HAMILTON, ON — Well, after 19 years, AHL hockey in Hamilton is now over.
The Hamilton Bulldogs finished their regular season in a shootout at the FirstOntario Centre on Saturday night against the Lake Erie Monsters in front of 10,326 loud fans. It was an exciting game, but the Bulldogs came up short in their first shootout of the season.
The match marked the final game of AHL hockey in the City, as the team is relocating to St. John’s, Newfoundland for the 2015-16 season.
The Lake Erie Monsters opened the scoring with a goal from Cody Corbett who tucked the puck behind Bulldogs goaltender Brandon Whitney.
Shortly after the Corbett goal, the Bulldogs got one back to tie the game courtesy of Eric Tangradi.
The Bulldogs entered the first intermission tied, 1-1, with the Monsters. However, the second period would see much more action.
In the middle frame, TJ Hensick buried his 19th goal of the season giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. But then the Monsters responded on the power play after Stefan Fournier went off for too-many men and Stefan Elliott notched the tying goal.
Lake Erie’s goal scoring did not end there, as they regained the lead.
Freddie Hamilton scored his 11th goal of the 2014-15 campaign on the power-play just after the Monsters tied the game.
At this point, the Bulldogs were really pressing hard for a tying goal, but they finished the period down by one after forty minutes of play.
The Bulldogs were able to tie the game about five minutes into the frame with Christian Thomas blasting one by Calvin Pickard after a nice pass from Sven Andrighetto.
The Bulldogs and Monsters did not find the score sheet in the final exciting 15 minutes of the period, which saw several chances at both ends of the ice, so 60 minutes was not enough and the game needed an overtime period.
The overtime period did not have a goal scorer, but let me tell you this: That overtime period was the entertaining seven minutes of hockey I have watched this season. The Bulldogs had over five chances to end the game in overtime but Pickard stopped everything, including a sprawling glove save. It’s unfortunate, the game needed to be decided in the shootout, where the Monsters came out on top.
The Hamilton Bulldogs were on the road to take on the Adirondack Flames at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Bulldogs goaltender Joey MacDonald made 39 saves to lead Hamilton to a 2-1 overtime (3-on-3) victory.
Hamilton Bulldogs Media Release
HAMILTON, ONT. – Hamilton Bulldogs forwards Charles Hudon and Eric Tangradi each registered a goal in the ‘Dogs first game of an eight-game stretch away from FirstOntario Centre to lead Hamilton (29-23-9-0) to a 2-1 win over the Adirondack Flames (29-22-5-1) in 3-on-3 overtime on Tuesday night at Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, N.Y.
GAME SUMMARY
After a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs broke the 0-0 tie 3:46 in to the second period when Hudon fired a wrist shot that beat a sprawling Flames goaltender Brad Thiessen on a two-on-one break. Forward Sven Andrighetto recorded an assist on Hudon’s 14th goal of the season.
The ‘Dogs carried the lead in to the third period, then 13:16 into the third stanza, Adirondack forward Bill Arnold found a loose puck near the net and beat Bulldogs goaltender Joey MacDonald top shelf. The 1-1 goal was assisted by forward Ken Agostino.
At 4:47 of overtime, Andrighetto picked up his second assist of the game on a pass to forward Eric Tangradi, who beat Flames goaltender Thiessen with a wrist shot on an odd-man rush for his 10th goal of 2014-15. Defenceman Greg Pateryn had a second assist on the goal. With the win, the Bulldogs recorded their first victory in 3-on-3 overtime.
MacDonald made 39 saves on 40 shots for the Bulldogs in the win, while Thiessen stopped 31 of 33 shots faced for the Flames in the loss.
Hamilton went 0-for-3 on the power play, while Adirondack was 0-for-4 with a man advantage.
Dan Lawrie Insurance Premium Player of the Game (Hardest Working Player): Greg Pateryn
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday, March 13 when they’ll visit the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Rochester, N.Y. at 7:05 p.m. Hamilton’s next home game is Sunday, March 15 when the club will host the Toronto Marlies at Bell Centre in Montreal, Que. at 1 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.
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ON — The Hamilton Bulldogs started their three-game homestand on Wednesday night at the FirstOntario Centre against the Adirondack Flames with record of 28-21-0 placing them second in the North Division with 62 points.
GAME RUNDOWN
Although the Hamilton Bulldogs had several quality scoring chances in the first period, the Adirondack Flames entered the first intermission with a 1-0 lead thanks to Garnet Hathaway. It was Hathaway who scored his 12th goal of the season beating Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Mike Condon over the right shoulder.
The Bulldogs had a breakaway opportunity and a 2-on-1 chance, which saw the puck hit the crossbar. Towards the end of the period, the Bulldogs headed onto the power-play and forward TJ Hensick failed to snap the loose puck into the wide open net with just seconds left. Hamilton finished the period with 15 shots on goal, Adirondack 14.
The Bulldogs got their first goal of the game on the power-play after a shot went off the backboards and in front of Brad Thiessen who was out of position and Eric Tangradi batted the puck into the net for his ninth goal of the season.
The Bulldogs got a second power-play of the game, and with four seconds left forward Drayson Bowman put the Bulldogs up 2-1 thanks to a feed from Tangradi just beside the net.
The Flames tied the game at 2-2 with Mark Cundari picking the puck at the blueline for a breakaway chance, which beat Condon giving Cundari his sixth goal of the season.
The Flames extended their lead to 3-2 with 8:37 to go in the second with Nolan Yonkman shooting the puck from the point with Max Reinhart tipping the puck in.
Max Reinhart scored his second goal of the game with a wicked wrist shot that would go top shelf over Condon. The Bulldogs left the period down 4-2 after forty minutes of play.
With 8:32 to go in the period, Bulldogs captain Gabriel Dumont shot in the rebound to make it a one goal game. That was Dumont’s 16th goal of the season and the Flames led 4-3.
The Bulldogs tied up the game thanks to Daniel Carr who cleaned up the rebound and put it top shelf. The Bulldogs and Flames did not score a late third period goal and this game went to overtime, thanks to Carr’s game tying goal.
The Bulldogs and Flames entered overtime but there was no goal scoring in the first five-minutes of play, so the 3-on-3 feature came into play. During the 3-on-3, the Flames capitalized and scored the game winning goal, thanks to Taylor Vause who netted the goal.
CANADIENS RECALL ERIC TANGRADI FROM BULLDOGS
6-4, 221-pound forward has six points in 11 games with Bulldogs this season
Hamilton Bulldogs Press Release
MONTREAL, QUE. – Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Bulldogs general manager Marc Bergevin announced today the Canadiens have recalled forward Eric Tangradi from the Bulldogs.
In 11 games with Hamilton this season, the 6-4, 221-pound forward has recorded six points (two goals, four assists) and 18 penalty minutes.
In 136 career National Hockey League regular season games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets, the Philadelphia, Pa. native has recorded 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) and 69 penalty minutes. In 189 career American Hockey League regular season games with the Bulldogs and Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, the 25-year-old has recorded 127 points (62 goals, 65 assists) and 232 penalty minutes.
Tangradi was originally selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (42nd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The Canadiens acquired him from the Jets in exchange for goaltender Peter Budaj and forward Patrick Holland on Oct. 5, 2014.
The Bulldogs return to action this weekend when they face a home-and-home series with the Lake Erie Monsters. The ‘Dogs will visit the Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m., then they’ll host the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche at FirstOntario Centre on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
Hamilton Bulldogs 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, 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.
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ONT — The Hamilton Bulldogs entered tonight’s contest against North Division rivals, the Toronto Marlies, hoping to find their way back to the win column as they suffered a 3-2 loss to the league leading Utica Comets on Wednesday. They did just that, taking down the Marlies 2-1 on home ice.
GAME RUNDOWN
The thing with these Bulldogs – Marlies games is, they play each other 12 times this season, because well, it’s AHL hockey and they’re just a quick 30 minute bus ride down the highway. But, one thing is for sure, each game they play is exciting and it’s a ton of fun to watch – and tonight was no different.
Although there was no score after the first period of play, we saw a ton of action, that reassured us that the Bulldogs and Marlies don’t really like each other.
David Broll and Jack Nevins dropped the glove 15 minutes into the opening frame. I would say the fight would draw an even card, after both players threw multiple punches one after another.
It’s worth noting that Mike Condon made a handful of easy glove saves, which kept the game scoreless.
The second period would see its first goal of the game, but from the opposing Marlies squad.
David Booth, who was sent down to the AHL from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday for conditioning purposes, scored his first goal of the season as he buried a shot that came off the backboards on the power-play.
Towards the end of the period, a scary incident took place as Jake Dowell hit Marlies defenceman Viktor Loov directly in the head, with him colliding into the boards.
Sam Carrick stuck up for his player and dropped the gloves with Dowell.
Loov went directly to the dressing room, but then came back out for the final few minutes of the game and he appeared to be okay.
The third period saw the Bulldogs tie the game on the power-play, as Charles Hudon blasted a shot from the point, which beat Christopher Gibson on the blocker side.
With about five minutes left in the third period, the Bulldogs scored, but it was waived off immediately as Eric Tangradi went to the box for goaltender interference. No goal, and it was the right call.
At the end of 60-minutes of play, the Bulldogs and Marlies remained tied 1-1, so in came the overtime.
With 2:22 left in overtime, defenceman Greg Pateryn scored the game winner with a helluva slap shot, that beat Gibson on the blocker side.
Bulldogs take the game 2-1, to improve to a 7-8-2 record.
WHO WAS IN, WHO WAS OUT?
Scratches: Mac Bennett
Injuries: Christian Thomas
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs are back in action on Sunday, as they travel down the QEW to take on the Toronto Marlies for the fourth time this season.
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ONT — After losing back-to-back games to the Adirondack Flames last weekend, the Hamilton Bulldogs look to rebound with a two-game set in St. John’s against the IceCaps tonight and Friday.
The Bulldogs have gone 4-6-2 thus far this season and have struggled to win at home, but are better on the road this year. The ‘Dogs are 3-2-0 on the road and have scored 16 goals, accumulating 6 points. While at home at the FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton has four points and a record of 1-4-2.
The IceCaps have struggled to string along wins this season, as they’re 3-8-4 on the young AHL season, and hold a 2-2-2 record on home ice.
The good news for the Bulldogs tonight, forward Eric Tangradi, who missed 7 games with injury is back in the lineup tonight, while Rene Bourque will make his Bulldogs’ debut tonight after being sent down earlier this week by the Montreal Canadiens.
According to Bulldogs play-by-play guy Matt Holmes, Christian Thomas and Jack Nevins will not play tonight as they’re out with injuries.
We will see goaltender Joey MacDonald in net for the Bulldogs tonight. MacDonald is 3-3-1 so far this season with a 2.70 GAA and a .897 SV%.
You can catch the game on AHLLive, or on the radio at AM 900 CHML.
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
Twitter: @Dale_Bulldogs | @BulldogsReport
HAMILTON, ONT — The Hamilton Bulldogs started the week off at home on a good note with a huge win over the Rochester Americans at FirstOntario Centre during the annual school day game in front of 13,000 loud school kids, defeating the sluggish Amerks 6-1. The Bulldogs then hosted the Adirondack Flames for a two game set on Friday and Saturday, but the outcome would not be in favour of the struggling Bulldogs’ team.
THE WEEKEND
Despite back-to-back losses, the Bulldogs played well at times, especially in the second period during Saturday’s game when Sven Andrighetto scored on the power-play, (yes, the power-play) to give the ‘Dogs a 2-1 lead. But then the Bulldogs would show similar signs of last season with mid-late period blowouts.
Both losses on Friday and Saturday resulted in third period blowouts. The Flames would score a total of six goals in two periods this weekend to rob the ‘Dogs from what looked like a victory.
“Tonight [Saturday] was just three shifts. We were soft in front of the net and we didn’t get those rebounds.” said Bulldogs head coach Sylvain Lefebvre post-game on Saturday. “Our second period tonight was probably the best all season offensively. In the third period, I don’t know what happened. It’s sad to see, but at least the guys battled to the end.” said Lefebvre.
Last season in Hamilton, the Bulldogs would play a really good first period where they would typically score a goal, but then they would let the game get out of control and the opponent would score multiple goals in both the second and third periods leading them to a victory. But a big issue with the 2013-14 roster was that they were not an offensive power-house team and that would be their issue all season. They just could not score.
But that is not the case with the 2014-15 Bulldogs squad.
This season, the Bulldogs are scoring multiple goals a game – and so they should with the current roster that has been iced. On paper, the Bulldogs should be a playoff contender. But unfortunately, we continue to see similar period blowouts; this time in the third period, like last year.
The Bulldogs need the defence to setup and stop trying to rely on the goaltending, something that was well used last season. And the forwards need to stay consistent and continue to score. At least we know the Bulldogs can now score, but they need to tighten up defensively and let the goaltenders breath a little, and of course, play a full 60-minute game.
”You can’t take one shift off, you can’t take five minutes off and then leave. But we took three minutes off and they scored three goals.” said Bulldogs captain Gabriel Dumont post-game on Saturday. “I think we’re feeling a little too comfy when we come back from the second going into the third period. Just need to stay focused.” said a frustrated Dumont.
Now that the ‘Dogs are aware of this issue, they may be able to turn things around this week in St. John’s?
THIS WEEK
The Bulldogs will travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland for a back-to-back series against the IceCaps on Thursday and Friday, and then back home in Hamilton for a game against the Rochester Americans at FirstOntario Centre.
The IceCaps have played 15 games (as of Sunday) and are currently 15th in the Eastern Conference and hold a 3-8-4 record. If the Bulldogs can take advantage of the struggling IceCaps team and come home with at least a win, or two, and get back above the .500 mark, then that should set them up nicely for their game against the 7th place Americans in the Western Conference.
If the Bulldogs can leave the upcoming week with a 2-1-0 record, then that would be good because they will be above .500 and their upsetting week which saw two back-to-back losses to the Flames will be behind them. A 3-0-0 record would be even better, but lets be reasonable here.
BY THE NUMBERS
The power-play sits at 29th overall (7.7%)
Home: Hamilton has had 30 power-play opportunities at home this season, scoring only 3 goals for a PP% of 10.0.
Road: The Bulldogs have had 22 power-play opportunities on the road this season, scoring only 1 goal for a PP% of 4.5. Sit 30th overall
The penalty-killing is tied for third overall in the AHL with a PK% of 90.0.
The PK on Saturday night was good, minus the Flames first goal. But the ‘Dogs had a few quality chances to score and Maxime Macenauer was able to shoot a puck off the post after a solid rush up the wing to the Flames’ net.
“I think we have a pretty good PK right now.” said Dumont. ”If we can put a little bit of pressure on the entries and turnovers we’ll be good.”
INJURY UPDATE
Coach Lefebvre told me on Saturday that they hope to see Eric Tangradi, who’s been out with a lower-body injury, rejoin the team on the trip down east. He is considered day-to-day.
(Mandatory Credit: Brandon Taylor / Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club)
(Mandatory Credit: Brandon Taylor / Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club)
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ONT — The Hamilton Bulldogs entered this afternoon’s matinee having lost their last game to the same opponent, the San Antonio Rampage on Saturday, and tonight was no different. The Rampage sunk the Bulldogs by a score 5-2 in front of 2,299 fans. With the loss, the Bulldogs have yet to win a game on home ice this season.
GAME RUNDOWN
The Bulldogs would find themselves down a goal after the first period of play, as Rampage forward Connor Brickley would net his second goal of the 2014-15 AHL season after he came flying down the wing, blasting the puck by Joey MacDonald‘s blocker side.
The power-play struggles continued for the Bulldogs in the first period. They had three opportunities on the man advantage but failed to get anything going as they could not get back in the offensive zone after the Rampage cleared the puck.
The first fight of the game came at the 8:09 minute mark, with Jack Nevins and Shane O’Brien dropping the gloves as Nevins laid a huge check on the veteran AHL defenceman O’Brien.
The Bulldogs started the second period with some good speed and they had multiple chances, but it wouldn’t end the way they wanted as the Rampage extended their lead to 4-1.
But the Bulldogs scored their first goal of the game as Christian Thomas chipped a shot that bounces off a defenseman and over goaltender Dan Ellis.
Shortly after the ‘Dogs got on the board, Jonathan Racine hit Charles Hudon from behind, causing the rookie forward to need some assistance getting off the ice. Hudon stayed on the bench and did not leave to the dressing room, while Racine got a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit.
The Rampage took the lead on 4-on-4, as Rocco Grimaldi scored the goal and then seconds later, McFarland ripped a shot past MacDonald after he flew down the wing.
The Rampage fourth goal of the game was also a nice one, as Wilson came down the wing and chipped a shot over MacDonald’s shoulder for a nice top shelf goal.
Towards the end of the period, Finley, Dowell and Nevins dropped the gloves with a few Rampage players causing a min-line brawl.
For the third period, the Bulldogs would score their second and only goal of the game with a nice point shot from Gabriel Dumont and Rampage goaltender Dan Ellis did not see the shot as he was screened.
The remainder of the period would see back and forth action, but the Rampage scored thier final goal of the game in the empty net. Wilson was credited with the goal and the Rampage would take the game by a score of 5-2.
Game Notes
Head coach Sylvain Lefebvre said froward Eric Tangradi is out with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day, while Magnus Nygren is has a lower-body injury and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
Next Game
The Hamilton Bulldogs will travel to Buffalo to take on the Rochester Americans at FirstNiagara Centre. The Bulldogs next home game will be also against Rochester at FirstOntario Centre for the Bulldogs annual school day game.
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
(Photo by Hamilton Bulldogs)
TORONTO, ONT — The Hamilton Bulldogs travelled down the 403 to Toronto to take on the Marlies for the second time this season. The Marlies spoiled the Bulldogs home opener at FirstOntario Centre exactly one week ago and tonight it was the Bulldogs with the victory, defeating the Marlies by a score of 4-1.
GAME RUNDOWN
In the first period, the Hamilton Bulldogs would take the first lead of the game, as recently-recalled Nathan Beaulieu would score his first AHL goal of the season. Michael Bournival, who was also sent down this week by the Montreal Canadiens, was credited with the primary assist after he made a nice feed to Beaulieu. The young defenceman tucked the puck behind Marlies goaltender Antonie Bibeau.
The Bulldogs would see two power-play opportunities in the first period, but they struggled to get out of their own zone and to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. On top of that, the Marlies also had several chances on the penalty-kill. To be more specific, they had more chances down a man than the Bulldogs did up a body.
Hamilton goaltender Joey MacDonald faced 10 shots on goal in the opening period, and he made at least four big gloves saves to keep the Bulldogs up 1-0. MacDonald played a key period for the ‘Dogs, which allowed them to enter the first intermission up 1-0.
In the middle frame, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-0, with goals coming from Sven Andrighetto and Eric Tangradi. Andrighetto scored the Bulldogs second goal with a nice top shelf snipe two minutes into the period, and Tangradi scored his first as a Bulldog’ on the power-play, after he chipped the puck over Bibeau’s right shoulder.
MacDonald continued his strong play in the second period, and made two more nifty gloves saves, keeping Hamilton in the lead.
Towards the end of the period, both the Marlies and Bulldogs started to get under each others skin as there were multiple scrums with players ready to drop the gloves.
The remainder of the period saw a lot of back and forth play between the two clubs. The Bulldogs managed to outshoot the Marlies 11-5 in the second with a much stronger period offensively and defensively.
Moments after the third period started, Marlies forward Sam Carrick ran over MacDonald, causing his helmet to fly off his head. MacDonald showed some discomfort and was helped by the trainer, but was fine to continue the game.
The Marlies scored their first and only goal of the game on the power-play. Greg McKegg scored his first of the season as hhis inital shot snuck past MacDonalds glove side and into the net.
Charles Hudon then went off moments after the the Marlies power-play goal for slashing and this is when the game started to pick up. However, the Bulldogs killed off the minor with very little issue.
The game would now get intense with the Marlies producing multiple chances, but MacDonald was able to shut the door and Tangardi scored his second goal of the game with the empty net. 4-1 final for the Bulldogs who lost back-to-back games last weekend.
The season series between the 403 rivals is now at one a piece with 10 more games on tap this season.
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow as they play host to the San Antonio Rampage at FirstOntario Centre.
Preseason Game 3 Away game 3 | Sunday October 5, 2014 | Bulldogs win Mary’s Cup series 2-1!
Game Recap:
On Sunday, the Winnipeg Jets acquired goaltender Peter Budaj from the Montreal Canadiens. The trade also included two players participating in the Mary’s Cup meaning forwards Patrick Holland and Eric Tangradi had to switch dressing rooms just prior to the game. Tangradi wore No. 45 in his first game for Hamilton.
The Bulldogs took advantage of offensive zone pressure after the expiration of a powerplay to get on the board first with a goal from defenceman Joe Finley at the 9:14 mark of the first period.
The penalty-killers were put to work in the second period as the Dogs ran into penalty trouble. Bulldogs goaltender Joey MacDonald and his IceCaps counterpart, Connor Hellebuyck, ensured that just one goal was on the scoreboard after 40 minutes.
The strong play of both goalies continued in the third period. Daniel Carr gave the Bulldogs some breathing room with a goal midway in the third frame. Less than a minute later Riley Brace notched a shorthanded goal. Brace added an empty-netter to seal the win and the series victory in St. John’s.
Plus / Minus
▲ Daniel Carr, Joey MacDonald, Riley Brace, Mac Bennett
