Hamilton Bulldogs 07-08

[NWTHabsFan]

Dogs beat Lake Erie 5-1 today to get back in the winning ways. That was their fourth win in five games, all which were played in seven nights, so that was a hectic stretch for the boys. Yann Danis was in net for his fifth victory of the season.

Locke, Carle and D`Agostini are all riding modest point streaks.

www.hamiltonbulldogs.com/index.php?module=newser&func=display&nid=700

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Mathieu Biron???
Down in California I get no news about the Bulldogs.
The Sunday LA Times had stories on high school wrestling in UTAH, but not a single line about the World Junior Championships.
Trading away Traverse for a bag of pucks would have been a good move. Getting a 6'6" defenseman is better than a bag of pucks. For a while Biron was scoring too.

Whahappened to him?? Anybody??

Archer, O'Byrne, Komisarek and Biron are all big enough for us to forget our riches in the speedy smurf forward department.
Archer, learn to fight before picking on guys that are bigger than you.
O'Byrne, keep your thumbs inside your fist.
Komisarek, you're more valuable on the ice than in the box.
Biron, where are you?

[NWTHabsFan]

habsfaninla said:

Mathieu Biron???
Down in California I get no news about the Bulldogs.
The Sunday LA Times had stories on high school wrestling in UTAH, but not a single line about the World Junior Championships.
Trading away Traverse for a bag of pucks would have been a good move. Getting a 6'6" defenseman is better than a bag of pucks. For a while Biron was scoring too.

Whahappened to him?? Anybody??

Archer, O'Byrne, Komisarek and Biron are all big enough for us to forget our riches in the speedy smurf forward department.
Archer, learn to fight before picking on guys that are bigger than you.
O'Byrne, keep your thumbs inside your fist.
Komisarek, you're more valuable on the ice than in the box.
Biron, where are you?

HFLA, he has been injured for most of the season, but had some decent games when he came back. Only 4 games played and one goal in those games so far this season.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

nwthabsfan said:

habsfaninla said:

Mathieu Biron???
Down in California I get no news about the Bulldogs.
The Sunday LA Times had stories on high school wrestling in UTAH, but not a single line about the World Junior Championships.
Trading away Traverse for a bag of pucks would have been a good move. Getting a 6'6" defenseman is better than a bag of pucks. For a while Biron was scoring too.

Whahappened to him?? Anybody??

Archer, O'Byrne, Komisarek and Biron are all big enough for us to forget our riches in the speedy smurf forward department.
Archer, learn to fight before picking on guys that are bigger than you.
O'Byrne, keep your thumbs inside your fist.
Komisarek, you're more valuable on the ice than in the box.
Biron, where are you?

HFLA, he has been injured for most of the season, but had some decent games when he came back. Only 4 games played and one goal in those games so far this season.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

habsfaninla said:

nwthabsfan said:

HFLA, he has been injured for most of the season, but had some decent games when he came back. Only 4 games played and one goal in those games so far this season.

Thx for the update!


He seemed like a scorer as well as a big body, and a lot younger than Traverse. Hope he heals and joins Locke on the Big Hab's soon.

[habmeister]

habsfaninla said:

O'Byrne, keep your thumbs inside your fist.

not sure if you're joking, that is a guaranteed broken thumb if you tucked it into your fist before fighting.

[NWTHabsFan]

Price gets his first AHL win of the season tonight in a 3-2 OT win against the Baby Sens. D'Agostini kept his point streak going getting the OT winner, with Ryan Russell and Ajay Baines getting the other goals. Chipper played but was held pointless, but he is there to shut down top lines.

This was the 5th win in 6 games for the Dogs who are slowly sneaking up in the standings closer to playoff contention again. Let's hope they keep it up.

[24in93]

I should be at either Friday or Saturday's game at Copps. Any idea which of these games Price is expected to start? Or will he likely start both. I want to ideally see him between the pipes.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

24in93 said:

I should be at either Friday or Saturday's game at Copps. Any idea which of these games Price is expected to start? Or will he likely start both. I want to ideally see him between the pipes.

You might bump into Gogie while you're there. He attended pretty regularly last season.

Look forward to the post game report.

Cheers.

[Gogie]

I plan on being at both games this weekend. I didn't make it last night (those weeknight games can be tough at times!).

For the benefit of our friend in La La Land, don't get excited about Biron. He's been around the block and even though he's 6'6", it's 6'6" of jello, not steel! That said, he does play very well on the PP and is a good offensive d-man. He will be a welcome addition to the Dogs once he finally gets healthy again.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

gogie said:

I plan on being at both games this weekend. I didn't make it last night (those weeknight games can be tough at times!).

For the benefit of our friend in La La Land, don't get excited about Biron. He's been around the block and even though he's 6'6", it's 6'6" of jello, not steel! That said, he does play very well on the PP and is a good offensive d-man. He will be a welcome addition to the Dogs once he finally gets healthy again.

I remember a guy named Lapieriereiere. He was taller than everybody else, seldon fought and only threw the occasional check.
His shot from the point was wild & wicked. Planes from Dorval airport would avoid the North South runways when he was playing.
He had long arms a reach that extended from Verdun to Pointe aux Trembles. He reached more players than Kevin Feterline.
Tall for a defenseman is not a bad thing.

[Gogie]

habsfaninla said:

gogie said:

I plan on being at both games this weekend. I didn't make it last night (those weeknight games can be tough at times!).

For the benefit of our friend in La La Land, don't get excited about Biron. He's been around the block and even though he's 6'6", it's 6'6" of jello, not steel! That said, he does play very well on the PP and is a good offensive d-man. He will be a welcome addition to the Dogs once he finally gets healthy again.

I remember a guy named Lapieriereiere. He was taller than everybody else, seldon fought and only threw the occasional check.
His shot from the point was wild & wicked. Planes from Dorval airport would avoid the North South runways when he was playing.
He had long arms a reach that extended from Verdun to Pointe aux Trembles. He reached more players than Kevin Feterline.
Tall for a defenseman is not a bad thing.

My point wasn't that his height was a problem. His problem is that he doesn't use his size to any advantage. He doesn't throw his weight around, he doesn't/can't fight, etc., etc. He's been around since the 1999-00 season in the pros and has played with a few different NHL clubs (Islanders, Lightning, Panther and Capitals), never managing to stick with anybody. He did actually manage to spend 3 full seasons in the NHL (99-00 with the Islanders, 03-04 with Florida and 05-06 with Washington) but he's spent more time in the AHL.

That's not to say I don't like the guy. In fact, I do. He's a positive influence on the kids and he plays a solid offensive role. His defense is ok as well, but I think a future in the Show is unlikely.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

gogie said:

habsfaninla said:

I remember a guy named Lapieriereiere. He was taller than everybody else, seldon fought and only threw the occasional check.
His shot from the point was wild & wicked. Planes from Dorval airport would avoid the North South runways when he was playing.
He had long arms a reach that extended from Verdun to Pointe aux Trembles. He reached more players than Kevin Feterline.
Tall for a defenseman is not a bad thing.

My point wasn't that his height was a problem. His problem is that he doesn't use his size to any advantage. He doesn't throw his weight around, he doesn't/can't fight, etc., etc. He's been around since the 1999-00 season in the pros and has played with a few different NHL clubs (Islanders, Lightning, Panther and Capitals), never managing to stick with anybody. He did actually manage to spend 3 full seasons in the NHL (99-00 with the Islanders, 03-04 with Florida and 05-06 with Washington) but he's spent more time in the AHL.

That's not to say I don't like the guy. In fact, I do. He's a positive influence on the kids and he plays a solid offensive role. His defense is ok as well, but I think a future in the Show is unlikely.

Sorry Gogie. You are right.
I was only asking the question and since you have seen him and I have not, you are the expert. My only comment was that his stats, when healthy show he has some offense, and his size shows he can reach out and slow some guys down. I'm grasping for straws and looking for a big hulking D-man that can handle the puck and score for Les Gars. Maybe not a Larry Robinson HOF replacement, but even a Don Awrey, Rod Langway, Guy Lapointe, Terry Harper, Jacques Laperierre would help our D now.

[NWTHabsFan]

Dogs win 5-2 against Syracuse Crunch tonight in a huge game, because with the win the Dogs now move into a two way tie for third in their division. A sniff at a playoff spot again due to their good play of late. 3 game winning streak and five of last six.

Price gets the win, his second since arriving. Locke, Valentenko and Carle get the stars. Valentenko and Greg Stewart in big scraps, with Stewart flattening his guy with a huge left.

Keep it up boys!!

stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1004054

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

nwthabsfan said:

habsfaninla said:

Mathieu Biron???
Down in California I get no news about the Bulldogs.
The Sunday LA Times had stories on high school wrestling in UTAH, but not a single line about the World Junior Championships.
Trading away Traverse for a bag of pucks would have been a good move. Getting a 6'6" defenseman is better than a bag of pucks. For a while Biron was scoring too.

Whahappened to him?? Anybody??

Archer, O'Byrne, Komisarek and Biron are all big enough for us to forget our riches in the speedy smurf forward department.
Archer, learn to fight before picking on guys that are bigger than you.
O'Byrne, keep your thumbs inside your fist.
Komisarek, you're more valuable on the ice than in the box.
Biron, where are you?

HFLA, he has been injured for most of the season, but had some decent games when he came back. Only 4 games played and one goal in those games so far this season.

The Long Beach Press Telegram finally has some news about Locke in the sports section.

Boys non-conference high school basketball

Locke 68
San Piedro 69

[seventeen]

nwthabsfan said:

Dogs win 5-2 against Syracuse Crunch tonight in a huge game, because with the win the Dogs now move into a two way tie for third in their division. A sniff at a playoff spot again due to their good play of late. 3 game winning streak and five of last six.

Price gets the win, his second since arriving. Locke, Valentenko and Carle get the stars. Valentenko and Greg Stewart in big scraps, with Stewart flattening his guy with a huge left.

Keep it up boys!!

stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1004054

Two assists for Valentenko on the PP, along with 2nd star. And some feistiness too. I love it.

[Gogie]

seventeen said:

nwthabsfan said:

Dogs win 5-2 against Syracuse Crunch tonight in a huge game, because with the win the Dogs now move into a two way tie for third in their division. A sniff at a playoff spot again due to their good play of late. 3 game winning streak and five of last six.

Price gets the win, his second since arriving. Locke, Valentenko and Carle get the stars. Valentenko and Greg Stewart in big scraps, with Stewart flattening his guy with a huge left.

Keep it up boys!!

stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1004054

Two assists for Valentenko on the PP, along with 2nd star. And some feistiness too. I love it.

It was a pretty entertaining and chippy game. Valentenko was impressive and showed his grit once again. He didn't really want to fight, but after Price was run by Gilbert Brule (I think) half way through the third period a brawl broke out and he ended up partnered with Tom Sestito (a 6'4" Syracuse goon). Pavel was hesitant to do anything but hold on at first but when he realized he was going to have to go he threw a few good ones. No fear in this guy.

The Stewart fight later in the period was a good one. I like this kid - he's big and is developing into the Dogs' enforcer while still playing a decent game.

On the downside, late in the game Valentenko took a slapshot off the head when he slid to block a shot too early. From what I could see he took it off the back of the head, possibly just below the helmet. He wasn't down on the ice for awhile and had to be helped off the ice. No word yet on the seriousness of the inury, but it was scary to see.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

gogie said:

seventeen said:

Two assists for Valentenko on the PP, along with 2nd star. And some feistiness too. I love it.

It was a pretty entertaining and chippy game. Valentenko was impressive and showed his grit once again. He didn't really want to fight, but after Price was run by Gilbert Brule (I think) half way through the third period a brawl broke out and he ended up partnered with Tom Sestito (a 6'4" Syracuse goon). Pavel was hesitant to do anything but hold on at first but when he realized he was going to have to go he threw a few good ones. No fear in this guy.

The Stewart fight later in the period was a good one. I like this kid - he's big and is developing into the Dogs' enforcer while still playing a decent game.

On the downside, late in the game Valentenko took a slapshot off the head when he slid to block a shot too early. From what I could see he took it off the back of the head, possibly just below the helmet. He wasn't down on the ice for awhile and had to be helped off the ice. No word yet on the seriousness of the inury, but it was scary to see.

Nice to hear Gogie. We could actually use some that scrappy attitude in Montreal now. Good on V.

Cheers.

[franko]

habsfaninla said:

The Long Beach Press Telegram finally has some news about Locke in the sports section.

Boys non-conference high school basketball

Locke 68
San Piedro 69

Bah, he still can't win!

[NWTHabsFan]

gogie said:

It was a pretty entertaining and chippy game. Valentenko was impressive and showed his grit once again. He didn't really want to fight, but after Price was run by Gilbert Brule (I think) half way through the third period a brawl broke out and he ended up partnered with Tom Sestito (a 6'4" Syracuse goon). Pavel was hesitant to do anything but hold on at first but when he realized he was going to have to go he threw a few good ones. No fear in this guy.

The Stewart fight later in the period was a good one. I like this kid - he's big and is developing into the Dogs' enforcer while still playing a decent game.

On the downside, late in the game Valentenko took a slapshot off the head when he slid to block a shot too early. From what I could see he took it off the back of the head, possibly just below the helmet. He wasn't down on the ice for awhile and had to be helped off the ice. No word yet on the seriousness of the inury, but it was scary to see.

Gogie, it was Gilbert Brule who first ran Carey and started the whole brouhaha. The ref (Koharski - yes, he is related) evened up the penalties despite the antics by Syracuse clearly dictated by the lop sided score. Bush league antics and somewhat bush league reffing to not ding Syracuse for extra penalties. The Dogs' announcers actually thought there might be two extra to Syracuse...but alas, all even up. Not exactly taking control of the game back, so the fight later on was not the least bit surprising or unexpected.

Valentenko, the tank, just turned 20 in the fall and sure plays with some jam. He has decent passing skills so is not just a big tough kid down low. Last year he was the Russian player of the game in the WJC final against Carey and the boys in red, and now they are teammates wrecking havoc on the AHL (for now!). All we need now is snarly Emelin to come over and join the fray this side of the pond.

[jkr]

nwthabsfan said:

gogie said:

It was a pretty entertaining and chippy game. Valentenko was impressive and showed his grit once again. He didn't really want to fight, but after Price was run by Gilbert Brule (I think) half way through the third period a brawl broke out and he ended up partnered with Tom Sestito (a 6'4" Syracuse goon). Pavel was hesitant to do anything but hold on at first but when he realized he was going to have to go he threw a few good ones. No fear in this guy.

The Stewart fight later in the period was a good one. I like this kid - he's big and is developing into the Dogs' enforcer while still playing a decent game.

On the downside, late in the game Valentenko took a slapshot off the head when he slid to block a shot too early. From what I could see he took it off the back of the head, possibly just below the helmet. He wasn't down on the ice for awhile and had to be helped off the ice. No word yet on the seriousness of the inury, but it was scary to see.

Gogie, it was Gilbert Brule who first ran Carey and started the whole brouhaha. The ref (Koharski - yes, he is related) evened up the penalties despite the antics by Syracuse clearly dictated by the lop sided score. Bush league antics and somewhat bush league reffing to not ding Syracuse for extra penalties. The Dogs' announcers actually thought there might be two extra to Syracuse...but alas, all even up. Not exactly taking control of the game back, so the fight later on was not the least bit surprising or unexpected.

That's all the Habs need - for Price to get hurt by some dumba$$ trying to make a name for himself in Syracuse of all places.

[24in93]

I was at the Bulldogs game Friday against Syracuse. Glad I didn't go to Saturday's game instead (7-3 loss). It was a good game by the Dogs. Price was pretty solid. One of the two goals he allowed he was completely screened on the PP. I had a good vantage point on that goal to see he was completely screened. The Dogs roared out to a 3 goal lead early. Locke had a "Kovalevian" goal from the right half boards on the PP. He was dangling the puck and I told my cousin he was going to try and pull a Kovalev right before he unleashed his shot and scored. Valentenko was impressive with a pair of assists. He went down to block a shot on a Syracuse 5 on 3 with only a few seconds left in the game and took it squarely off the back of his head. Got to love that dedication even though they had the game in the bag. He was down for a few minutes and had jelly legs as they helped him off the ice. Hope he's not too hurt. I wasn't impressed with Coté. Made some bad passes in the neutral zone that were turned over. Don't know if it was an off night for him as I see he's wearing the 'A' down there.
Sat right beside Price for the 2nd period for some "observations" and it was his best period. He looks HUGE in person. By comparison, the Crunch starting goalie looked like a PeeWee goalie. He was as cool as can be and always square to the shooter. The Crunch ran him a couple of times before Brulé absolutely bowled him over, sparking a mélée behind the net. Brulé played a pretty feisty game from what I saw.
Chips had a decent game, nothing overly impressive but played his role well. The Dogs seemed to sit back a lot after taking the early lead and allowing the Crunch right back in it to make it 3-2 before Milroy scored a beauty.
It was a great experience for the $$. We got to move around quite a bit and sit wherever we wanted. I'll for sure be heading to more games in the future.

[jkr]

24in93 said:

ISat right beside Price for the 2nd period for some "observations" and it was his best period. He looks HUGE in person. By comparison, the Crunch starting goalie looked like a PeeWee goalie. He was as cool as can be and always square to the shooter.

My son ran into some players , including Price, & got some autographs while in Montreal over New Years. He said the same thing. My son is about 6'1" & he found Price surprisingly big.

[NWTHabsFan]

Carey and the Dogs just gave up a converted touchdown in a 7-2 waxing tonight...yuch. Two real stinkers in a row for Carey.

[NWTHabsFan]

Danis gets the call in net from Texas, of all places. Dogs get out of their funk with a big 5-2 win, with goals from All Star Corey Locke, Manlow, Stewart, D'Agostini and our buddy Chipper (with his second since being sent to Steeltown).

[seventeen]

I keep following Valentenko as he seems to have adjusted to NA play and is on the PP as well, now. Two assists tonight and +1 for the evening. Coming along nicely. He'll be an adequate call-up in case of injuries and I say he makes the team off training camp next year.

[NWTHabsFan]

seventeen said:

I keep following Valentenko as he seems to have adjusted to NA play and is on the PP as well, now. Two assists tonight and +1 for the evening. Coming along nicely. He'll be an adequate call-up in case of injuries and I say he makes the team off training camp next year.

Moi aussi.

The kid has made a great adjustment as a relatively young prospect. He made a great pass tonight on one of the goals (I peeked a listen for a while). Big, tough and with good puck skills. I don't like to overhype but I think he should make the grade in a few years as long as he continues to progress. He is barely 20, which makes his progress to date pretty impressive on one hand, on the other, nothing is a gimme in the show.

[NWTHabsFan]

Valentenko's big blast from the point this afternoon in their game in Houston gets tipped in by Aubin, for Valenteko's 9th point in his last 15 games.

In the pre-game comments from Coach Lever he mentioned that he thought that Valentenko played his best game of the season on Friday night. From the sounds of the game today so far, he is continuing on with good play.

The kid is definitely developing nicely. Now if they can only get Emelin to come over.

Price is back in net today after getting a night off on Friday.

Edit: Make that 10 points as Tank gets another assist from a huge blast from the point that Ferland coverts for a goal. The kid is on fire!

[NWTHabsFan]

Dogs and Carey Price win 2-1 in Houston to sweep their two game trip to Texas and pick up four critical points on the road. Price's shutout bid ends late in the game when Houston pulled their goalie with four minutes to go and had pretty good sustained pressure for the first time all game.

Great bounce back game for Carey after two rough starts in a row.

[seventeen]

Yep, Valero's making that PP really tick.

stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1004125