BULLDOGS END LOSING STREAK WITH OVER-TIME THRILLER

The Hamilton Bulldogs pulled through in over time after another third period come back in a Tuesday night thriller.

Canadians Prospect and third year veteran on the Bulldogs; Louis LeBlanc played what is possibly one of the best games of his career with the Bulldogs, giving two helpers and the game-winning goal just over a minute into the extra time for the Bulldogs to climb out of their losing streak and get their second win of the season.

The IceHogs got off to an early start in the first period, with a goal from Garrett Ross within the first thirty seconds. It wasn’t until late in the first when Nick Tarnasky put one right past Rockford’s goaltender to tie it up at 1. They would end the first period tied at 1.

The second period didn’t see much action on the goal side of things, but a lot of smart plays from both sides of the puck. Rockford would score the only goal to give them the edge going into the third period.

Sven Andrighetto, a rookie on the Bulldogs would open the scoring in the third with an unassisted, short-handed goal to tie things back up. It wouldn’t take long for the IceHogs to answer, as Mark McNeill would put in back-to-back goals with the first being two minutes after Andrighetto’s. After Rockford’s two goals Andrighetto would come back with another to answer McNeill’s second, leaving the Bulldog’s with a deficit of one.

Hamilton pulled goalie Dustin Tokarski and put on the extra man. The IceHogs would shoot at the open net, but the goal would be disallowed, as an offside call would follow. Tokarski was pulled yet again, and Akim Aliu would put in the final goal of the third period with just 18 seconds left on the clock. Aliu’s goal would send the IceHogs and Bulldogs into overtime. Aliu’s goal is his second so far this season that has come at just the right time, to give the Dogs a chance for the win.

Just over a minute into the extra time Leblanc would find the back of the net off the rebound. Collecting Assists for the game-winning goal would be Gabriel Dumont and Magnus Nygren. Leblanc’s goal would give the Bulldogs their second win of the season with a final of 4-3 over Rockford.

The Bulldogs were unable to capitalize on any of their power plays but kept their penalty kill strong, as the IceHogs would only score once on the man-up.

Hamilton Goalie Dustin Tokarski will add another win to his stats, after making a total of 24 saves throughout the night.

The Bulldogs next game will be at Copps Colluium on Friday Night when they host the Rochester Americans in a 7:30pm game start. This is the second of four games this week as they're on the road to play the Utica Comets Saturday, and back home for their second meeting with the Marlies Sunday.