Remember when the Bulldogs were undefeated after scoring first? Good times. Then they were undefeated in regulation when scoring first, not as nice but still, nothing to scoff at. Well, the San Antonio Rampage ended that Bulldogs streak by scoring 5 unanswered goals last night.
Gabriel Dumont opened the scoring early for the Bulldogs at the 1:22 mark. Louis Leblanc fed the puck to a streaking Dumont who fired a wrist shot at the top of the circle for his 6th of the season. While the Bulldogs have struggled with scoring this season, you have to give credit to a guy like Dumont. Dumont’s 12 points puts him in second for scoring leaders, behind only Brendan Gallagher. Dumont is not typically an offensive force, he had 24 points last season in 59 games. He’s contributed on both sides of the puck and will hopefully continue to be a bright spot during this difficult season.
In the first Cedrick Desjardins was brilliant for the Bulldogs, turning aside 16 shots. On the other side of the ice former Bulldog Dov Grumet-Morris stopped 9 of the 10 shots he faced.
In the second, the Bulldogs picked up a two goal lead when Michael Blunden scored his 7th of the season. Joonas Nattinen centered the puck to Blunden after winning a battle in the corner. Blunden made no mistake sending the puck past Grumet-Morris from the slot.
Jon Rheault cut the Bulldogs lead back to 1 a few minutes later. His shot appeared to go off Cody Wild before finding its way behind Desjardins. Wild is on a professional try out contract, and it’s only his second game as a Bulldog.
The Rampage tied it towards the end of the period with Brendon Nash in the box for cross checking. Greg Rallo one timed a Casey Wellman pass at the top of the circle to send the game to the third tied at 2-2.
Early in the third, on another Power Play opportunity, the Rampage took the lead. Drew Shore got his stick on a puck in front of Desjardins for his 6th of the season. The Bulldogs had opportunities to tie the game but Grumet-Morris stood his ground shutting down his former team. Alex Petrovic added an insurance marker at the 16:23 mark; and finally Casey Wellman sealed it with an empty netter to give the Rampage a 5-2 win.
The Bulldogs 2-0 lead was eclipsed by 5 unanswered Rampage goals. Not only did this game mark the first time the Bulldogs lost in regulation after scoring first, but it is also the first time the Bulldogs did not close out a game after going into the second period with the lead.
The Rampage outshot the Bulldogs 44-33. Cedrick Desjardins stopped 39 shots in the loss, he played well despite allowing 4 goals. Clearly, it was not in the game plan to allow so many shots on Desjardins who had started back to back games for the Bulldogs, stopping 62 of the 68 shots he faced.
The Bulldogs will have Christmas off before coming back on Boxing day to take on the Toronto Marlies at 1pm, the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
1. HAM – Gabriel Dumont – 6 – (Louis Leblanc) 1:22
2nd Period:
2. HAM – Mike Blunden – 7 – (Joonas Nattinen) 5:34
3. SA – Jon Rheault – 8 – (Mike Mottau, Jon Sim) 8:16
4. SA – Greg Rallo – 11 – (Casey Wellman. Mike Mottau) 18:48 (PP)
3rd Period:
5. SA – Drew Shore – 6 – (Jon Sim, Greg Rallo) 2:33 (PP)
6. SA – Alex Petrovic – 3 – (Casey Wellman, Drew Shore) 16:23
7. SA – Casey Wellman – 4 (Jon Sim) 18:59 (EN)
Scoring:
San Antonio: 1-1-3-5
Hamilton: 0-2-0-2
Shots:
San Antonio: 16-11-17-44
Hamilton: 10-11-12-33
Goaltending:
San Antonio: Dov Grumet-Morris (W – 33 shots, 31 saves)
Hamilton: Cedrick Desjardins (L – 43 shots, 39 saves)
Power Play:
San Antonio: 2-for-6
Hamilton: 0-for-4
Attendance: 3,936
Three Stars:
1. SA – Greg Rallo (1 goal, 1 assist, 5 shots)
2. SA – Jon Sim (3 assists, +3, 5 shots)
3. HAM – Mike Blunden (1 goal, 4 shots)
