Hamilton 6 - Grand Rapids 3

[Johnny_rudeboy]

The Bulldogs made a strong statement tonight by beating Grand Rapids 6-3 that they will be a team to reckon with if they meet in the playoffs. Hamilton outshot Grand Rapids 49-32 in garnering the victory (21-8 in the 3rd period).

Rookies led the way tonight. Desharnais had a hat trick and an assist for 4 points, Trotter had a goal and 2 assists, Weber had a goal and an assist, and Desjardins got the win while the veteran Glumac tallied 4 assists. Desharnais now has 54 pts, only one point behind Maxwell who is tied with Lehoux for the team lead at 55 pts.

http://stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary...game_id=1005862

Maxwell and Desharnais are 2 and 3 in AHL rookie point totals while Trotter with 46 pts sits at 16th and Weber at 18th with 43 pts. Four players in the top 20; the most of any team in the AHL.

[madsprite18]

This was a very very strange and entertaining game - there were goals within the first minute of each period including a Bulldog record of a goal with only nine seconds gone in the first. There was an awarded empty net goal, a hat trick, a penalty to the opposition goalie after a double shorthanded goal and both goalies faced a huge number of shots - ours, desjardins almost 40 and theirs, howard - 50!!!

We had a goal called back that shouldn't have been called back - they had a possible suspension not called - for shooting the puck at the ref.

I guess this is the preview of the upcoming playoff series - if it is, fasten your seatbelts!!

Pacioretty was not playing - not sure why, neither was Jancevski - I guess he was late getting back from Dallas - but it was nice to see Gainey back in and he played well. Denis was on the bench.