HabsWorld.net --
The 2nd round of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs began this past week for the Hamilton Bulldogs when they hosted the Abbotsford Heat (affiliate of the Calgary Flames) for Games 1 and 2 of the North Division Finals. The series opened at the Dog Pound at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton on Thursday April 29th.
In Game #1, the Bulldogs were defeated by a final score of 3-2.
After a scoreless first period, the Heat opened the game’s scoring at 9:40 of the second frame when the puck was tipped over the shoulder of Hamilton starting goaltender Cedrick Desjardins. The Bulldogs tied the game 1-1 three minutes later when David Desharnais stole the puck off a Heat player and skated down the ice on a two-on-one. Desharnais passed to Aaron Palushaj, who knocked the puck past Abbotsford starting goaltender David Shantz. The Heat regained their lead 72 seconds later, when they scored at 13:12 and then, following the 2nd Intermission, scored once again at 1:21 of the 3rd period to take a 3-1 lead. Brock Trotter brought the Bulldogs close when he scored on the Abbotsford net with 46 seconds remaining. Trotter’s goal was assisted by Ryan White and Mike Glumac, but it was just a bit too late as the Abbotsford Heat hung on for the win and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Game #2 took place on Sunday May 2nd with a rare 2pm afternoon start time for the Bulldogs.
Ryan White put Hamilton on the scoreboard first at 2:30 of the first period. The Heat followed with their first goal of the game at 7:20 to tie up the score 1-1, but the Bulldogs answered right back on the power play when Mike Glumac scored at 8:55 (assisted by Grant Stevenson and Mike Vernace). In the second period, the Dogs further advanced their lead in the game to 3-1 with another power play marker at 8:23. This time, the goal was scored by David Desharnais, with Vernace and Stevenson once again getting the assists. The Bulldogs protected the 3-1 score until the final buzzer, and tied up the series at 1-1.
Following this game, both teams flew out to Abbotsford, British Columbia, where the Heat will host Game #3, 4, and 5.
Game #3 took place on Tuesday May 4th and the Hamilton Bulldogs spoiled the Heat’s homecoming party as they defeated their North Division opponent once again, this time by a final score of 3-2.
Gabriel Dumont and Olivier Fortier each scored their first goals as members of the Hamilton Bulldogs in this game, and Andre Benoit recorded one as well. The various assists were by Brock Trotter (2), David Desharnais, Mike Vernace, Andrew Conboy, and Ryan Russell.
With the win, the Dogs are now up 2-1 in the Series.
