Weekly Preview: Home-and-home Series for Rivals Bulldogs, Marlies

BULLDOGS FACE HOME-AND-HOME WITH MARLIES THIS WEEK

Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly Release

HAMILTON, ON. — Coming off a 2-1-0-0 week that saw back-to-back home victories against the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Hamilton Bulldogs wrap up their season-long, seven-game homestand this week with a home-and-home series against the Toronto Marlies.

On Friday, Jan. 23, the Bulldogs will pay tribute to Hamilton’s fire, police and ambulance services with First Responders’ Night as the ‘Dogs host the Marlies (American Hockey League affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) at FirstOntario Centre at 7:30 p.m. in the eighth of 12 games between the two teams this season.

The Ontario rivals will go head-to-head again on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto at 3 p.m. for the ninth meeting between them this season.

Hamilton’s record against Toronto so far in 2014-15 is 4-2-1-0.

THIS WEEK’S GAME SCHEDULE / BROADCASTS (All times Eastern)
Friday, Jan. 23 vs. Toronto Marlies, FirstOntario Centre, 7:30 p.m. – Cable 14, AHL Live, AM900 CHML
Saturday, Jan. 24 vs. Toronto Marlies, Ricoh Coliseum, 3 p.m. – Cable 14, AHL Live, AM900 CHML

(All statistics include games through Sunday, Jan. 18)

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE
Record: 18-17-6-0, 42 points … Home: 10-10-3-0, 23 points … Road: 8-7-3-0, 19 points … Standings: 3rd North Division, T-8th Western Conference … Last 10 games: 4-5-1-0 … Longest winning streak: 2 (Nov. 14 – Nov. 16, Nov. 21 – Nov. 23, Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, Jan. 16 – Jan. 17) … Longest losing streak: 3 (Oct. 25 – Oct. 29; Nov. 7 – Nov. 13, Jan. 10 – Jan. 14) … Leading scorers: F Charles Hudon (41 GP 11-25-36), F T.J. Hensick (41 GP 10-22-32), F Gabriel Dumont (38 GP 9-14-23) … Goaltenders: Mike Condon (23 GP 11-9-3, 2.20 GAA, .928 Save %, 1 SO), Joey MacDonald (16 GP 6-7-3, 2.96 GAA, .902 Save %, 0 SO) … Power play – Home: 12-for-96, 12.5 per cent, 24th AHL … Road: 8-for-67, 11.9 per cent, 24th AHL … Overall: 20-for-163, 12.3 per cent, 29th AHL … Penalty killing – Home: 72-for-85, 84.7 per cent, 12th AHL … Road: 62-for-71, 87.3 per cent, 9th AHL … Overall: 134-for-156, 85.9 per cent, 9th AHL … Goals for per game: 2.56, T-22nd AHL … Goals against per game: 2.66, T-11th AHL

OPPONENTS AT A GLANCE
TORONTO MARLIES (Affiliation: Toronto Maple Leafs) – Head Coach: Gord Dineen … Record: 17-16-6-0, 40 points … Home: 9-7-3-0, 21 points … Road: 8-9-3-0, 19 points … Standings: 4th North Division, 11th Western Conference … Leading scorer: F Connor Brown (39 GP 11-20-31) … Leading goaltender: Antoine Bibeau (16 GP 8-6-2, 2.44 GAA, .919 Save %, 4 SO) … Power play: 18-for-145, 12.4 per cent, T-27th AHL … Penalty killing: 144-for-180, 80.0 per cent, 28th AHL … Goals for per game: 2.26, 28th AHL … Goals against per game: 2.67, 13th AHL … Last 10 games: 7-1-2-0 … All-time series: 53-44-8-8 … Last season: 6-6-0-0 … This season: 4-2-1-0 … First-round NHL picks: F Carter Ashton (Tampa Bay Lightning, 2009), F Tyler Biggs (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2011), F William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2014), D Stuart Percy (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2011) … Ontario-born players: F Greg McKegg (St. Thomas), F Spencer Abbott (Hamilton), F Josh Leivo (Innisfil), F Ryan Rupert (Grand Bend), F Patrick Watling (Sault Ste. Marie), F Jamie Devane (Mississauga), F Connor Brown (Toronto), F Denver Manderson (Fergus), D Matt Finn (Toronto), D Stuart Percy (Oakville)

TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 18 – D Dalton Thrower re-assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton Bulldogs from Brampton Beast
Jan. 18 – D David Makowski recalled by Hamilton Bulldogs from Wheeling Nailers
Jan. 18 – F Shane Bakker signed by Hamilton Bulldogs to professional try out contract
Jan. 18 – G Joey MacDonald assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton Bulldogs
Jan. 18 – G Frank Palazzese assigned by Hamilton Bulldogs to Wheeling Nailers
Jan. 17 – F Sahir Gill signed by Hamilton Bulldogs to professional try out contract
Jan. 17 – D David Makowski assigned by Hamilton Bulldogs to Wheeling Nailers
Jan. 17 – F Shane Bakker released by Hamilton Bulldogs from professional try out contract
Jan. 16 – G Joey MacDonald recalled by Montreal Canadiens from Hamilton Bulldogs
Jan. 16 – G Frank Palazzese recalled by Hamilton Bulldogs from Wheeling Nailers
Jan. 13 – F Stefan Fournier re-assigned by Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton Bulldogs from Wheeling Nailers

INJURY REPORT
F Drayson Bowman – Illness (Day-to-day)
F Connor Crisp – Upper body (Day-to-day)
F Jack Nevins – Upper body (4-6 weeks)
D Magnus Nygren – Concussion (Out indefinitely)
F Eric Tangradi – Upper body (Day-to-day)

PRACTICE / MORNING SKATE SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
Tuesday, Jan. 20: Off day
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Practice – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Thursday, Jan. 22: Practice – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Friday, Jan. 23: Morning skate – 10 a.m. – FirstOntario Centre
Saturday, Jan. 24: No morning skate
Sunday, Jan. 25: All-Star Break
Monday, Jan. 26: All-Star Break
Tuesday, Jan. 27: All-Star Break
Note: Practices and morning skates are closed to the public, unless otherwise specified.

WEEK-IN-REVIEW (Jan. 12-18)
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 – MILWAUKEE 4 @ HAMILTON 1
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ont.
Milwaukee Goals: Triston Grant, Austin Watson*, Zach Budish, Pontus Aberg
Hamilton Goals: Daniel Carr
Goaltending: Milwaukee: Magnus Hellberg (1 GA, 21 SV) / Hamilton: Mike Condon (3 GA, 21 SV)
Power Play: Milwaukee: 2-for-2 / Hamilton: 0-for-3
* – Game-winning goal

Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 – GRAND RAPIDS 1 @ HAMILTON 2
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ont.
Grand Rapids Goals: Mark Zengerle
Hamilton Goals: Gabriel Dumont (2)*
Goaltending: Grand Rapids: Jared Coreau (2 GA, 32 SV) / Hamilton: Mike Condon (1 GA, 20 SV)
Power Play: Grand Rapids: 0-for-3 / Hamilton: 1-for-3
* – Game-winning goal

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 – GRAND RAPIDS 2 @ HAMILTON 5
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ont.
Grand Rapids Goals: Mitch Callahan, Landon Ferraro
Hamilton Goals: Nick Sorkin, Davis Drewiske, Jacob de la Rose*, Daniel Carr, T.J. Hensick
Goaltending: Grand Rapids: Jared Coreau (5 GA, 22 SV), Pat Nagle (0 GA, 5 SV) / Hamilton: Mike Condon (2 GA, 19 SV)
Power Play: Grand Rapids: 0-for-3 / Hamilton: 1-for-7
* – Game-winning goal

MOLSON CUP – THREE STARS LEADERS

(1^st Star – 5 pts, 2^nd Star – 3 pts, 3^rd Star – 1 pt)

THE DAN LAWRIE INSURANCE PREMIUM PLAYER OF THE GAME
(Hardest–working Hamilton Bulldogs player)

TICKET INFORMATION
Bulldogs flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 1-866-DOGS-TIX or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com.

FIRST RESPONDERS’ NIGHT – FRIDAY, JAN. 23
The Hamilton Bulldogs will pay tribute to the region’s police, fire and ambulance services with First Responders’ Night on Friday, Jan. 23 when the ‘Dogs take on the Toronto Marlies at FirstOntario Centre at 7:30 p.m. Fans at the game will get the chance to see first responders vehicles up close and there will also be a pre-game aerial stunt!

Attendees will also receive a free fries coupon for Stonewalls Restaurant upon exit from the game.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS AUTOGRAPH SIGNING – WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
Join Hamilton Bulldogs defenceman Greg Pateryn and forward Eric Tangradi at Buffalo Wild Wings Stoney Creek (524 Centennial Parkway N) on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 6-8 p.m. where the players will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

MOM OF THE YEAR CONTEST
Do you think your mom is the best? Tell us why and show her how much you care! In 100-200 words, tell us why your mom is the best and she will receive:
– A complimentary ticket for the Bulldogs’ Pink in the Rink Game (Friday, Feb. 13 vs. Toronto Marlies, 7:30 p.m.)
– 1,000 Shoppers Optimum Points courtesy of Shoppers Drug Mart
– A chance to win the overall grand prize: a gift basket plus 200,000 Shoppers Optimum Points from Shoppers Drug Mart

Shoppers Drug Mart will also donate $1 to Juravinski Cancer Centre’s Breast Assessment Centre for each complete application submitted prior to Feb. 1.

WEEKEND PROMOS
Every weekend Bulldogs game offers a great promotion! Every Friday home game is Y108 $3 Beer Night, with $3 beers until puck drop and live music in the Molson Canadian Hockey House. Saturdays will once again be Family Night, featuring special meal offers courtesy of Maple Lodge Farms. And every Sunday will be the Kids’ Game, with post-game autographs and skate for children aged 14 and under.

WINNING WEEKDAYS
If the Bulldogs win on a weekday night (Monday to Thursday) at home, everyone in attendance at that game will receive a free ticket voucher to the next weekday night game. If the ‘Dogs win their last weekday game of the season, everyone in attendance can redeem their voucher on Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, April 18.

BULLDOGS MERCHANDISE
Fans can get all their Bulldogs merchandise at shop.hamiltonbulldogs.com or during home games at the “Dawg House” store, located behind section 114 on the concourse level at FirstOntario Centre. There are several great items fans can purchase to show off their Bulldogs pride, including hats, t-shirts, jackets, replica jerseys, foam fingers and other select novelty items.

WATCH LIVE ON AHL LIVE
Watch the Bulldogs while they’re on the road with AHL Live! Now you can watch all the best hockey action from wherever you are…live on your computer or smartphone. AHL Live online is the only place where you can catch every game, from every AHL team, all season long! Visit www.ahllive.com for more information.

CATCH THE ‘DOGS ON HAMILTON’S CABLE 14
Watch 16 Bulldogs games this season live in high definition on Hamilton’s Cable 14, including every single Friday night home game! Cable 14 will also carry Sunday afternoon road games on Jan. 24 and March 28 when the ‘Dogs visit the Toronto Marlies at Ricoh Coliseum. For more information, visit www.cable14.com.

LISTEN LIVE ON HAMILTON’S AM900 CHML
Listen to all Bulldogs regular season and post-season games live on Hamilton’s AM900 CHML or on www.900chml.com. Play-by-play announcer Matt Holmes calls the action for all regular season and post-season games and is joined by colour commentator Al Craig for home games. AM900 CHML broadcasts feature a pre-game show hosted by Rick Zamperin and post-game show hosted by Anthony Urciuoli.