Bulldogs clinch second and will open playoffs at home

By Garry McKay
HAMILTON SPECTATOR

The Hamilton Bulldogs will open the Calder Cup playoffs at home.

Mike Glumac scored two unanswered third period goals to lead the Dogs to a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins Friday night in Michigan.

The win moved Hamilton, which trailed Grand Rapids by 12 points in February, two points ahead of them into second place in the AHL’s North Division.

Although both teams have one game left in the regular season the Bulldogs own the tie-breaker because they have more wins.

The means that the first two games of the best-of-seven North Division semi-final series between Hamilton and Grand Rapids will be played at Copps Coliseum Friday, April 17 at 7:30 Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

The Griffins had a sellout crowd of 10,834 at Van Andel Arena urging them on and for a long time it appeared as though that and the goaltending of Jimmy Howard might be enough.

Grand Rapids had 1-0 and 2-1 leads and it wasn’t until the third period that the Bulldogs lead for the first time.

In fact it was the first time all year that the Griffins had lost in regulation when leading after two.

Ben Maxwell had the other Hamilton goal.

Jakub Kindle and former Dog Francis Lemieux replied for Grand Rapids.

The Bulldogs outshot the Griffins 43-26. Marc Denis was the winner.

“They’re a pretty excited group,” said Dogs coach Ron Wilson. “They played like they wanted second place and they got it.

“We played well the whole game but we really took over in the third and found a way to win.”

The Bulldogs close out their regular season at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto against the Marlies.

Wilson said he’s got some players who are banged up and since the game means nothing he may rest a few of them.

Grand Rapids’ final game is also Saturday, in Peoria.

Here is the playoff schedule for the AHL North Division semi-final between Hamilton and Grand Rapids.

Game 1. Friday, April 17th – 7:30 p.m. Copps Coliseum.
Game 2. Saturday, April 18th – 7:00 p.m. Copps Coliseum.
Game 3. Monday, April 20th – 7:00 p.m. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids.
Game 4. Wednesday, April 22nd – 7:00 p.m. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids.
Game 5 (if necessary) Friday, April 24th – 7:00 p.m. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids.
Game 6 (if necessary) Sunday, April 26th – 6:00 p.m. Copps Coliseum.
Game 6 (if necessary) Monday, April 27th – 7:30 p.m. Copps Coliseum.
Tickets for games in Hamilton are available at the Copps Coliseum box office.