Bulldogs rediscover their bite

Garry McKay
The Hamilton Spectator
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (Apr 21, 2009)

The Hamilton Bulldogs found the spark they were missing.

The Dogs got goals from five different players and effort from pretty well everybody in a 5-4 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins.

So instead of facing elimination in their best-of-seven AHL North Division semifinal the Dogs are now only down 2-1 and can tie it up with a win in Grand Rapids tomorrow.

“We certainly played with a lot more intensity but that’s the way we have to play,” said Hamilton coach Ron Wilson.

“That’s the way I thought we were playing but for some reason we didn’t play that way in the first two games at home.”

The Dogs didn’t make it easy on themselves.

They appeared to have the Griffins down and cooled out on a couple of occasions and each time Grand Rapids scored to get right back in it.

“It’s a learning experience,” said Wilson. “We’re lucky we got away with it. When we got up 5-3 that game should have been snuffed out. After the game we talked about the fact that you can’t let up. You have to keep your foot on the gas.”

Trailing 2-0 in the series the Dogs needed a good start and they got it.

Their hard work paid off when Yanick Lehoux roofed a shot from the left faceoff circle over the shoulder of Griffins goaltender Jimmy Howard on a power play at 10:38.

The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and the Dogs led 3-2 after two.

The Dogs twice built two-goal leads in the third only to have the Griffins reply.

Kyle Chipchura, Ben Maxwell, Ryan Russell and Ryan White had the other Hamilton goals.

Darren McCarty, Brian Lashoff, Ville Leino and Justin Abdelkader replied for Grand Rapids.

With an assist on McCarty’s goal Milton’s Darren Haydar passed Willie Marshall’s AHL career record of 71 assists in the post season.

Notes: Max Pacioretty did not make the trip with the Bulldogs to Michigan. He’s being looked at for a sports hernia and is officially listed as day to day.

Hits and Misses

Molson Cup Three Stars: 1. Kyle Chipchura, Hamilton. 2. Brian Lashoff, Grand Rapids. 3. Ryan Russell, Hamilton.

Scratches: Steve Gainey, Andrew Conboy, Mat Pacioretty.

Shots on goal: Grand Rapids 31 Hamilton 26.

Attendance: 3,468 (Van Andel Arena).

Game 1. Grand Rapids 4 at Hamilton 3.

Game 2. Grand Rapids 3 at Hamilton 1.

Game 3. Hamilton 5 Grand Rapids 4.

Game 4. Tomorrow — 7:00 p.m. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids.

Game 5. 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 7. (if necessary) Monday, April 27th — 7:30 p.m. Copps Coliseum.