After starting the season on a two game win streak the Bulldogs move back to .500 hockey after dropping their second straight game, this time to the Rochester Americans.
Joe Finley tipped a Rick Schofield shot past the Bulldogs Peter Delmas at 11:45 of the first period to open the scoring. Despite firing 12 shots at the Amerks’ David Leggio the Bulldogs couldn’t find the back of the net.
In the second the Bulldogs would find a way to solve Leggio. Patrick Holland sent Michael Bournival a nice feed in the slot and Bournival would make no mistake, tying the game at 1. The goal marked Bournival’s first professional goal (Bournival is also credited with the shootout winner in the Bulldogs 4-3 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins), and Holland’s third point of the season (1 goal 2 assists).
The celebration would be short-lived for the Bulldogs. The Americans would regain the lead a mere 44 seconds later. Cody Hodgson, who spent last season split between the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres, put the puck past Delmas after regaining possession of his own rebound.
In the third period the Bulldogs would pepper Leggio with 16 shots to try and tie the game, but David Leggio would stand strong in the Amerks net. T.J. Brennan would ice the game on the Power Play while Fredric St. Denis served a high-sticking minor. Brennan’s 4th of the season not only clinched a 3-1 win for his team but also extended his point total to 4 goals and 4 assists; good for first overall in AHL scoring for d-men.
Cedric Desjardins’ non-serious injury has kept him out of all four Dogs games this season. Although Robert Mayer and Peter Delmas have looked capable of handling the goaltending duties at times, you have to wonder if Desjardins will make his debut on Friday, when the Bulldogs host the Toronto Marlies for the third time in this short season.
Also questionable for Friday’s game is Louis Leblanc who missed this game after suffering an injury in a scrap with Toronto’s Jesse Blacker.
