T-25 ... Baby Habs game re-cap.

Alright so last night, I may have been a little bit on the odd side... actually that was probably about the normal side. Anyways, the Habs have a night off, before they play on the road tomorrow night. As for the Baby Habs they're on the road in Rochester... just a few hours away. Meaning i've decided to switch it up and talk some Bulldogs.

Their last match up against the Americans, they came out on top in OT after Rochester came from behind. Hamilton currently has just two losses that came in regulation time, both coming from the Toronto Marlies. Hamilton is currently tied for first in the North Division with a three point gap between the Americans.

After last night's loss the Canadians sent both Leblanc and St.Pierre back down the Bulldogs. This gives the Bulldogs one of the best rosters that they have had all season... and possibly over the past years as well. The roster may look great on paper, but they didn't do as great as it would be expected.

Mike Zigomanis would put one past Hamilton's Dustin Tokarski to put the Americans on the board first just over three minutes into the first. The goal would be his fourth of the season, with Adam Sulzer taking the assist. It wouldn't be until closer to 18 minutes before they would put another past Tokarski, when Captain of the Americans, Matt Ellis would put in his second of the season. At the end of one the Dogs would trial 2-0. 

There must have been some kind of party going on in the penalty box, as throughout the first period alone there was a total of 18 minutes served between the Dogs and Americans. Mike Blunden would win the title for most time in the box after a 5 minute fighting penalty and 2 minutes for Goaltender interference. 

Eight minutes into the second period Chad Ruthwedel would bring the Americans to a 3-0 lead with his first of the season. That is until rookie Sven Andrighetto connected with Jared Tinordi and Louis Leblanc for his fourth of the season. Andrighetto would cut Rochester's lead back to two... but not for long. Ruthwedel would put in his second of the night shortly after to put the deficit back to three. 

As for penalties, the party seems to not be cooling off. Maybe the cops showed up, but compared to the first there was just 10 minutes combined. Hamilton would serve 6 of the 10 minutes. At the end of two the Bulldogs would trial by three, with just a lone goal up on the board. 

It wasn't long into the third before Blunden would drop the gloves for the second time against Brayden McNabb. I bet he was that kid in kindergarden that made people smaller than him eat dirt, and then sat in the time out chair laughing and planning his next diabolical plan. With another 5 minute penalty, Blunden's total is at 12 for time in the box through out tonights contest. 

Hamilton's Joonas Nattien would cut the lead in half as he put one past Matt Hackett for his first goal of the season. Nathan Beaulieu and Justin Courtnall would be credited with the assists. The Bulldogs continued to fight through out the third, and with less than three left in the final period Louis Leblanc ripped one right past Hackett to make it a one goal game. The come-from behind attempt stayed in full swing, as Tokarski was pulled. With the net wide open, Rochester's Frederick Roy was able to toss one in to give them a two point lead and finish with a 5-3 win. 

Unlike the Canadians, the Bulldogs don't have an overly strong penalty kill... or maybe it's just the amount of time that is spent in the box? You would think the more practice on the man down in a game would make your PK stronger, but it seems like most goals against come on the power play. Rochester was able to capitalize twice on the man-up, while Hamilton went 0-4 on the power play. 

Bad Boy of the night goes to Mike Blunden with two fights and a two minute for goaltender interference, totalling 12 minutes in the box. (but let's be honest, who doesn't love a bad boy?) 

Hamilton's next game will be at home on Friday night when they take on the Grand Rapids Griffins for the second time this season. The last time these two met, they would both collect points. It would be Hamilton's first loss and their first of what would be several over time games, as it ended in a shoot out. The Bulldogs have yet to win a shoot out this season, but have done quite well in over-time with two game-winning goals from Louis Leblanc. Puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30, at Copps Coliseum. 

So far November isn't looking to good for either of Montreal's franchises as the Canadians have dropped their past three and the Bulldogs have gone 1-1 so far this month. 

Fact of the Night:
When Taylor swift releases a new album, 13 - 14 guys cringe in fear. 

Song of the Night: