Hamilton Bulldogs

Winnipeg, MB - The Hamilton Bulldogs were defeated by the Manitoba Moose 5-2 on Friday night at MTS Centre in Winnipeg. Andre Benoit had a goal and an assist but it was not enough as Cory Schneider stopped 28 of 30 shots as Manitoba extended the series to a sixth game.

The Moose opened the game's scoring at 10:58 of the first period while on the power play. Dan Sexton fired a shot on net that rung off the post and onto the stick of Marco Rosa. Rosa attempted to jam the puck into the net but it bounced off the skate of a Bulldogs defender before landing on the stick of Peter Olvecky. Olvecky slid a shot underneath Hamilton starting goaltender Cedrick Desjardins.

Manitoba took a 2-0 lead at 19:17 of the second stanza. Sexton collected the puck in the right corner of Hamilton's zone before centering a pass to Olvecky, who had skated towards the net. Olvecky blasted a one-time shot that sailed over the shoulder of Desjardins and into the top of the net.

Aaron Volpatti scored to give the Moose a 3-0 lead 32 seconds into the third period. Yan Stastny received the puck from Mike Keane before chipping the puck to Volpatti, who tapped the puck past Desjardins and into the net. 

The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard at 4:45 of the final frame. Benoit intercepted a clearing attempt while stationed at the left point in Manitoba's zone. Benoit hammered a slapshot that deflected off the foot of a Moose defender and through the legs of Manitoba starting goaltender Cory Schneider. David Desharnais made the game 3-2 with a power-play goal at 11:08. While positioned at the blueline, P.K. Subban gave the puck to Desharnais, who was at the right faceoff circle. Desharnais waited with the puck before snapping a shot through traffic that beat Schneider below the glove.

Guillaume Desbiens increased the Moose's lead at 14:19 of the third stanza. Jordan Schroeder picked off a passing attempt from a Bulldogs player before centering a pass to Desbiens, who was standing in front of the net. Desbiens buried the puck past Desjardins and into the net. Desbiens added an empty net goal at 18:54 to secure the win for Manitoba.

The Bulldogs will look to finish their first round series against the Moose in Game 6 on Sunday, April 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. at Copps Coliseum. The remainder of the first round games will be shown live on Cable 14. Fans can listen to every 'Dogs playoff game on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, TALK 820. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the 'AHL Live' or 'TALK 820' icons on the Bulldogs website.

Tickets for Game 6 of the first round series at Copps Coliseum are one sale now! Tickets are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666.  For more information on 'Dogs season tickets, flex packs, mini packs and group tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
1. MTB - Peter Olvecky - 1 (Marco Rosa, Dan Sexton) - 10:58 (PP)

2nd Period:
2. MTB - Peter Olvecky - 2 (Dan Sexton) - 19:17

3rd Period:
3. MTB - Aaron Volpatti - 1 (Yan Stastny, Mike Keane) - 0:32
4. HAM - Andre Benoit - 1 (Unassisted) - 4:45
5. HAM - David Desharnais - 2 (P.K. Subban, Andre Benoit) - 11:08 (PP)
6. MTB - Guillaume Desbiens - 2 (Jordan Schroeder) - 14:19
7. MTB - Guillaume Desbiens - 3 (Mike Keane) - 18:54

Scoring:
Hamilton: 0-0-2--2
Manitoba: 1-1-3--5

Shots:
Hamilton: 5-9-16--30
Manitoba: 8-7-7--22

Goaltending:
Hamilton: Cedrick Desjardins (22 shots, 18 saves)
Manitoba: Cory Schneider (30 shots, 28 saves)

Power Play:
Hamilton: 1-for-4
Manitoba: 1-for-3

Attendance: 6,927

Three Stars:
1. MTB- Cory Schneider (30 shots, 28 saves)
2. MTB- Peter Olvecky (2 goals, +1, 4 shots)
3. MTB- Dan Sexton (2 assists, +1, 3 shots)

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