL

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE
MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS (Affiliation: Nashville Predators) – Head Coach: Dean Evason … Record: 19-12-2-3, 43 points … Home: 10-7-1-1, 22 points … Road: 9-5-1-2, 21 points … Standings: 2nd Midwest Division, 6th Western Conference … Leading scorer: F Brendan Leipsic (34 GP 4-21-25) … Leading goaltender: Magnus Hellberg (16 GP 8-4-2, 1.77 GAA, .933 Save %, 2 SO) … Power play: 22-for-142, 15.5 per cent, 20th AHL … Penalty killing: 119-for-143, 83.2 per cent, 16th AHL … Goals for per game: 2.81, 11th AHL … Goals against per game: 2.42, 7th AHL … Last 10 games: 6-2-2-0 … All-time series: 15-16-1-1-2 … Last season: 1-1-0-0 … This season: 0-1-0-0 … First-round NHL picks: F Austin Watson (Nashville Predators, 2010) … Ontario-born players: F Michael Liambas (Woodbridge), F Richard Clune (Toronto)

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS (Affiliation: Detroit Red Wings) – Head Coach: Jeff Blashill … Record: 19-12-3-1, 42 points … Home: 9-6-2-1, 21 points … Road: 10-6-1-0, 21 points … Standings: 3rd Midwest Division, 7th Western Conference … Leading scorer: F Teemu Pulkkinen (33 GP 20-19-39) … Leading goaltender: Jared Coreau (9 GP 6-2-1, 1.83 GAA, .938 Save %, 1 SO) … Power play: 25-for-140, 17.9 per cent, 9th AHL … Penalty killing: 107-for-127, 84.3 per cent, T-13th AHL … Goals for per game: 3.14, T-5th AHL … Goals against per game: 2.54, 8th AHL … Last 10 games: 7-2-0-1 … All-time series: 37-30-1-3-5 … Last season: 1-1-0-2 … This season: 0-0-0-0 … First-round NHL picks: F Anthony Mantha (Detroit, 2013) … Ontario-born players: F Colin Campbell (Toronto), F Andreas Athanasiou (London), D Ryan Sproul (Mississauga), G Jared Coreau (Perth)

TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 10 – F Sven Andrighetto assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton Bulldogs
Jan. 8 – F Christian Thomas recalled by Montreal Canadiens from Hamilton Bulldogs
Jan. 8 – F Stefan Fournier assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Wheeling Nailers
Jan. 6 – D Bryan Allen assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton Bulldogs
Jan. 6 – F Jacob de la Rose assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton Bulldogs from IIHF World Junior Championship

INJURY REPORT
F Connor Crisp – Upper and lower body (Day-to-day)
D Magnus Nygren – Upper body (Day-to-day)
F Eric Tangradi – Upper body (Four weeks)
D Jarred Tinordi – Upper body (Day-to-day)

PRACTICE / MORNING SKATE SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Morning skate – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Thursday, Jan. 15: Practice – 11 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Friday, Jan. 16: Morning skate – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Saturday, Jan. 17: Morning skate – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Sunday, Jan. 18: Off day
Monday, Jan. 19: Practice – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Tuesday, Jan. 20: Practice – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Note: Practices and morning skates are closed to the public, unless otherwise specified.

WEEK-IN-REVIEW (Jan. 5-11)
Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 – UTICA 0 @ HAMILTON 3
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ont.
Utica Goals: N/A
Hamilton Goals: Nick Sorkin*, Maxime Macenauer, Jacob de la Rose
Goaltending: Utica: Joacim Eriksson (2 GA, 30 SV) / Hamilton: Mike Condon (0 GA, 27 SV)
Power Play: Utica: 0-for-4 / Hamilton: 0-for-3
* – Game-winning goal

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 – LAKE ERIE 2 @ HAMILTON 1
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ont.
Lake Erie Goals: Joey Hishon, Trevor Cheek*
Hamilton Goals: Charles Hudon
Goaltending: Lake Erie: Calvin Pickard (1 GA, 23 SV) / Hamilton: Mike Condon (2 GA, 27 SV)
Power Play: Lake Erie: 0-for-3 / Hamilton: 0-for-5
* – Game-winning goal

Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 – OKLAHOMA CITY 3 @ HAMILTON 0
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ont.
Oklahoma City Goals: Jason Williams*, Iiro Pakarinen, Andrew Miller
Hamilton Goals: N/A
Goaltending: Oklahoma City: Richard Bachman (0 GA, 26 SV) / Hamilton: Joey MacDonald (2 GA, 28 SV)
Power Play: Oklahoma City: 0-for-2 / Hamilton: 0-for-2
* – Game-winning goal

MOLSON CUP – THREE STARS LEADERS
(1st Star – 5 pts, 2nd Star – 3 pts, 3rd Star – 1 pt)
Player
Points
1. Mike Condon
30
2. Sven Andrighetto
20
3. Charles Hudon
19
4. Daniel Carr
15
T5. T.J. Hensick
13
T5. Gabriel Dumont
13
7. Christian Thomas
8
T8. Mac Bennett
5
T8. Jake Dowell
5
T8. Joey MacDonald
5
T11. Michael Bournival
4
T11. Darren Dietz
4
T11. Nick Sorkin
4
T14. Eric Tangradi
3
T14. Greg Pateryn
3
16. Nathan Beaulieu
2
17. Maxime Macenauer
1

THE DAN LAWRIE INSURANCE PREMIUM PLAYER OF THE GAME
(Hardest-working Hamilton Bulldogs player)
Player
Selections
1. Charles Hudon
8
2. Gabriel Dumont
4
T3. Eric Tangradi
2
T3. Mike Condon
2
T3. Davis Drewiske
2
T3. Greg Pateryn
2
T3. Christian Thomas
2
T3. Mac Bennett
2
T3. Drayson Bowman
2
T10. Joey MacDonald
1
T10. Jack Nevins
1
T10. Darren Dietz
1
T10. Sven Andrighetto
1
T10. Maxime Macenauer
1
T10. Magnus Nygren
1
T10. Nick Sorkin
1
T10. Michael Bournival
1
T10. Jarred Tinordi
1
T10. Dustin Tokarski
1
T10. T.J. Hensick
1
T10. Jacob de la Rose
1

TICKET INFORMATION
Bulldogs flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 1-866-DOGS-TIX or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.

By Dan Kramer, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

POST-GAME AUDIO: Michael Bournival | Sylvain Lefebvre

HAMILTON, ON – It seems the margin between the Hamilton Bulldogs being a competitive team this season and being one that struggles to stay out of last place in the Western Conference was a slim 18. That 18 is the number sophomore forward Michael Bournival wears in the AHL, as Friday night his pair of goals helped the team to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals, improving to 2-0-0 during the winger’s three-game conditioning stint. His return, coupled with solid goaltending from Dustin Tokarski has people in Hamilton believing that a late-season surge to at least make the playoff race interesting is indeed still possible despite the precarious situation in which the club finds itself.

The Bulldogs are no strangers to strong opening periods, but their efforts wouldn’t go unrewarded Friday night. After an 0-for-2 cold streak, Hamilton’s powerplay came to life with Patrick Cehlin in the box just past the five minute mark. Marek Mazanek was scrambling in the crease as a puck came back to Nathan Beaulieu at the point. His heavy slapper went well wide, but ricocheted off the end boards and right back out to Michael Bournival, who quickly batted it into the deserted cage for a 1-0 advantage.

Greg Pateryn's goal and assist helped the 'Dogs win their second straight. (PHOTO: Brandon Taylor, Hamilton Bulldogs) — Greg Pateryn’s goal and assist helped the ‘Dogs win their second straight. (PHOTO: Brandon Taylor, Hamilton Bulldogs)

Another powerplay – the third of four Hamilton would be gifted in the opening stanza – allowed the home team to extend their lead. Greg Pateryn accepted a Martin St. Pierre feed along the blueline, and the d-man took two steps in before firing a wrist shot top shelf past Mazanek, earning his 11th marker on the season. The goal tied Pateryn for fourth in the AHL in that category among all d-men.

Just as common as strong openings has been second period collapses in Hamilton this season, but the Bulldogs were determined not to let up this time around. It was again Bournival in the centre of the action, taking a pass as he charged to the net, and being awarded a penalty shot on a slash despite still managing to get a shot off. With a second opportunity, the former Shawinigan Cataractes captain made no mistake, letting go a quick wrister that deflected off the far post and in.

Milwaukee would try to make a game of it, catching the pair of Morgan Ellis and Drew Schiestel flat-footed in their own end as Mathieu Tousignant found Michael Liambas uncovered on in the slot for a one-timer that beat Tokarski, reducing the lead to two.

Whereas on many nights the first goal against results in a dip in the intensity and level of play of the Bulldogs, Friday they stormed right back to the attack. With Nick Tarnasky creating havoc in front of the goal, a Greg Pateryn point shot deflected off the pugilist’s active stick just as an Admiral defender collided with Mazanek, resulting in the puck trickling through the helpless netminder. A four-goal outburst is a rare occurrence for the team’s anemic offense, evident in the 12-1-0 record they’ve posted when accomplishing such a feat.

After a couple of ineffective third period powerplays for Hamilton, the Admirals found one final breath of life. An odd scrum after an uncalled Mike Blunden board resulted in Hamilton being called for not one but two minor infractions. With both Nathan Beaulieu and Maxime Macenauer in the box, Milwaukee quickly capitalized on the 5-on-3 opportunity as Taylor Beck‘s big point shot beat Tokarski bar-down.

Despite sustained pressure from Milwaukee for the remainder of the powerplay, the ‘Dogs defense – backed by a solid performance from Tokarski – was up to the task, shutting things down the rest of the way in preserving the 4-2 victory.

Coach Sylvain Lefebvre was understandably in a cheerful mood following the win, praising the night’s first star. “I just talked to Montreal, and we’re gonna keep [Bournival],” he joked, before quickly confirming that it was in fact just a three-game conditioning stint. “He never stops working, and he’s a good guy to have around. Everybody loves him. He’s a quiet guy, and just goes about his business.”

While not entirely happy with Sven Andrighetto‘s performance, coach Lefebvre also confirmed he will continue the experiment of skating the Swiss forward at centre. “Wednesday’s game was a better game for him. Tonight he didn’t have the same spark, but he made some good plays with Bournival and Thomas. I’m gonna keep him at centre for now. I think he enjoys playing there and he gets chances.”

Bournival himself was fairly critical of his own play despite his two goals. “I think I need to improve some things in my game, especially defensively. There are some things in my game I need to work on, and I’m gonna try to do that tomorrow. I need to be a little sharper.”

The final game of Bournival’s return to the ‘Dogs will be Saturday night at home against the Abbotsford Heat. It’s the last contest in Hamilton prior to a nine-game road trip that will ultimately decide the team’s end-of-season fate.