HAMILTON, ON - The Hamilton Bulldogs finished their 14th season in the American Hockey League with a total of 63 wins in 99 games following their elimination in Game 7 of the 2010 Calder Cup Western Conference Finals on May 26th. The 'Dogs broke a total of 31 franchise records, tied six club records and broke one AHL record in the 2009-2010 regular season. In the post-season Hamilton broke 12 post-season franchise records and tied another 11.
The Bulldogs finished the 2009-2010 regular season with the second best record in the AHL with a 52-17-3-8 mark and won the Sam Pollock Trophy as North Division Regular Season Champion and the Norman R. Poile Trophy as the Western Conference Regular Season Champion. David Desharnais led the team in points with 78 (27 goals, 51 assists) while rookie defenceman P.K. Subban led all Bulldogs defenders and tied for third in the AHL among rookies in points with 53 (18 goals, 35 assists). In goal, Cedrick Desjardins led the AHL with a 2.00 goals-against-average and also recorded six shutouts and a 0.919 save percentage to hold a record of 29-9-4 while Curtis Sanford ranked 3rd in the AHL with a 2.13 goals-against-average and also recorded four shutouts and a 0.916 save percentage to hold a 23-11-3 record. The Bulldogs had a total of 17 players play for both Hamilton and their National Hockey League affiliate the Montreal Canadiens in 2009-2010, the most of any AHL team and its NHL affiliate. 13 Bulldogs graduates also helped the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Bulldogs began the season with a franchise record 11-game point streak, setting the tone for the record breaking season that followed. Hamilton set the club record for most wins in a regular season as the 'Dogs earned 52 wins and also set the franchise record for points in a regular season as they recorded 115 points in 2009-2010. The 'Dogs were also the best road team in the AHL last season as they broke the AHL record for most points earned on the road in one season when the club posted 60 points away from Copps Coliseum. The Bulldogs also set franchise records for wins on the road with 27 and goals scored on the road with 142.
Individually the Bulldogs set a number of records. Mid-way through the season, Desjardins set a new franchise record for longest shutout streak by a goaltender when he did not allow a goal in 212 minutes and 37 seconds of play from November 25th until December 9th. The club also set a franchise record for team shutout streak as the 'Dogs were not scored on for 207 minutes and 21 seconds from November 25th until December 5th. The Bulldogs recorded 12 shutouts this year, tying the franchise mark set by the 2002-2003 team while Desjardins earned six shutouts which tied Jaroslav Halak for most shutouts in one season by a Bulldogs goaltender. Desjardins also set a new franchise record for most wins by a goaltender in one season with 27.
In 2009-2010, Andre Benoit became the all-time leader in points by a Bulldogs defenceman with 93 and goals by a 'Dogs defenceman with 23. Subban's 18 goals, 53 points and 11 power-play goals are all new franchise records for a Bulldogs defenceman in a single season. Subban's plus/minus rating of plus-46 set a new franchise record for highest plus/minus rating by a Bulldogs player. Desharnais' 78 points are also a new franchise mark for most points in a season by a Bulldogs player.
The 'Dogs players also earned a number of awards for the 2009-2010 season. Desjardins and Subban were both named to the Canadian team at the AHL All-Star Classic in January. At the conclusion of the regular season, Subban was named an AHL First-Team All-Star and to the AHL All-Rookie Team while Desjardins was named an AHL Second-Team All-Star. Head Coach Guy Boucher was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach in his rookie season with the Bulldogs while Desjardins and Sanford received the Harry "Hap" Holmes Award which is given to the goaltenders on the team which allows the fewest goals in the regular season.
Following the 2009-2010 regular season, the 'Dogs enjoyed a deep playoff run which concluded in Game 7 of the 2010 Calder Cup Western Conference Finals where they were defeated by the Texas Stars. Prior to meeting the Stars, Hamilton defeated the Manitoba Moose in six games in the North Division Semi-Finals series before becoming the North Division Playoff Champions by defeating the Abbotsford Heat in six games. Desharnais once again led the Bulldogs in points as he earned 23 (10 goals, 13 assists) to set a new franchise record for most points in one post-season. In their second game of the playoffs, Hamilton defeated Manitoba 8-2, tying the franchise record for most goals scored in a post-season game and setting the club record for largest margin of victory in a playoff game. Benoit (five goals, 22 assists) and Desharnais (11 goals, 16 assists) became the franchise leaders in all-time post-season points with 27 while Benoit's 22 assists also make him the franchise leader in all-time post-season assists.
For information on Bulldogs season tickets, flex packs, mini packs and group tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.
