The 2004-05 AHL Regular Season is now underway, and the Hamilton Bulldogs have, despite a lousy opening schedule of 3 games in 3 days, compiled a strong 2-0-1-0 record, including winning their home opener Sunday afternoon 4-3 over the Manitoba Moose, a team that they had lost twice to in the preseason. Hamilton was a very busy team this week, bringing back a familiar face, and compiling their opening night roster.
Welcome Back Ron:
Earlier this week, the Bulldogs officially signed Ron Hainsey to an AHL-only contract. Reports out of Montreal surfaced a couple of weeks ago, claiming a deal was imminent. However, Hainsey had some other matters to attend to, which delayed the signing until now. In 3 games this season, he is pointless, with 4 PIMS and a -1 rating.
Final Roster Movements:
Hamilton released their final roster on Thursday, cutting just one player, tryout defenceman Derick Martin. Earlier, it was assumed he had won a spot, but it now appears he has been released. No other cuts were made, due to a pair of injuries to key players, D Mike Komisarek, and RW Antti Miettinen. Interesting stat to note, only 8 true regulars from last season are back, a large turnaround from a 2nd round team.
Familiar face coming back?
Reports out of Hamilton are claiming that former AHL All-Star Jason Ward may be following the same route as Hainsey in signing an AHL contract. As of now, he has not yet signed, but if and when he does, his addition will make the Bulldogs a significantly better team.
Goalie Zone:
Training camp ended with no clear cut starter for Doug Jarvis’ squad. Dan Ellis got the opening night start, a 3-2 loss in OT to Edmonton. Yann Danis has started both games since, winning both, stopping 55 of 58 shots.
Game Results:
October 15: Edmonton 3, Hamilton 2 (OT)
October 16: Hamilton 1, Edmonton 0
October 17: Hamilton 4, Manitoba 3
Week Record: 2-0-1-0
Season Record: 2-0-1-0 (2nd in West)
Team Scoring Leaders:
Goals:
Andrei Kostitsyn (1)
Corey Locke (1)
Jonathan Ferland (1)
(4 others tied with 1)
Assists:
Marc-Andre Thinel (2)
Trevor Daley (2)
Dan Jancevski (2)
Points:
Marc-Andre Thinel (3)
Dan Jancevski (2)
Trevor Daley (2)
(3 others tied with 2)
Weekly Scoring Summary:
1) Kostitsyn [1] (Jancevski) SH
2) Plante [1] (Morgan)
3) Thinel [1] (Ferland, Daley) GWG
4) Higgins [1] (unassisted) SH
5) Locke (Daley, Thinel)
6) Ferland (Thinel, Jancevski)
7) Milroy (Locke, Plante) PP GWG
Special Teams:
Powerplay: 1/19 (5.3%)
Penalty Kill: 17/18 (94.4%)
Upcoming Schedule:
Oct. 22: Hamilton @ Philadelphia
Oct. 23: Binghamton @ Hamilton
Oct. 24: Edmonton @ Hamilton