By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ONT — The Hamilton Bulldogs took on the Adirondack Flames for their first-ever meeting tonight in front of 2,284 fans at FirstOntario Centre. The Bulldogs entered tonight’s match having won their last game on Tuesday in front of 13,000 loud school kids for the annual school day game, by dropping the Rochester Americans by a score of 6-1. But tonight, the ‘Dogs were burnt by the Flames by a score of 3-1.
GAME RUNDOWN
The Bulldogs had the games first and only goal of the first period, as ‘Dogs leading scorer with nine points, Charles Hudon, fed T.J. Hensick a nice pass right in the slot where he tucked away the puck past Adirondack Flames goaltender Brad Thiessen‘s glove side.
The Bulldogs took three minor penalties in the opening frame, but were able to successfully kill the minor infractions.
The remainder of the period would see typical back and forth play, and notably a nice physical presence from the Bulldogs blueline, specifically from Greg Pateryn, who played a good game on the backend.
The second period would go scoreless, but there were multiple chances at both ends of the ice, however both goaltenders would make the saves.
Five minutes into the third period, Hudon had an early chance to extend the ‘Dogs lead on a breakaway opportunity, but he shot the puck off the post.
Seconds after the Hudon chance, the Flames got their first goal of the game after David Wolf one timed a shot that beat Hamilton’s goaltender Joey MacDonald past his glove hand.
With only five minutes to go in the third frame, the Flames took the lead as Turner Elson sniped a wicked shot top shelf.
In the final two minutes of the game, the Flames extended their lead to 3-1 after Bryce Van Brabant tucked away the lose puck in MacDonald’s crease.
The Bulldogs drop the first game of a back-to-back to the Flames.
Hamilton is back in action tomorrow as they host the Flames for the second game of this weekend set.
Stay tuned to Bulldogs Hockey Report as I will bring you coverage of the morning skate Saturday at 10 a.m. from FirstOntario Centre.