The Hamilton Bulldogs were unable to hold onto an early two goal lead as they
headed into overtime for the second game in a row. It’s no surprise to fans that
the Bulldogs ended up in extra time, as 60 percent of their games so far this
season have. Although they’ve won three games in OT they have yet to win in a shootout and this wasn’t a different story as they fell to the Abbotsford Heat
3-2.
Hamilton came out strong in the first period and scored early to put them on the board. The first goal came from rookie Justin Courtnall with his first AHL career goal just over a minute into the first. It wasn’t long before
captain Martin St.Pierre made a connection with Nathan Beaulieu and Magnus Nygren to bring the lead to two. Abbotsford would continue to fight through out the first but was unable to finish, as they headed into the first intermission trailing Hamilton by two.
The second period changed things up a bit as the Heat opened up barely over a minute in with a goal from Blair Jones to Hamilton’s lead in half. Jones would then go on to score a second on the powerplay with about
one minute left in the period. At the end of 40 minutes the game was tied at two.
Both Hamilton and the Heat were no strangers to overtime as Abbotsford has ended four games so far this season in extra time. With a scoreless third, the two would head into over time… and just a quick scoreless, five minutes late it would end in a shootout.
Robert Mayer of the Bulldogs was in net, with a chance for his first shootout win of the season after
a loss to Grand Rapids last month. Although he made a total of 35 saves throughout the contest, none of those would be in
the shootout as the Heat put in three straight goals.
Three Stars:
1. ABB – Blair Jones (2 goals)
2. HAM – Martin St. Pierre (1 goal)
3. HAM – Robert Mayer (35 saves)
Highlights:
Hamilton’s next game will take place on Wednesday on the opposite side of the border as they head to Rochester to take on the Americans. Their last matchup with the Americans was at home when they came out on top with a 4-3
OT win. Rochester is sitting at third in the North Division, while Hamilton holds onto first.
The Bulldogs will be back at home next weekend in a Friday night contest against the Grand Rapids Griffins.