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Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly

February 18, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME SCHEDULE/BROADCASTS (All times EST)

Monday, February 18th vs. Rochester Americans, Copps Coliseum, 3 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

Friday, February 22nd vs. Rochester Americans, Bell Centre (Montreal), 7:30 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

Sunday, February 24th vs. Milwaukee Admirals, Copps Coliseum, 3 p.m. - Funny 820 AM

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

Record : 19-24-1-5, 44 points ' Home: 12-8-1-2, 27 points, Road: 7-16-0-3, 17 points ' Standings: 5th North Division ' 15th Western Conference ' Last 10 games: 6-4-0-0 ' Longest winning streak: 4 (Feb. 9-16) ' Longest losing streak: 5 (Dec. 16-26, Jan. 11-21) ' Leading scorers: C Gabriel Dumont (47 GP 15-15-30) ' RW Mike Blunden (44 GP 8-9-17) ' C Michael Bournival (42 GP 6-11-17) ... D Nathan Beaulieu (48 GP 4-12-16) ' Goaltenders: Robert Mayer (26 GP 11-10-3, 2.99 GAA, .900 save %, 0 SO), Dustin Tokarski (34 GP 19-8-4, 2.44 GAA, .901 Save %, 3 SO) ' Power play - Home: 13-for-95, 13.7 percent, 24th AHL ' Road: 9-for-108, 8.3 percent 30th AHL ' Overall: 22-for-203, 10.8 percent, 30th AHL ' Penalty killing - Home: 8-for-100, 92 percent, 1st AHL ' Road: 33-for-133, 75.2 percent, 30th AHL ' Overall: 41-for-233, 82.4 percent, 18th AHL ' Goals for per game: 2.20, 30th AHL ' Goals against per game: 3.12, 28th AHL

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (Affiliation: Buffalo Sabres) - Head Coach: Ron Rolston ' Record: 26-18-2-1, 55 points ' Home: 16-9-0-1, 33 points ' Road: 10-9-2-0, 22 points ' Standings: 4th North Division ' 8th Western Conference ' Leading scorer: C Kevin Porter (47 GP 15-29-44) ' Leading goaltender: David Leggio (39 GP 25-13-1, 2.75 GAA, .917 Save %, 1 SO) ' Power play: 46-for-217, 21.2 percent, 5th AHL ' Penalty killing: 28-for-192, 85.4 percent, 6th AHL ' Goals for per game: 3.45, 2nd AHL ' Goals against per game: 2.98, 22nd AHL ' Last game: Feb. 17 L 4-1 vs. Hershey ' Last 10 games: 7-3-0-0 ' C Kevin Porter is ninth in the AHL in scoring with 15 goals and 25 assists for 44 points. He has six goals and 17 assists for 23 points in his last 17 games. Porter has 10 points, including two goals, in seven games against the Bulldogs this season ' C Brian Flynn, who leads the Americans with 16 goals, has recorded five goals and four assists for nine points in seven games against the Bulldogs. He is seventh in scoring among rookies with 32 points ' RW Mark Mancari is 12th in league scoring with 43 points, including 15 goals. He is fifth in the AHL with 157 shots on goal and has 13 points, including five goals, over his last 10 games ' Porter and Mancari are the only Americans to have skated in each of the team's 47 games ' G David Leggio leads the AHL in wins (25), minutes played (2359:54) and saves (1195). He has started 18 of the Americans' last 20 games, at one point making 15 consecutive starts ' Brayden McNabb is 12th in scoring among AHL defencemen with three goals and 24 assists for 27 points ' The Americans are 20th in the league in penalty minutes, averaging 15.79 per game 'The Americans have opened the scoring in 30 games, compiling a record of 21-7-2-0 in those contests ' The Americans have scored 162 goals, one behind the Charlotte Checkers for top spot in the Western Conference ' Rochester is 14-7-1-1 against North Division foes ' The Americans are sixth in the AHL in power-play efficiency on the road with 21 goals from 104 opportunities (20.2 percent) ' The Americans are 25th in the league at killing penalties on the road having surrendered 18 goals in 91 shorthanded situations (80.2 percent) ' D Nick Crawford marks his 23rd birthday on Feb. 23 ' All-time series: 71-74-7-0-7 ' This season: Eighth and ninth of 12 meetings. Bulldogs lost the first two games, both at Rochester, falling 3-1 on Oct. 23 and 3-2 via shootout on Nov. 2. Bulldogs prevailed 4-3 at home on Nov. 3 and lost 4-1 to the visiting Americans on Nov. 14. Rochester posted a 2-0 win at home on Dec. 31 and beat the visiting Bulldogs 5-2 on Jan. 11. The Americans beat the visiting Bulldogs 6-3 on Jan. 21. The teams will meet at the Bell Centre at Montreal on Feb. 22' First-round NHL picks: C Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo, 2012), D Mark Pysyk (Buffalo, 2010) ' Connections: Bulldogs D Kyle Hagel played three games for the Americans in 2008-09 ' Rochester D Drew Schiestel is a Hamilton native who played two seasons in the OHL for the Niagara IceDogs

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS (Affiliation: Nashville Predators) - Head Coach: Dean Evason ' Record: 23-20-3-3, 52 points ' Home: 15-7-2-2, 34 points ' Road: 8-13-1-1, 18 points ' Standings: 3rd Midwest Division ' 11th Western Conference ' Leading scorer: RW Taylor Beck (42 GP 10-27-36) ' Leading goaltender: Jeremy Smith (36 GP 15-17-3, 2.71 GAA, .909 Save %, 1 SO) ' Power play: 21-for-191, 11 percent, 29th AHL ' Penalty killing: 37-for-188, 80.3 percent, 25th AHL ' Goals for per game: 2.61, 19th AHL '. Goals against per game: 2.90, 20th AHL ' Last game: Feb. 17 W 3-1 vs. Abbotsford ' Last 10 games: 6-4-0-0 ' The game is the third of four consecutive road dates for the Admirals, who will visit the Lake Erie Monsters on Thursday night and the Toronto Marlies on Saturday. The Admirals, who have three wins in their last 10 road games, went 4-3-0-0 during a recent seven-game homestand ' RW Taylor Beck has 11 points, including four goals, over his last 10 games. He is currently enjoying a three-game goals streak ' C Austin Watson is 14th in rookie scoring with 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points ' G Jeremy Smith is fifth in the AHL in minutes played with 2083:09 ' The Admirals are 26th in the AHL in penalty minutes, averaging 13.39 per game ' G Magnus Hellberg has won his last four starts ' The Admirals have won four overtime games, tied for the league lead ' The Admirals have nine power-play goals in 94 opportunities on the road for an effectiveness rating of 9.6 percent, 29th in the AHL ' The Admirals are 15th in the league in killing penalties on the road, having allowed 15 goals in 90 shorthanded situations (83.3 percent) ' The Admirals are 24th in the AHL in shots, averaging 28.51 per game. They allow 30.18 shots per game, 16th in the league ' Milwaukee is 3-3-0-0 against North Division opponents ' The Admirals have scored 128 goals, ahead of only the Abbotsford Heat (118) and the Bulldogs (108) in the Western Conference ' All-time series: 14-13-1-1-2 ' This season: Second of two meetings. The Admirals hung on for a 4-3 win at Milwaukee on Dec. 16 ' First-round NHL picks: C Austin Watson (Nashville, 2010) ' Connections: Admirals LW Brad Winchester scored 26 goals in 40 games for the Bulldogs in 2005-06 ' LW Blake Geoffrion played 67 regular-season games and three in the playoffs over three seasons with the Admirals. He was a second-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft ' RW Zack Stortini played 37 games for the Admirals in 2005-06

TRANSACTIONS

Feb. 14 - G Dustin Tokarski assigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

Feb. 15 - G Peter Delmas reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) from Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

Feb. 16 - G Robert Mayer recalled by Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

Feb. 17 - G Robert Mayer reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

Feb. 17 - G Peter Delmas reassigned by Montreal Canadiens (NHL) to Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

INJURY REPORT

C Blake Geoffrion (depressed skull fracture, November 9th vs. Syracuse at Montreal) is out indefinitely ' C Joonas Nattinen (shoulder, Dec. 28 vs. St. John's) is out indefinitely

PRACTICE/MORNING SKATE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Feb. 19: Practice - 12 pm (Wave Sports Centre - Burlington)

Wednesday, Feb. 20: Community Practice - 6 pm (North Wentworth Community Centre - Flamborough)

Thursday, Feb. 21: Travel Day

Friday, Feb. 22: Morning Skate - 10 am (Bell Centre)

Saturday, Feb. 23: Practice - 4 pm (Copps Coliseum)

Sunday, Feb. 24: Morning Skate - 10 am (Copps Coliseum)

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

February 12: at Hamilton - Bulldogs 3, Marlies 2

Nathan Beaulie u scored on the power play at 17:14 of the third period to lift the Bulldogs to a 3-2 win over the Toronto Marlies in the 12th and final regular-season chapter of the AHL's latest Battle of Ontario before a crowd of 3,814. Outshot 11-3 in the first period, the Bulldogs fell behind 1-0 when Will Acton scored at 18:09. Stefan Chaput tied the game with a power-play goal at 13:48 of the second period, but Joe Colborne put the visitors back in front on the power play at 16:02. Mike Blunden brought the Bulldogs back to equal terms at 17:30 and Beaulieu capitalized after Marlies captain Ryan Hamilton had been sent off for goaltender interference. Gabriel Dumont and Joey Tenute each recorded three assists and goaltender Robert Mayer made 23 saves. Jussi Rynnas faced 28 shots in the Toronto net. The Bulldogs were 2-for-7 on the power play, the Marlies went 1-for-7.

February 15: at Hamilton - Bulldogs 3, Bears 2 (SO)

Stefan Chaput scored the deciding goal in a five-round shootout as the Bulldogs earned a 3-2 win over the Hershey Bears, extending their winning streak to a season-high three games. Chaput opened the scoring at 8:32 of the first period but Ryan Stoa tied the game on the power play at 10:20 and put the Bears ahead on the man advantage at 19:23. The Bulldogs were outshot 12-5 in a scoreless second period and forced overtime when Louis Leblanc tied the game on the power play at 6:30 of the third period. Goaltender Robert Mayer made 34 saves and defenceman Jason DeSantis earned two assists for the Bulldogs, who were 1-for-3 on the power play. Philipp Grubauer made 26 saves for the Bears, who scored on both of their power-play chances. Attendance was 4,287.

February 16: at Hamilton - Bulldogs 4, Aeros 2

Michael Bournival scored three straight goals as the Bulldogs rallied to beat the Houston Aeros 4-2 and extend their winning streak to four games before 4,172 fans. Defenceman Greg Pateryn opened the scoring with his third goal of the season at 6:01 of the first period, but Chad Rau tied the game at 1:59 of the second period and Justin Fontaine put the visitors in front at 12:13. Bournival tied the game on the power play at 4:20 of the third period, scored the winning goal at 15:58 and closed the scoring with a shorthanded goal into an empty net at 19:30. Patrick Holland and Jarred Tinordi each recorded two assists while Dustin Tokarski faced 26 shots in his debut for the Bulldogs, who were 1-for-3 on the power play. Matt Hackett made 29 saves for the Aeros, who were 0-for-7 with the man advantage.

TEAM NOTES

The Bulldogs are 12th in the league in attendance, averaging 5,739 fans per game ' The Bulldogs' four-game winning streak is their longest of their season, eclipsing the two-game runs they had managed on two occasions this season. The Bulldogs, who have trailed in each of those games, haven't allowed more than two goals during any game in that run. Their last four-game winning streak occurred from Feb. 13-19, 2012 ' The Bulldogs are 4-2-0-0 during their run of nine February home dates ' The Bulldogs' visit to Montreal on Friday is their second game of the season in the home of their National Hockey League parent club. The Bulldogs lost 4-1 to the Syracuse Crunch before a crowd of 18,582 ' The Bulldogs are 10-14-1-4 against North Division opponents and 15-19-1-5 against Western Conference foes ' The Bulldogs are 11-4-1-5 in one-goal games ' The Bulldogs are 10-0-0-0 when leading through two periods and are the only team in the league yet to lose in regulation when holding a lead through 40 minutes. The Bulldogs are 4-0-0-0 when leading at home through two periods ' The Bulldogs are averaging 21.04 penalty minutes per game, seventh in the AHL ' The Bulldogs are 10-3-0-1 when scoring first ' The Bulldogs have only allowed eight power-play goals at home, the fewest in the league. The Bulldogs killed off 35 consecutive opposition power plays over nine home games after the San Antonio Rampage scored two in a 5-2 win on Dec. 22. The Toronto Marlies broke that run on Feb. 12 when Joe Colborne connected with the man advantage in the second period. The Bulldogs had killed off five Toronto power plays in that game prior to that goal ' The Bulldogs allow an average of 30.49 shots per game, 17th in the AHL, while taking an average of 28.35 shots per game, 26th in the league. The Bulldogs have been outshot in 28 games this season, posting a record of 7-17-0-4 in those contests. They are 12-7-1-1 when outshooting the opposition. The Bulldogs are 8-2-1-0 when outshooting their opponents at home.

PLAYER NEWS

C Michael Bournival's hat trick against the Aeros was the first of his professional career and the second for a Bulldogs player this season. C Gabriel Dumont scored three goals as part of a five-point night in a 6-3 win over the visiting St. John's IceCaps on Dec. 28. Bournival, who returned to the lineup that night after missing three games with a foot injury, has four points over his last three games ' C Stefan Chaput has two goals and three assists for five points in his last seven games. He leads the Bulldogs with two shootout-winning goals ' In his second stint with the Bulldogs G Cedrick Desjardins appeared in 22 games, compiling a personal record of 7-13-2 with two shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.94 and a .905 save percentage ' C Louis Leblanc has four points, including three goals, in his last six games ' G Robert Mayer has won his last three starts ' D Greg Pateryn has three goals over his last six games. Nathan Beaulieu, DeSantis and Frederic St-Denis lead Bulldogs blueliners in goals with four ' D Joe Stejskal earned an assist against the Aeros, his first point for the Bulldogs since he recorded two assists in a 6-3 win over the visiting Toronto Marlies on Nov. 16. He has three assists in 12 games this season ' D Jarred Tinordi's two assists against Houston marked the first multi-point effort of his AHL career ' G Dustin Tokarski, 23, appeared in 33 games this season for the Syracuse Crunch, posting a record of 18-8-4 with three shutouts, a 2.46 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. He played 146 games over three seasons with the Norfolk Admirals, backstopping them to the Calder Cup title last season. A fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lighting in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Tokarski, a native of Humboldt Sask., appeared in seven games over two seasons for the Lighting, earning his first win on March 19, 2012 with a 33-save effort against the visiting Boston Bruins

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

D Jarred Tinordi turns 21 on Feb. 20

BULLDOGS JOIN 'YOU CAN PLAY' PROJECT

On Wednesday the Bulldogs will become the sixth AHL team to pledge their support to the You Can Play project which is "dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation".

The Bulldogs will join the Manchester Monarchs, Providence Bruins, Peoria Rivermen, Portland Pirates and Toronto Marlies as other AHL teams to have come out in support of You Can Play, a non-profit organization begun by former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and his son Patrick to fight homophobia in sports in memory of Brendan Burke, Brian's son and Patrick's brother, who was killed in a car accident in 2010.

The Bulldogs' You Can Play project video can be seen on the club's official YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/bulldogstube

Bulldogs' personnel shown in the video in order of appearance are Kyle Hagel, Zack Stortini, president Stephen Ostaszewicz, play-by-play announcer Derek Wills, Frederic St-Denis, Robert Mayer, Joey Tenute, Gabriel Dumont, Louis Leblanc, Jason DeSantis, head coach Sylvain Lefebvre and Nathan Beaulieu.

For more information on you can play, please visit www.youcanplayproject.org

FEBRUARY HOCKEY MONTH IN STEELTOWN FLEX PACK

With nine home games in the month of February, the Bulldogs have launched a 10-game Hockey Month in Steeltown flex pack including the following games:

Friday, Feb. 1 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 8 vs. Chicago Wolves 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9 vs. Texas Stars 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 12 vs. Toronto Marlies 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 15 vs. Hershey Bears 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16 vs. Houston Aeros 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 18 vs. Rochester Americans 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 24 vs. Milwaukee Admirals 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 vs. St. John's IceCaps 7:30 p.m.

The flex pack also includes vouchers redeemable for one ticket in the $26, $20 or $17 price range for any February home game or the regular-season finale on April 21 at 3 p.m. against the Rochester Americans which is also Fan Appreciation Day.

The pricing structure for the Hockey Month in Steeltown flex pack is as follows:

Gold: $160

Red: $130

Blue: $110

For more information on the Hockey Month in Steeltown flex pack, call 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX, e-mail ticketing@hamiltonbulldogs.com or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

FEBRUARY THEME GAMES

The Bulldogs remaining theme and event games planned in February include:

Monday, Feb. 18 vs. Rochester Americans 3 p.m.

Family and Faith Game sponsored by CTS

Sunday, Feb. 24 vs. Milwaukee Admirals 3 p.m.

Tim Hortons Jamboree, a day full of fun and activities for kids of all ages.

Season ticketholders can skate with the Bulldogs after the game with a reception to follow at 7 p.m.

Season ticketholders are asked to RSVP by Feb. 20 to Garett Chisholme at 905-546-8182 or Kellin Enslev at 905-546-8175.

BULLDOGS STICK RAFFLE

At their Feb. 9 game against the Texas Stars the Bulldogs launched a month-long raffle of game and practice-used sticks. Between now and the Feb. 26 game against the St. John's IceCaps fans can purchase raffle tickets for $2 each or three for $5 for a chance to win their favourite Bulldogs players' stick. Each player has contributed a stick which has been autographed and adorned with pink tape in honour of the Bulldogs' Pink in the Rink initiative. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation where they will be directed to the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre.

BULLDOGS RETURN TO MONTREAL FEB. 22

The Bulldogs will make their second visit to the Bell Centre in Montreal on Feb. 22 when they entertain the Rochester Americans in a 7:30 p.m. start.

Tickets are available for as little as $15.50, including taxes and service charges.

For tickets and more information please visit:

http://www.evenko.ca/en/show/event/americans-de-rochester-vs-bulldogs-de-hamilton-6699

BRUISER'S BUDDIES KID'S CLUB

Do you have a young Bulldogs fan in your life who is also a big fan of Bruiser, the best mascot in the AHL? Then Bruiser"˜s Kid's Club is for you.

Membership is $15 per child (ages 13 and under) and includes the following:

Â- An exclusive Bruiser's Buddies Kid's Club t-shirt

Â- One blue ticket to each of the Bulldogs' Kid's Club games:

Ø Sat. March 9 at 7 p.m. vs. Peoria Rivermen

Ø Fri. April 19 at 7:30 p.m. vs. St. John's IceCaps

Ø (Extra tickets for these games are available for $12 each)

Â- Official 2012-13 game puck

Â- Set of 2011-12 Bulldogs hockey cards

For more information or to register contact Briann Whitty at 905-777-2368 or via email at brianne.whitty@hamiltonbulldogs.com

BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE

Fans can purchase Bulldogs merchandise during all home games at the "Dawg House" store located behind section 114 on the concourse level at Copps Coliseum. In the store, fans can find hats, t-shirts, jackets, replica jerseys, foam fingers, foam "˜Bone Heads', and other select novelty items for sale. 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic gear will also be available for a limited time.

THE BULLDOGS ON THE AIR

Fans can listen to and watch all 'Dogs games on www.hamiltonbulldogs.com. Live coverage with the team of play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills (all home and away games) and colour commentator Al Craig (all home and select away games) will begin with the Pioneer Pre-Game Show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS ON AHL LIVE

All Bulldogs games are broadcast on AHL Live where fans can take advantage of mid-season pricing. Every AHL game, including archived games, is available for $189.99. All remaining Bulldogs home and away games are available with a team pass, which also includes archived games, for $99.99 and Bulldogs road games only are available with an away pass, which also includes archived games, for $59.99.

For more information visit www.AHLLive.com.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BULLDOGS

Fans can follow the Bulldogs online and watch game highlights, behind-the-scenes video and get breaking news and feature stories at HamiltonBulldogs.com. Fans can get the latest Bulldogs news and information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bulldogsAHL and follow play-by-play broadcaster Derek Wills at www.twitter.com/dogsplaybyplay.

Fans can "Like" the Bulldogs' official face book page at www.facebook.com/hamiltonbulldogs and see game highlights and other video features at the Bulldogs' official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/bulldogstube.

Fans can become "˜Dogs Insiders by texting "Dogs" to 360-360 for text message alerts and offers.

TICKET INFORMATION

2012-2013 Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets, Pioneer Flex Pack tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For as little as $10 per game, you can enjoy the many benefits of being a "˜Dogs season ticket holder including reserved seating for all home games at Copps Coliseum, the option to redeem unused tickets for any regular season game, discounts on team merchandise and access to exclusive season ticket holder-only events with the team. Convenient payment plans are available.

For more information on how to join our team by becoming a Hamilton Bulldogs season ticket holder, or for more information on Pioneer Flex Pack tickets or group tickets, call 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX, e-mail ticketing@hamiltonbulldogs.com or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com. "˜Dogs single-game tickets are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or by calling 905-529-8500 or 1-866-DOGS-TIX.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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