Bulldogs Fade in the Third, Flames Win 4-3

By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report 

HAMILTON, ONT — For two consecutive games, the Hamilton Bulldogs have blown a lead in the third period to the Adirondack Flames, resulting in back-to-back losses. Yesterday, the Flames defeated the ‘Dogs 3-1, scoring three unanswered goals in the third period, and tonight scoring three goals in the third period, to take down the struggling Hamilton team 4-3.

GAME RUNDOWN 

The first period would see both teams scoring a goal. The Hamilton Bulldogs scored the games first goal, after Gabriel  Dumont stole the puck while the Adirondack Flames were on the power-play, but was denied by Flames goaltender Joni Orito. But luckily enough, Jacob De La Rose picked up the rebound and scored a shorthanded goal and his first ever as a Bulldog.

Moments after the ‘Dogs got on the board, the Flames came back right away scoring a goal on the power-play as Garnet Hathaway was found all alone in front and was able to bury his third goal of the season to tie the game.

With 42 seconds left in the period, Connor Crisp and Bryce Van Brabant dropped the gloves for a heated scrap in front of the Bulldogs bench. Crisp landed multiple punches to the face of Van Brabant, but Van Brabant took him down and he kept swinging and the officials had to intervene.

Bulldogs goaltender Mike Condon made several key saves for Hamilton in the opening frame, notably in the first five minutes of the period.

The Bulldogs were able to take a 2-1 lead in the second period as Sven Andrighetto scored the tally for the ‘Dogs on the power-play. Yes, that’s right. The power-play. It’s been well documented that Hamilton has struggled on the man advantage this season, but they finally potted one and it’s pretty refreshing.

The physicality would continue to pick up in the second period as Jack Nevins dropped  the gloves with Mark Cundari because he wanted to defend his teammate  sticks up for Christian Thomas, who was hit hard at centre ice by Cundari.

Despite Hamilton allowing one goal on the penalty-kill tonight, you have to give credit where its due because they have been pretty decent. The Bulldogs had several chances to score when down a man.

In the third period, we would see a very similar outcome form Friday’s game.

Bryce Van Brabant was able to jam a rebound past Condon to tie the game, but moments later Condon had a tough go with a  rebound and Turner Elson put the Flames ahead.

After Sylvain Lefebvre called a timeout, Condon  made a great first save bet then had a little trouble getting up in his crease after stopping a few shots and Mathieu Tousigant was able to sneak one by to give the Flames a 4-2 lead.

But the Bulldogs tried to make a comeback but they just could not.

They had multiple chances on the power-play but they just could not convert.

Magnus Nygren, who just came back into the lineup after sitting out a few games due to injury, fired a wrist shot from the point past Ortio.

But that wouldn’t be enough for the Bulldogs to tie the game, as the Flames held on to secure a 4-3 victory.

The Flames leave Hamilton with successfully sweeping the weekend series against the Bulldogs. The two teams will meet six more times this season.

Notes: 

• The Attendance for tonight’s game at FirstOntario Centre: 2,485.
• Head coach Lefebvre told me post game that Eric Tangradi is considered day-to-day and he hopes to see him back in the lineup on the trip in St. Johns this coming week.