Hamilton Bulldogs

Rochester, New York – The Rochester Americans defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3 at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday night. Derek Whitmore scored four goals while Joe Callahan had a goal and an assist for the ‘Dogs. 

The Americans opened the scoring on an unassisted goal by Derek Whitmore at 0:32 of the first period. Hamilton Bulldogs starting goaltender Robert Mayer came out of the net to play the puck but missed and Whitmore knocked the puck by Mayer and in to the open net. Rochester added a second goal at 1:53 of the opening frame on another goal by Whitmore. After coming in on a one-on-three rush, Whitmore had his stick lifted but was able to get the puck back and snap a shot through the legs of Mayer. The Americans scored another goal at 7:57 of the first stanza on a goal by Maxime Legault. Riley Boychuk took a shot which was stopped by Mayer and the rebound came out to Legault who put the puck past Mayer.

The Bulldogs picked up their first tally at 12:38 of the first period on a marker by Alex Henry. Joonas Nattinen drove the net and took a shot which was stopped by Rochester Americans starting goaltender David Leggio. The rebound came out to Henry as he slid the puck into the open net past a down and out Leggio. The ‘Dogs added another goal at 18:35 of the opening frame on a five-on-three goal by Dany Masse. After receiving a pass from Joe Callahan, Dany Masse snapped a shot through the legs of Leggio and in the net.

Hamilton tied the score at 14:01 of the middle frame on a goal by Joe Callahan. After receiving the puck from Philip DeSimone, Callahan took a hard shot after from the right point which flew past Leggio. 

Rochester regained the lead on the power play at 5:52 of the third period on Whitmore’s third goal of the game. Marcus Foligno took a shot which was stopped by Mayer and the rebound came out to Whitmore who buried the puck past Mayer and in the back of the net. The Amerks pulled ahead by two on yet another goal by Whitmore at 12:12 of the third stanza. Whitmore received the puck from Mark Voakes and skated by a Hamilton defender and shot the puck past Mayer.

The Bulldogs will return home to Copps Coliseum to face the St. John’s Ice Caps on Friday, December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. All Hamilton Bulldogs games can be heard live on AM 820 CHAM or on www.hamiltonbulldogs.com, or seen live on www.ahllive.com beginning with the Pioneer Pre-Game Show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Single game tickets for the 2011-2012 season (with exception of the January 21st outdoor game) are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 1-855-872-5000. 

Visit the official website of the Hamilton Bulldogs at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com
Become a fan of the ‘Dogs on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hamiltonbulldogs
Follow the team on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dogsplaybyplay and www.twitter.com/bulldogsahl


Scoring Summary:

1st Period:
1. RCH – Derek Whitmore – 7 – 0:32
2. RCH – Derek Whitmore – 8 – (Phil Varone, Jacob Lagace) – 1:53
3. RCH – Maxime Legault – 1 – (Riley Boychuk, Shawn Szydlowski) – 7:57
4. HAM – Alex Henry – 1 – (Joonas Nattinen, Mike Blunden) – 12:38
5. HAM – Dany Masse – 4 – (Joe Callahan, Joonas Nattinen) – 18:35 (PP)
 
2nd Period:
6. HAM – Joe Callahan – 1 – (Phil DeSimone, Louis Leblanc) – 14:01


3rd period:
6. RCH – Derek Whitmore – 9 – (Marcus Foligno, Shaone Morrisonn) – 13:31 (PP)
7. RCH – Derek Whitmore – 10 – (Mark Voakes) – 12:12

Scoring:
Rochester: 3-0-2—5
Hamilton: 2-1-0—3

Shots:
Rochester: 13-12-9—34
Hamilton: 13-12-9—34

Goaltending:
Rochester: David Leggio (34 shots, 31 saves)
Hamilton: Robert Mayer (34 shots, 29 saves)

Power Play:
Rochester: 1-for-6
Hamilton: 1-for-6

Attendance: 5,016

Three Stars:
1. RCH- Derek Whitmore (4 goals, +2, 5 shots)
2. RCH- Maxime Legault (1 goal, +1, 3 shots)
3. HAM- Joe Callahan (1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots)

Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Game: Joonas Nattinen