HabsWorld.net --
The Hamilton Bulldogs continue to put up the points this week, despite what is quickly becoming a weaker and weaker offensive attack. Friday night, the Dogs could barely muster an attack, falling 5-3 to Philadelphia. One night later, Hamilton forced overtime, but there, they fell 2-1 to the Senators. Back at home though, they managed to pick up the W, defeating the Roadrunners 3-2 in overtime. The Bulldogs also welcomed back a familiar face this week, and he is quickly paying dividends.
Welcome Back Wardo:
Earlier this week, Hamilton signed Canadiens RW Jason Ward to an AHL-deal. This move had been reported for some time, but took until now to actually be done. In 3 games so far, the probable Bulldog captain has recorded 3 points (1 in each games), a goal and 2 assists, playing alongside Tomas Plekanec, who, in that span, has scored 4 goals.
Roster Move:
D James Sanford was assigned this week to Peoria of the ECHL, a bit of a surprising move in that he wasn’t sent to Long Beach, the Canadiens ECHL affiliate. However, his rights belonged to Atlantic City, and an agreement was reached to send him to the Rivermen, but not the Ice Dogs.
AHL Roster Expansion:
In a move that had been called for in recent weeks, the AHL announced this week that it would expand the playing roster from 17 skaters to 18 for this season only. Many teams were complaining that they had to scratch several quality players because of the influx of NHL talent. From the Bulldogs perspective, this enabled Cory Urquhart and Benjamin Carpentier to finally get some playing time.
Goalie Zone:
Like last week, the ‘Dogs had to play 3 games in as many nights. And like last week, Dan Ellis started the first game, while Yann Danis got the other two. And like last week, Ellis lost his start, but by no fault of his, stopping 45 of 50 shots in a game where the Bulldogs barely came to play. Danis suffered his first career pro loss on Saturday, making 29 saves on 31 shots in the OT loss to Binghamton, but rebounded the next day, turning aside 23 of 25 shots in a win over Edmonton.
The Infirmary:
D Mike Komisarek (hip), out 3-4 weeks
D Jean-Phillipe Cote (shoulder), out 7-10 days
C Antti Miettinen (shoulder), out 5-6 months
The Weekly Bulldogs Stat Pack:
Game Results:
October 22: Philadelphia 5, Hamilton 3
October 23: Binghamton 2, Hamilton 1 (OT)
October 24: Hamilton 3, Edmonton 2 (OT)
Week Record: 1-1-1-0
Season Record: 3-1-2-0 (2nd in West)
Team Scoring Leaders:
Goals Assists Points Goals Assists Points
Weekly Scoring Leaders
Tomas Plekanec (4)
Jason Ward (1)
Andrei Kostitsyn (1)
(one other with 1)
Ron Hainsey (4)
Corey Locke (2)
Jason Ward (2)
Tomas Plekanec (4)
Ron Hainsey (4)
Jason Ward (3)
(one other with 3)
Season Scoring Leaders
Tomas Plekanec (4)
Corey Locke (2)
Andrei Kostitsyn (2)
Ron Hainsey (4)
Corey Locke (3)
Marc-Andre Thinel (2)
(three others with 2)
Corey Locke (5)
Tomas Plekanec (4)
Ron Hainsey (4)
Weekly Scoring Summary:
1) Plekanec (Hainsey, Ellis) PP
2) Ward (Hainsey, Locke)
3) Plekanec (Milroy, Hainsey) PP
4) Plekanec (Hainsey, Ward) PP
5) Kostitsyn (Locke, Carpentier)
6) Locke (Higgins, Kostitsyn)
7) Plekanec (Ward) OT GWG
Special Teams:
This Week:
Powerplay: 3/20 (15%)
Penalty Kill: 12/16 (75%)
This Season:
Powerplay: 4/39 (10.3%)
Penalty Kill: 29/34 (85.3%)
Upcoming Schedule:
October 29: Philadelphia vs Hamilton
October 30: Hamilton vs Syracuse
October 31: Manitoba vs Hamilton (TV-SNET)
