The Bulldogs had an “eggcellent” week offensively, notching a dozen eggs…err, goals in just 3 games. Unfortunately, those goals came in just the final 2 games, after losing a heartbreaker 1-0 to Wilkes-Barre on a goal that was highly questionable in the first place. Hamilton came back with a vengeance though, crushing division and playoff rival Edmonton 7-3 on Friday, and 5-1 the following afternoon, propelling themselves into a playoff spot with just 10 games to go.
Ott hurt, Lambert recalled, then re-assigned:
On Thursday, Hamilton recalled W Michael Lambert from Long Beach to take the roster spot of Steve Ott, who had missed the last 2 weeks due to injury. Following the Saturday contest though, Lambert was re-assigned back to Long Beach, and he competed in their Sunday game vs Bakersfield.
By the Numbers:
Antti Miettinen continues to exceed offensive expectations, scoring another 3 points this week, giving him 19 in his last 20 games. Ron Hainsey added another 3 points this week, giving him 10 since Mike Komisarek returned earlier this month. Hainsey has just 19 points on the season, so 53% of his total points have come since #8 returned. After struggling offensively throughout February, Jason Ward now has 8 points in 8 games. Corey Locke added a single assist this week, extending his 1 assist per week stretch to 5, a season high. Jonathan Ferland is averaging a goal per week over the last 3 weeks after finding his way out of Doug Jarvis’ doghouse. Chris Higgins has scored 10 goals in the last 5 weeks, giving him 26 on the season, with 10 games to go. Tomas Plekanec, despite scoring just once this week, is also within striking range of 30; he sits at 24.
Goalie Zone:
For the second straight week, Yann Danis played in every game, winning 2 of 3, and allowing just 1 goal in the loss. He stopped 56/61 shots this week. Weekly Stats: 3 GP, 2-1 record, 1.68 GAA, .918 SV%.
| # | GOALIE | GP | W | L | SOL | SO | GAA | SV% |
| 35 | Yann Danis | 46 | 23 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 2.42 | .921 |
| 30 | Dan Ellis | 28 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 2.82 | .907 |
The Infirmary:
D Dan Focht (shoulder), out for the season
D Phillipe Plante (knee), out 7-10 days
C Steve Ott (undisclosed), status uncertain for Wednesday
Spotlight Stat: Schedule Analysis, Part 3 (Record vs remaining opponents)
Hamilton has just 10 games remaining this season, and is currently holding on to a playoff spot by a thread. Therefore, they’re going to need to win the majority of their remaining games to make the playoffs. Today, we look at the Bulldogs’ remaining schedule, and their records versus their opponents.
Manitoba – 3 games to play Record: 3-2-0-0
St. John’s – 1 game to play Record: 4-4-2-1
Syracuse – 2 games to play Record: 2-1-0-1
Rochester – 1 game to play Record: 2-7-0-0
Grand Rapids – 1 game to play Record: 2-1-0-0
Milwaukee – 2 games to play Record: 1-1-0-0
Totals: 10 games to play Record: 14-16-2-2
Playoff Push:
From here on in until the playoffs, we’ll look at the division standings to see how close Hamilton is to making the postseason. The new playoff format allows just the top-4 teams per division to qualify for the playoffs. Currently, the Bulldogs are in sole possession of 4th, 2 points up on Syracuse. However, the Crunch have a game in hand, and currently hold the first tiebreaker (wins). Now, the standings:
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| X-Rochester | 70 | 48 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 106 |
| Manitoba | 69 | 39 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 88 |
| St. John’s | 70 | 40 | 26 | 1 | 3 | 84 |
| Hamilton | 70 | 31 | 27 | 7 | 5 | 74 |
| Syracuse | 69 | 31 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 72 |
| Cleveland | 70 | 31 | 31 | 2 | 6 | 70 |
| Edmonton | 70 | 28 | 28 | 4 | 10 | 70 |
Teams highlighted in blue are in the playoffs, teams in grey are out as of March 27th, 2005. Teams indicated by ‘X‘ have clinched a playoff berth.
Game Results:
March 23: Wilkes-Barre Scranton 1, Hamilton 0 Scoresheet
March 25: Hamilton 7 Edmonton 3 Scoresheet
March 26: Hamilton 5 Edmonton 1 Scoresheet
Week Record: 2-1-0-0
Season Record: 31-27-7-5, 74 points (4th in division, 8th in conference, current playoff matchup: Rochester)
Team Scoring Leaders:
| Weekly Scoring Leaders | Season Scoring Leaders |
Goals Assists Points | Goals Assists Points |
Weekly Scoring Summary:
1) Ferland (Locke)
2) Miettinen (Plekanec, Archer)
3) Ward (Archer)
4) Begin (Komisarek, Ward) GWG
5) Higgins (Miettinen)
6) Ward (Kostitsyn)
7) Milroy (Morgan)
8) Plekanec (Hainsey, Daley) PP
9) Hainsey (Daley, Higgins) PP, GWG
10) Begin (unassisted)
11) Begin (Ward)
12) Hainsey (Daley, Miettinen)
Special Teams:
This Week:
Powerplay: 3/20 (15.0%)
Penalty Kill: 18/21 (85.7%)
This Season:
Powerplay: 57/384 (14.8%)
Penalty Kill: 291/344 (84.6%)
Upcoming Schedule:
March 30: Manitoba vs Hamilton
April 1: St. John’s vs Hamilton (final regular season game ever vs the Baby Leafs)
April 2: Hamilton vs Syracuse
Week’s Long Beach Transactions:
Mar. 22: Trade W Philip Lewandowski to Peoria for cash, acquire F Marty Clapton from South Carolina for future considerations (3-way trade)
Mar. 24: W Michael Lambert recalled to Hamilton (AHL)
Mar. 27: W Michael Lambert assigned from Hamilton (AHL)
Weekly Results:
March 22: Long Beach 3 Bakersfield 2
March 23: Long Beach 2, Gwinnett 1 (first ever matchup between these teams)
March 25: San Diego 2, Long Beach 0
March 26: Long Beach 5, San Diego 2
March 27: Bakersfield 7 Long Beach 3
The Ice Dogs continue to flirt with 1st place in the conference, after earning 6 of a possible 10 points in a ridiculous 5-game week. With 5 games remaining, the Dogs are 6 points out of first in their division, but sit 3rd overall in the ECHL with a 39-20-8 record. G Olivier Michaud is now firmly entrenched as the backup goalie yet again, after watching newly-acquiring Sebastian Centomo play 4 of 5 games this week.
Player Reports:
C-Christian Larrivee (Long Beach) This Week: 5 GP, 3 A, -3, 4 PIMS Season: 48 GP, 8-18-26, +1, 18 PIMS
C-Cory Urquhart (Long Beach) This Week: 5 GP, 1 G, 3 A, -1 Season: 58 GP, 15-13-28, +1, 12 PIMS
G-Olivier Michaud (Long Beach) This Week: 1 GP, loss Season: 16-14-4-2 record, 2.62 GAA, .916 SV%
D-Matt Shasby (Long Beach) This Week: 5 GP, 1 G, 3 A, -1, 14 PIMS Season: 35 GP, 3-15-18, +14, 46 PIMS
W-Michael Lambert (Long Beach) This Week: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, -2, 10 PIMS Season: 13 GP, 4-2-6, -5, 16 PIMS
D-James Sanford (Peoria) This Week: DNP Season: 17 GP, 2-7-9, -7, 14 PIMS
Upcoming Schedule:
April 1: Alaska vs Long Beach
April 2: Victoria vs Long Beach
April 3: Long Beach vs Fresno
Bulldogs Player of the Week:
Each week, one Hamilton player will be selected as the HabsWorld Player of the Week. At the end of each month, you the fans will be able to vote on the Player of the Month. A different player will be nominated each week.
This week’s top player is C Steve Begin, who seems to be rounding into form after signing with the Bulldogs in February upon completing his recovery from multiple shoulder surgeries. Begin counted for 25% of the Hamilton’s goals this week, with 3/12.
March Weekly Winners:
February 28-March 6: D Ron Hainsey
March 7-March 13: C/W Chris Higgins
March 14-March 20: G Yann Danis
March 21-March 27: C Steve Begin
Previous Monthly Winners (as previously selected:)
October: G Yann Danis
November: C Tomas Plekanec
December: C Corey Locke
January: W Jason Ward
February: G Yann Danis