Excerpt from the Canadiens.com article by Heather Engel:


This year, Hamilton is looking to its solid mix of youth and experience to propel the team to the AHL postseason, after missing out in 2007-08.

While Matt D’Agostini has been proven to be quite comfortable in the NHL over the last month, Yanick Lehoux has stepped up his game and taken over the Bulldogs’ scoring lead with 31 points in 29 games. Should the pivot keep producing at that pace, he could eclipse his previous career bests in assists and points set back in 2006-07.

Lehoux is just one of 13 ‘Dogs to have hit double digits in points, including D’Agostini and Ben Maxwell. Among those in the baker’s dozen is Gregory Stewart. Though offense is far from the name of his game, the gritty winger has proven to be a valuable commodity at both ends of the ice in his sophomore campaign; the 22-year-old has scored five goals and 11 points so far, in addition to posting a plus-7 rating. His offensive totals have him just six shy of his 2007-08 output and could see him reach 30 points this season.

Currently third in the AHL’s North Division, the Bulldogs are riding a three-game winning streak into the holiday break. Cedrick Desjardins has taken the “W” in those three contests, allowing just three goals on 109 shots.