New line sparks Bulldogs to lopsided win
By Garry McKay
HAMILTON SPECTATOR
Max Pacioretty returned to the Hamilton Bulldogs lineup Tuesday night and Ben Maxwell was the beneficiary.
The new line of Maxwell, Pacioretty, and Yanick Lehoux combined for four goals to lead Hamilton to a 6-1 win over the San Antonio Rampage at Copps Coliseum.
Maxwell scored his first professional hat, Pacioretty had a goal and two assists and Lehoux picked up one assist.
“In four years of junior I didn’t have a hat trick,” said Maxwell whose last three goal game came with the Canadian Under-18 team in 2006.
“They were basically just tap-ins because my linemates did all the work. It’s good to have Patch back because he’s a skilled player and we all know Lehoux is the top point producer on the team and can really pass the puck.”
Pacioretty was just sent down to Hamilton from the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.
“He’s come down with a great attitude,” said Bulldogs coach Ron Wilson. “I thought he would be upset but he realizes he’s got a great opportunity and he wants to play.
“Up there he wasn’t getting much ice and he knows he’s going to get it down here.”
With the win the Dogs reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to six points
Although the Rampage had the better of the play in the first period the Dogs came out with a 1-0 lead.
Maxwell got it at 7:40 when he took a pass from Pacioretty and one-timed a knuckleball shot that beat Karl Goehring and went in off the post.
The Dogs pulled away in the second, outscoring San Antonio 3-1.
Maxwell scored what would turn out to be the winner, on a power play at 5:09. Ryan Russell made it 3-0 on a breakaway at 8:42.
Brett MacLean got one back for the visitors when he banked a rebound past Marc Denis on a power play at 11:38.
Maxwell, restored the Dogs three goal lead, converting a perfect two-on-one from Yanick Lehoux at the 14 minute mark.
Pacioretty and J.T. Wyman added to the Bulldogs total with third period goals.
Dan Jancevski’s two assists give him 28 for the season and move him past Ron Hainsey to become the Bulldogs all time leading point producer among defencemen with 85.
The Dogs have seven games left in the regular season including two more this week, both on the road.
Hamilton heads to Winnipeg on Thursday for games with the North Division leading Manitoba Moose on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
Hits and Misses
Molson Cup Three Stars: 1. Ben Maxwell, Hamilton. 2. Max Pacioretty, Hamilton. 3. Dan Jancevski, Hamilton.
Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Game (hardest working Bulldog): Ryan Russell.
Scratches: Chad Anderson, Steve Gainey, Andrew Conboy, Ryan Kinasewich, Ryan Flinn.
Shots on goal: San Antonio 42 Hamilton 28.
Attendance: 3,476.
Up next: The Bulldogs are in Winnipeg on Friday night.