HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Bulldogs finished their 15th season in the American Hockey League as the North Division’s Regular Season and Playoff Champions for the second consecutive season. The ‘Dogs season ended following a loss in their 100th game of the season, Game 7 of the 2011 Calder Cup Western Conference Finals on May 24th. The ‘Dogs became only the third team in the AHL’s 75-year history to force a Game 7 in a best-of-seven Calder Cup playoff series after trailing three-games-to-none to the Houston Aeros in the Western Conference Finals.
The Bulldogs finished the 2010-2011 regular season as the top team in the North Division, capturing the Sam Pollock Trophy as North Division’s Regular Season Champions for the second consecutive year. Nigel Dawes, who was acquired by Hamilton’s National Hockey League affiliate, the Montreal Canadiens, in a trade and assigned to the ‘Dogs on February 24th, led the team in points with 72 (41 goals, 31 assists) and ranked second in the league in goals and fifth in the league in points. In goal, Curtis Sanford led the AHL with a 1.93 goals-against-average and also recorded five shutouts and a .930 save percentage to hold a record of 22-13-2 before playing in his final game of the year on February 26th and having season-ending shoulder surgery on March 16th. Netminder Drew MacIntyre, who was assigned to the Bulldogs after being acquired by Montreal in a trade at the NHL’s 2011 trade deadline, would start all remaining regular season and post-season games for the Bulldogs. MacIntyre made 41 straight regular season and playoff starts after joining the ‘Dogs en route to an overall regular season record of 23-16-4 with a 2.37 goals-against-average and .922 save percentage and a post-season record of 11-9 with a 1.95 goals-against-average and a .930 save percentage. The Bulldogs had a total of nine players (Dustin Boyd, Nigel Dawes, David Desharnais, Andreas Engqvist, Brendon Nash, Max Pacioretty, Aaron Palushaj, Yannick Weber and Ryan White) compete for both Hamilton and the Canadiens in 2010-2011.
A number of ‘Dogs also set individual franchise records during the 2010-2011 season. Bulldogs Captain Alex Henry became the all-time leader in regular season games played by a ‘Dogs player on November 16, 2010 and holds the record with 412 games played in a Hamilton uniform. Nigel Dawes became the first Bulldogs player to score 41 goals in a single regular season, topping the 39 which was set by Paul Healey during the 2000-2001 season. Defenceman Mathieu Carle became the all-time leader in regular season points by a Bulldogs defenceman as he now has posted 97 points (30 goals, 67 assists) in his four seasons with the team. Goaltender Curtis Sanford set a new franchise mark for lowest all-time goals-against-average by a Hamilton goalie in the regular season as he has produced a combined 2.03 GAA in his two seasons with Hamilton.
For the second consecutive year, the ‘Dogs enjoyed a deep playoff run that lasted until Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals when they were defeated by the Houston Aeros. After dropping the first three games of their best-of-seven series to the Aeros, the Bulldogs battled back to become only the third team in the AHL’s 75-year history to force a seventh and deciding game when trailing three-games-to-none. Prior to meeting Houston, Hamilton defeated the Oklahoma City Barons in six games in the North Division Semi-Finals series before becoming the North Division Playoff Champions for the second straight year by defeating the Manitoba Moose in seven games. Nigel Dawes led the Bulldogs in points as he earned 22 (14 goals, eight assists) and set a new franchise record for most playoff goals in one post-season. In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the ‘Dogs set a new franchise record for largest margin of victory while tying the record for most goals scored in a playoff game as they defeated the Houston Aeros 8-1. Hamilton right winger Aaron Palushaj became the all-time leader in post-season points with 31 (nine goals, 22 assists) and tied former ‘Dog Andre Benoit for all-time post-season assists with 22 while centre Ryan Russell became the all-time leader in playoff goals 15. Captain Alex Henry also became the all-time leader for playoff games played this past post-season as he has suited-up in 60 ‘Dogs playoff games.
Hamilton Bulldogs 2011-2012 season tickets are now on sale! For more information, call 905-529-8500 or e-mail seasontix@hamiltonbulldogs.com
