The Hamilton Bulldogs scored a late third period goal to defeat the Rochester Americans 4-3 in front of 4,519 fans at Copps Coliseum. Matt D’Agostini scored two goals including the game-winner and now has 11 goals on the season.
Rochester took an early 2-0 lead after scoring two goals in the first period. Bulldogs defenceman Mathieu Carle fell at Hamilton’s blueline, which gave Janis Sprukts a breakaway on Hamilton starting goaltender Marc Denis. Sprukts slipped the puck through Denis’ five-hole with a backhand shot to score the first shorthanded goal of the season against the Bulldogs at 3:31. While on the power play at 7:08, Michael Duco banged away at the puck at the side of the net before flipping the puck over the right shoulder of Denis.
Hamilton cut the lead in half at 10:10 of the first frame on a goal by Ben Maxwell. Maxwell received a pass from Yanick Lehoux before skating in alone on Rochester starting goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu. Maxwell faked a shot before backhanding the pack past Beckford-Tseu.
The Amerks earned their third goal at 5:21 of the second stanza. Jordan Henry fired a shot that went over the net but took a weird bounce off the glass. The puck bounced into the crease where Stefan Meyer was able to grab the loose puck and shoot it past Denis.
The ‘Dogs scored two goals 15 seconds apart to tie the game 3-3. At 7:21 of the middle frame, D’Agostini skated behind the net before sending the puck in front of Beckford-Tseu where the puck bounced off a Rochester defender’s stick and into the net. Kyle Chipchura scored the Bulldogs’ third goal when he raced in alone on Beckford-Tseu and snapped a shot that beat the netminder on the blocker side at 7:36.
While on a five-on-three power play, D’Agostini scored the game-winning goal at 18:37 of the final frame. Yanick Lehoux sent a pass to D’Agostini who ripped a shot that Beckford-Tseu managed to save. D’Agostini fired a second shot, which beat Beckford-Tseu and gave the Bulldogs the win.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
1. ROC – Janis Sprukts – 2 (Kenndal McArdle) – 3:31 (SH)
2. ROC – Michael Duco – 5 (Stefan Meyer, Janis Sprukts) – 7:08 (PP)
3. HAM – Ben Maxwell – 6 (Yanik Lehoux, Max Pacioretty) – 10:10 (PP)
2nd Period:
4. ROC – Stefan Meyer – 3 (Jordan Henry, David Brine) – 5:21
5. HAM – Matt D’Agostini – 10 (Mathieu Aubin, Yanik Lehoux) – 7:21
6. HAM – Kyle Chipchura – 4 (J.T. Wyman) – 7:36
3rd Period:
7. HAM – Matt D’Agostini – 11 (Yanick Lehoux) – 18:37 (PP)
Scoring:
Hamilton: 1-2-1–4
Rochester: 2-1-0–3
Shots:
Hamilton: 14-5-12–31
Rochester: 6-8-3–17
Goaltending:
Hamilton:
Marc Denis (17 shots, 14 saves)
Rochester: Chris Beckford-Tseu (31 shots, 27 saves)
Power Play:
Hamilton: 2-for-6
Rochester: 1-for-5
Attendance: 4,519
Three Stars:
1. HAM – Matt D’Agostini (2 goals, 2 points, +1, 10 shots)
2. ROC – Stefan Meyer (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 point, 2 shots)
3. HAM – Kyle Chipchura (1 goal, 1 point,1 shot
Habster:
While the parent club is struggling to find its game these days, the Baby Habs are playing consistent hockey in Steeltown.
The Bulldogs are 10-4-1 with 21 points, good enough to place them third in the Noth division after 15 games. Not bad consideriing the huge turnover of players and the large number of inexperienced pros on the roster.
Another strong performance by the Bulldogs in their 4-3 victory of the Rochester Americans in which their leading scorer, Matt D’Agostini continued his hot play with two more goals and a team leading 11 for the season (plus 18 points in 15 games and a much improved +3).
Don’t be surprised to see young Mr. D’Agostini recalled sometime this season to the Habs and eventually become a regular with the team next season with so many UFAs not returning to the Canadiens.
Ben Maxwell is another player who has impressed Don Lever with his all-round game and smart on ice decisions. The kid hasn’t looked out of place in his first AHL/pro season with 13 points (G-6 A-7 +/- of 0) in 15 games and has done a wonderful job playing the point on the Bulldogs powerplay unit. He will one day be the Canadiens #2 center with his good skating stride and incredible on ice vision.