Bulldogs Lose at Home to Rampage, 4-2

By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report

HAMILTON, ONT — The Hamilton Bulldogs entered their second game in three nights on a good note, as they defeated the rival Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum on Friday by a score of 4-1. It was a good outing for the Bulldogs, who have secured at least a point in their first four games played, but tonight, the Bulldogs could not come out on top, as the San Antonio Rampage took the game by a score of  4-2.

GAME RUNDOWN 

The Rampage opened the scoring in the first period, as John McFarland rushed the Bulldogs net and tucked the puck past goaltender Mike Condon. The Bulldogs then tied the game after Michael Bournival made a nice pass to Sven Andrighetto, who shot the puck past Rampage netminder Michael Houser to tie the game at one a piece.

The game would see a lot of back and forth chances for both teams, which saw the ‘Dogs hold possession of the puck for a good chunk of the period.

Midway through the opening period, Bournival stole the puck from the Rampage defender and created an odd man, 2-on-1 rush with Charles Hudon, the Bulldogs leading scorer, who then sniped the puck past Houser’s blocker side.

About five minutes later, the Bulldogs were awarded a power-play, but it wouldn’t go as planned. Rampage forward Brett Olsen was able to score his second goal of the season after Bulldogs defenceman Nathan Beaulieu coughed the puck up on the blueline, giving the Rampage the opportunity to create an odd man rush.

The second period would see the Bulldogs go scoreless and the Rampage extend their lead by two goals. Defenceman Steven Kampfer would deke by Hamilton’s defenders to score a nice backhand goal. It was a pretty nifty goal and it was Kampfer’s second tally of the season.

San Antonio’s second goal of the period and fourth of the game came with five minutes remaining in the period as MacKenzie Weager built momentum on an odd man rush and fed Bobby Butler a sweet cross-crease pass that was shot high over Condon’s blocker side.

In the third, there wasn’t much action expect for a few chances from both the Rampage and Bulldogs. But towards the end of the period, the ‘Dogs were trying hard to get on the board and tie as they were neatly cycling the puck in the offensive zone, potting a few shots on goal but the Rampage held on to secure the 4-2 win in Hamilton.

Dan Lawrie Player of the Game: Mike Condon

Mike Condon was awarded the Dan Lawrie Player of the Game for his outing tonight between the pipes. Condon had to make several game changing saves, which kept the Bulldogs within reach.

Next Game 

The Bulldogs are back at it tomorrow, as they conclude their three games in three nights series against the Rampage at 3:00 p.m. ET.