Hamilton 2004-05

[seventeen]

NWTHabsFan said:

Tonight they face the Baby Ducks (*crappy wine flashback*).....

And I thought I was the only one who remembers that stuff, How about Apple Jack?

[Bob]

Listening to Bulldogs games makes me ill especially when we play St. John's. It is like they are playing a road game.

I would like to see that franchise almost anywhere that is a long way from Toronto.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

seventeen said:

And I thought I was the only one who remembers that stuff, How about Apple Jack?

Mmmm, Barnes Sauterne.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Stats Update

Goals:
Locke and Plekanec 12, Ott 9, Higgins and Ward 8

Assists:
Locke, Plekanec and Daley 12, Ott 11, Higgins and Milroy 10

Points:
Locke and Plekanec 24, Ott 20, Higgins 18, Ward and Milroy 16

+/-:
(Good) Locke +8, Archer, Lambert, Jancevski and Ott +2
(Bad and Ugly) Hainsey and Thinel -8, Morgan, Plante, Milroy and Plekanec -7

PIM:
Ott 121, Ivanans 120, Focht 84, Jancevski 75, Morgan 69

PPG:
Plekanec 6, Ward 5, Locke and Milroy 4, Sanford 2

SHG:
Higgins 2, Kostitsyn, Morgan and Ward 1

GWG:
Plekanec, Ott, Higgins, Ward and Milroy 2

Shots:
Plekanec 125, Higgins 109, Daley 83, Ward 82, Ott 80

Shot %:
Locke 20.0, Kostitsyn 15.4, Milroy 12.5, Ott 11.3, Ward 9.8

*

Goalies:
Danis 11-9, 2 SO, 2.33, .925
Ellis 4-12, 1 SO, 2.66, .912

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

M. said:

Stats Update

Goals:
Locke and Plekanec 12, Ott 9, Higgins and Ward 8

Assists:
Locke, Plekanec and Daley 12, Ott 11, Higgins and Milroy 10

Points:
Locke and Plekanec 24, Ott 20, Higgins 18, Ward and Milroy 16

+/-:
(Good) Locke +8, Archer, Lambert, Jancevski and Ott +2
(Bad and Ugly) Hainsey and Thinel -8, Morgan, Plante, Milroy and Plekanec -7

PIM:
Ott 121, Ivanans 120, Focht 84, Jancevski 75, Morgan 69

PPG:
Plekanec 6, Ward 5, Locke and Milroy 4, Sanford 2

SHG:
Higgins 2, Kostitsyn, Morgan and Ward 1

GWG:
Plekanec, Ott, Higgins, Ward and Milroy 2

Shots:
Plekanec 125, Higgins 109, Daley 83, Ward 82, Ott 80

Shot %:
Locke 20.0, Kostitsyn 15.4, Milroy 12.5, Ott 11.3, Ward 9.8

*

Goalies:
Danis 11-9, 2 SO, 2.33, .925
Ellis 4-12, 1 SO, 2.66, .912

Interest stat is that the diminuative Jiri Hudler, like Locke, is leading his AHL team in +/- despite having played only 12 games and scoring 12 points. Must be something about small slow guys with outstanding hockey sense. Plus minus is a stat that creeps up on you. You don't get picked in the three stars, and it isn't noticed right away, but it's there for winning teams and winning players. Powerplay points aren't included to skew the totals so the quality of ice time is less of an issue.

[Skilly]

M. said:

Stats Update


Goalies:
Danis 11-9, 2 SO, 2.33, .925

Isn't he 11-9-3 ...... which to me translates as 11-12, because in a shootout whether we like it or not it is entirely the goalie's fault if the team wins or loses. Great goalies are great one on one, average goalies are so-so, and bad goalies suck (not saying Danis sucks by saying this - cause he doesn't - just saying he lost 3 shoot outs (can you switch your goalie to start the shootout? Ellis hasn't lost one yet.). To me a loss is a loss is a loss and there should be no reward for it.

[blaise]

Of course it's a loss. It's also obvious that a goalie's W-L record is improved by having teammates who are better shooters. Finally, one reason Ellis doesn't have overtime or shootout losses is that he doesn't play well enough to get into OT.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Benoit Dusablon Retires

Thu, January 13, 2005

The Hamilton Bulldogs have announced that forward Benoit Dusablon has announced his retirement from professional hockey. Dusablon had been suffering from neck spasms and did not play in any games with the Bulldogs this season.

Benoit Dusablon said, “I've done everything that I could to fix my problem, and it did not go away, so the only option left was to move on with my life. Health is more important than anything else. However, I wish the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Montreal Canadiens all the best.”<br>
Dusablon, a-25-year-old native of Ste-Anne-de-la-Perad, Quebec, signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens on August 24, 2004. Dusablon has played in 123 career games in the AHL from 2001-2004, all with the Hartford Wolf Pack, earning 26 goals and 45 assists for 71 points. Last season, Dusablon saw action in three games with the New York Rangers (NHL) and posted two penalty minutes, while going scoreless.

- www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2005/01/13/897559.html

[blaise]

Very unfortunate for Dusablon.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

M. said:

Benoit Dusablon Retires

Thu, January 13, 2005


Dusablon, a-25-year-old native of Ste-Anne-de-la-Perad, Quebec, signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens on August 24, 2004.

- www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2005/01/13/897559.html

Sad to see anyone that young have to change professions for health reasons. He can always fall back on setting up a string of ice-fishing huts.

[NWTHabsFan]

M. said:

Benoit Dusablon Retires

Thu, January 13, 2005

The Hamilton Bulldogs have announced that forward Benoit Dusablon has announced his retirement from professional hockey. Dusablon had been suffering from neck spasms and did not play in any games with the Bulldogs this season.

Benoit Dusablon said, “I've done everything that I could to fix my problem, and it did not go away, so the only option left was to move on with my life. Health is more important than anything else. However, I wish the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Montreal Canadiens all the best.”<br>
Dusablon, a-25-year-old native of Ste-Anne-de-la-Perad, Quebec, signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens on August 24, 2004. Dusablon has played in 123 career games in the AHL from 2001-2004, all with the Hartford Wolf Pack, earning 26 goals and 45 assists for 71 points. Last season, Dusablon saw action in three games with the New York Rangers (NHL) and posted two penalty minutes, while going scoreless.

- www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2005/01/13/897559.html

What a shame, as I had some hopes that this guy would bring some decent size and scoring to the team. Injuries have really made a mess of this team since day one, with Miettenen, Cote, Komisarek and Dusablon all missing the start, with only Cote returning. Now with Hainsey and Kostitsyn out, and Morgan missing a few in between, the team is just hanging in.

Anyway, tough decision no doubt, but you have to put your health and life after the game first.

[blaise]

Perezhogin scored 2 goals for Avangard Omsk against HV 71 Sweden.

www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=111350

However, Dan Linn commented that the Swedish goaltender was especially weak (the score was 9-0).

[NWTHabsFan]

The Bulldogs should get a boost on offense soon as Dallas prospect, Antti Miettinen, is scheduled to return to action at the end of this month (source: Hamilton's CHsports and the Spectator as reported on the Hamilton Bulldogs message board). Miettinen was injured in training camp and has yet to play for his adopted team, but he has decent credentials for a young guy. He did manage 16 games with the Stars last season and finished the year in the AHL. In 2002-03 while in the sm-liiga in Finland, he won the league MVP award and had two straight seasons of about 1.0 ppg. He also received several opportunities to play for Team Finland in various international events/cups.

www.hamiltonbulldogs.com/BulldogsTeam/miettinen_antti.html

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Locke gets a goal tonight playing on a line with Ferland? and Carpenter?
Shouldn't he be paired with guys who can score when he feeds them?
I never envisioned him on a line with checkers.
Kostitsyn 0 goals, Ward 0 goals, Plekanec 0 goals? I must be missing something that Jarvis sees.............................like losses.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Bulldogs Leading Scorer Going to Second Consecutive All-Star Game

Thu, January 27, 2005

The American Hockey League announced today that Hamilton Bulldogs forward Tomas Plekanec has been named to the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team roster for the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, to be played next month at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Plekanec, a 22-year-old native of Kladno, Czech Republic, also played in last year’s All-Star Classic, and becomes just the second Bulldogs player selected to play in the All-Star game in two consecutive seasons (Benoit Gratton 2003 & 2004).

The 5’ 10, 189 pound centre has competed in all 46 Bulldogs games this season and currently leads the club in goals (15), points (31), power-play goals (7), and shots on goal (151). Plekanec is also tied with Steve Ott for most Bulldogs assists with 16.

Plekanec is currently in his third season with the Bulldogs and stands fifth in All-Time scoring with 143 points on 57 goals and 86 assists in 197 games played.

The Montreal Canadiens originally selected Plekanec in the third round, 71st overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic will take place at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, home of the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs (affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings). The event gets underway on Sunday, February 13, with the 2005 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 7:00 p.m. The annual All-Star Game follows at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 14, and will be televised live on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Higgins continues emergence
Leads Hamilton with four points on week
(02/01/2005)

HAMILTON – In yet another impressive week of play, Chris Higgins offered further proof that the future of the Canadiens is very bright, indeed.

Higgins, Montreal’s top pick at the 2002 draft, continued to show flashes of greatness in leading the Bulldogs with three goals and an assist in a trio of Hamilton home games. The 21-year-old product of Yale University was a one-man wrecking crew in his team’s Jan. 28 tilt with Syracuse, setting up Tomas Plekanec’s 16th of the season before banging in a pair of insurance goals in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 blanking of Syracuse. The offensive output was an AHL-best for Higgins, who after a slow start to the season has upped his production markedly in recent months and showed NHL-level grit and determination in the process.

- tinyurl.com/6vpwn

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

M. said:

Higgins continues emergence
Leads Hamilton with four points on week
(02/01/2005)

In a trio of games against the Crunch and Americans last week, Jason Ward (No. 16) helped lead the Hamilton offense with three points.
HAMILTON – In yet another impressive week of play, Chris Higgins offered further proof that the future of the Canadiens is very bright, indeed.

Higgins, Montreal’s top pick at the 2002 draft, continued to show flashes of greatness in leading the Bulldogs with three goals and an assist in a trio of Hamilton home games. The 21-year-old product of Yale University was a one-man wrecking crew in his team’s Jan. 28 tilt with Syracuse, setting up Tomas Plekanec’s 16th of the season before banging in a pair of insurance goals in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 blanking of Syracuse. The offensive output was an AHL-best for Higgins, who after a slow start to the season has upped his production markedly in recent months and showed NHL-level grit and determination in the process.

- tinyurl.com/6vpwn

I'm really stretching for something to be optimistic about, but;

In the last ten years we've marvelled at the skill levels of Eoropean players and attributed it to their coaching, training, hard work, and emphasis on drills vs game experience.

Is it possible that the 400 guys over in Europe will learn something, eventually come back, and share what they've learned.

Ribeiro coaching a bunch of pee-wee players in a Stanstead Quebec training camp on skills and drills isn't too far fetched; or am I just digging through a pile of horse Saperlipopette looking for a pony?

Multiply that by 400 players and multiply that by 10 coaches and 50 kids each.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Milroy shines as Bulldogs stumble
Hamilton drops three straight by single goals
(02/09/2005)

HAMILTON – As the 2004-05 AHL season draws toward its stretch run, the Bulldogs find themselves faced with critical games earlier than most.

On the heels of three consecutive losses by a total of three goals, Hamilton entered the week tied for fifth in the North Division, a daunting 11 points out of a playoff position with 29 games remaining. At 19-21-6-5, the club is knotted with Syracuse at 49 points apiece in the division, yet the Crunch, at 21-20-4-3, hold three games in hand.

Cleveland, last in the North at 21-25-1-4, are just two points back of the Bulldogs with an equal amount of games played.

- tinyurl.com/5nno2

[blaise]

Gad, aren't there even minimal literacy standards for becoming a hockey writer? Equal number of games played, not amount!

[NWTHabsFan]

Hamilton's D corps is down a few troopers with both Focht and Plante gone for the long haul due to injury, very likely the rest of the season. That leaves Hainsey, Jancevski, Daley, Cote, Archer and Sandford to hold down the fort. Carpentier can play D in a pinch and there is always Matt Shasby in Long Beach who is back from injury. I would expect that Shasby could see a callup sooner rather than later as I don't expect to see Wardo playing any more shifts on D this season!!

I haven't heard any new information about Komo's recovery from his surgery, other than the recycled talk that suggested an end of February possibility. This team needs some strengthening down low, and Komo would fit that bill...at least a healthy and in game shape Komo. In Saturday's Globe, they had a big pic of the Habs dressing room showing how empty it was, but Komo's spot was noticeably full of all his equipment. I guess he is not locked out or else hasn't had any need for his equipment of late.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

LAMBERT ASSIGNED TO LONG BEACH
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005

The Hamilton Bulldogs have announced that forward Michael Lambert has been assigned to the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL.

Lambert, a 20-year-old native of Trois Rivieres, Quebec, played in 40 games with the Bulldogs this season and earned seven points on three goals and 4 assists. The 6-2, 196 pound forward also had 18 penalty minutes.

The Montreal Canadiens originally selected Lambert in the fourth round, 99th overall at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

- www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2005/02/22/939023.html

[NWTHabsFan]

M. said:

LAMBERT ASSIGNED TO LONG BEACH
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005

The Hamilton Bulldogs have announced that forward Michael Lambert has been assigned to the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL.

Lambert, a 20-year-old native of Trois Rivieres, Quebec, played in 40 games with the Bulldogs this season and earned seven points on three goals and 4 assists. The 6-2, 196 pound forward also had 18 penalty minutes.

The Montreal Canadiens originally selected Lambert in the fourth round, 99th overall at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

- www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2005/02/22/939023.html

With Miettinen back from injury, Lambert and Carpentier were the odd men out. This will just get tougher with Begin getting into game shape and joining the roster very soon. So, Lambert was watching the game from the stands, not the ideal situation for a 20 year old in his first pro season. At least in Long Beach, he should get more ice time and he will be reunited with his ex-Rocket teammate Cory Urquhart.

[blaise]

Higgins continues to be hot. He's now second on the team in scoring and has worked himself up to +4.

[NWTHabsFan]

Blaise said:

Higgins continues to be hot. He's now second on the team in scoring and has worked himself up to +4.

Lately he really seems to be generating lots of chances when he is on the ice. He has a real good hockey sense and goes to the net a lot more. He plays a much more complete game, as he now is far more effective along the boards due to his off season strength work, he has good speed (as evidenced by his SH goal last night), and has decent hands (ditto on that same goal - it was a beauty). A true two-way player.

[NWTHabsFan]

The North Division playoff race is sure heating up. Tonight, Cleveland handed Edmonton its third straight loss against Cleveland. What makes things tough is the Road Runners are on a 12 game road trip since the Rexall Place is being taken over for the Brier*. Cleveland now closed the gap to within one point of both the Dogs and Syracuse, who both are only 4 points behind Edmonton and 9 points behind St. John's. The Dogs travel to Cleveland for a pair against the Barons this Friday and Saturday before an afternoon tilt against the Road Trip Runners on Sunday. Big weekend approaching for the boys. Komo is reported to be heading with the team on the bus, so hopefully he is ready to go.

* Note: Over 260,000 tickets sold to date according to Randy Ferbey who was out at our Curling Club tonight as part of the Brier promo tour to the home club of the 12 participating teams. That's a lot of tickets!

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

NWTHabsFan said:

Cleveland now closed the gap to within one point of both the Dogs and Syracuse, who both are only 4 points behind Edmonton and 9 points behind St. John's. The Dogs travel to Cleveland for a pair against the Barons this Friday and Saturday before an afternoon tilt against the Road Trip Runners on Sunday.

M. said:

On Saturday, March 5th [2005], the Barons will host the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7:00pm. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a Garrett Stafford Bobblehead.

- www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3093078&l_id=&t_id=

Oh, to be an evil marketing genius.

[NWTHabsFan]

Well, Mr. B's much anticipated Battle of the Bobbleheads went to the Dogs.

As for upcoming games, big ones against Albany (Wed), Chicago (Fri), Grand Rapids (Sat) and Edmonton (Sun). A special note about Chi-Town, it appears as though their roster is being bolstered by two San Antonio top notch prospects from Florida, Bouwmeester and Weiss. It appears as though Florida management wants their players to get some post season experience and San Antonio isn't cutting it, so they have swung a deal to move the players temporary for some dough. Wonder how much of this will happen now that the door has opened.

- Sportsnet Link -

[seventeen]

The Roadies lost to Chicago tonight, 3-2, so the Dogs gain another game on Edmonton. Syracuse is the more likely challenger for Hamilton. Proving that last night's win was a key one.

[HabbaDasher]

Anyone know the forward lines and D-pairings Jarvis is using?

Higgins-Plekanec-Mettinen
Kostitsyn-Begin-Ward
? -Locke- ?
? -Ott- ?

Hainsey-Komisarek
? -Archer

[BadCompany]

HabbaDasher said:

Anyone know the forward lines and D-pairings Jarvis is using?

Higgins-Plekanec-Mettinen
Kostitsyn-Begin-Ward
? -Locke- ?
? -Ott- ?

Hainsey-Komisarek
? -Archer

Kostisyin - Begin - Ward
Higgins - Plekanec - Miettenen
Thinel/Carpentier - Morgan - Milroy
Ivanans - Locke - Ferland

Hainsey - Komisarek
Daley - Jancevski
Archer - Cote

Ott and Plante are currently injured.

Locke's line in theory is the 4th line, but they've been outplaying Morgan's line of late, and getting more ice time because of it...