The Bulldogs (4-5-1-1) look to end their 3 game losing skid against the Toronto Marlies (7-4-0-1) on Friday night, who come into tonight’s game on a 4 game winning streak. This is the fourth of twelve meetings between the two teams this season, with the Marlies leading the season series 2-1, after beating the Bulldogs 5-4 in overtime on October 26th. Defenceman Mike Kostka (2 goals, 9 assists) and Centre Keith Aucoin (1 goal, 10 assists) lead the Marlies with 11 points each. Brendan Gallagher (3 goals, 3 assists) leads the Bulldogs with 6 points this season. On the injury front, it is expected that Cedrick Desjardins will make his debut this weekend in goal, after missing training camp and the beginning of the season with a groin injury. Louis Leblanc is expected to be back within a week after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Toronto Marlies on October 20th.
The Bulldogs lineup for tonight’s game:
Forwards
13 Steven Quailer – 18 Michael Bournival – 28 Aaron Palushaj
14 Michael Blunden (A) – 40 Gabriel Dumont – 17 Brendan Gallagher
23 Joonas Nattinen – 47 Darryl Boyce (A) – 67 Alexander Avtsin
37 Patrick Holland – 11 Alain Berger – 12 Zack Stortini
Defensemen
32 Frederic St-Denis (A) – 44 Morgan Ellis
8 Nathan Beaulieu – 3 Antoine Corbin
5 Jarred Tinordi – 6 Joe Stejskal
Goaltenders
30 Cedrick Desjardins
29 Robert Mayer
The Marlies lineup for tonight’s game:
Forwards
87 Leo Komarov – 11 Keith Aucoin – 15 Spencer Abbott
13 Nazem Kadri – 22 Joe Colborne – 8 Greg Scott
12 Ryan Hamilton – 7 Mike Zigomanis – 29 Jerry D’Amigo
9 Nicholas Deschamps – 14 Will Acton – 18 Carter Ashton
Defensemen
19 Jake Gardiner – 21 Mike Kostka
2 Mark Fraser – 5 Korbinian Holzer
17 Paul Ranger – 24 Simon Gysbers
Goaltenders
Notes:
- The Marlies PP is heating up, scoring 5 times in its last 15 opportunities.
- Jussi Rynnas was expected to start after shutting out the Bulldogs 5-0 in his last attempt, however he suffered an injury in practice. Ben Scrivens will get the nod tonight in goal.
You can watch tonight’s game live on AHLLive ($), or listen to it here. Puck drop is at 7:30pm est.
