Hamilton Bulldogs

Hamilton, ON - The Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Manitoba Moose 6-2 on Sunday afternoon at Copps Coliseum. The win earned the Bulldogs two points and gives them 112 points on the year which breaks the franchise record for most points earned in a season. David Desharnais also broke the franchise record for points by a Bulldogs player in a single season as he posted a goal and two assists in the win and now has 78 points on the year. With the win, Cedrick Desjardins has also tied the franchise record for most wins by a Bulldogs goaltender in one season with his 28^th victory of the year tying Yann Danis who had 28 in the 2004-2005 season.

The Bulldogs opened the game's scoring at 10:50 of the first frame. Ryan White fed a pass to Andrew Conboy, who one-timed the puck past Manitoba starting goaltender Daren Machesney.

The 'Dogs took a 2-0 lead at 5:33 of the second stanza. Brock Trotter received the puck from J.T. Wyman before deking past a Manitoba defender at the Moose's blue line. Trotter skated towards the net before snapping a shot past Machesney and into the back of the net.

Manitoba cut Hamilton's lead to one at 6:32 of the middle frame. Peter Olvecky and Tom Maxwell skated into the Bulldogs' zone on a two-on-one. Olvecky sent the puck to Maxwell, who fired a shot past a sprawling Hamilton starting goaltender Cedrick Desjardins.

Desharnais gave Hamilton a 3-1 lead at 11:02 of the second period. Mike Glumac carried the puck through Manitoba's zone before backhanding a pass to David Desharnais, who was in front of the net. Desharnais chipped the puck over Machesney and into the top of the net. The 'Dogs scored their fourth goal of the game at 15:40. Desharnais received the puck from Masse before sending a pass to the point where Yannick Weber was stationed. Weber blasted a shot that sailed through traffic and beat Machesney. The assist was Desharnais' third point of the game and 78^th point of the year, setting a new franchise record for points in a season as he passed Jason Chimera's mark of 77 that was set in 2001-2002. Hunter Bishop scored the first goal of his AHL career at 16:26 to give Hamilton a 5-1 lead. Shawn Belle skated down the right side boards before firing a shot on net that was stopped by Machesney. The rebound bounced onto the stick of Bishop, who shovelled the puck past the goaltender.

The Moose scored their second goal of the game at 10:40 of the final frame. Yan Stastny skated towards the net before centering the puck. The puck bounced off a Hamilton defender and onto the stick of Guillaume Desbiens. Desbiens fired a shot that trickled through Desjardins' pads.

Weber added his second goal of the game at 11:02 of the third stanza. Brock Trotter sent the puck to Yannick Weber, who raced down the right side of the ice. Weber flipped a shot over the blocker of Machesney and into the net to give Hamilton a 6-2 lead. The goal was Weber's 23^rd of his Bulldogs career which ties him with Andre Benoit for the franchise record for all-time goals by a Bulldogs defenceman.

Hamilton has also tied the franchise record for fewest regulation losses in a season as they have only suffered defeat 16 times and with three games remaining in the year they can only have a total of 19 regulation losses this season. The team only suffered 19 losses in the 2002-2003 season.

The Bulldogs host the Manitoba Moose for a rematch on Tuesday, April 6^th at 7:30 p.m. EST. Fans can listen to every 'Dogs 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 all Hamilton Bulldogs home games 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. HAM - Andrew Conboy - 8 (Ryan White) - 10:50

2nd Period:
2. HAM - Brock Trotter - 36 (J.T. Wyman) -  5:33
3. MTB - Tom Maxwell - 2 (Peter Olvecky, Mario Bliznak) - 6:32
4. HAM - David Desharnais - 27 (Mike Glumac, Brock Trotter) - 11:02
5. HAM - Yannick Weber - 6 (David Desharnais, Dany Masse) - 15:40 (PP)
6. HAM - Hunter Bishop - 1 (Shawn Belle) - 16:26
 
3rd Period:
7. MTB - Guillaume Desbiens - 19 (Yan Stastny, Brian Salcido) - 10:40 (PP)
8. HAM - Yannick Weber - 7 (Brock Trotter) - 11:02

Scoring:
Hamilton: 1-4-1--6
Manitoba: 0-1-1--2

Shots:
Hamilton: 9-13-5--27
Manitoba: 9-9-9--27

Goaltending:
Hamilton: Cedrick Desjardins (27 shots, 27 saves)
Manitoba: Daren Machesney (27 shots, 21 saves)

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

Attendance: 2,768

Three Stars:
1. HAM- David Desharnais (1 goal, 2 assists, +3, 2 shots)
2. HAM- Brock Trotter (1 goal, 2 assists, +3, 2 shots)
3. HAM- Yannick Weber (2 goals, +3, 5 shots)

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