Patrick Holland has really been heating up for the Bulldogs as of late, due to his hot play, he’s this edition’s Bulldog of the week.
Holland had a three game point streak snapped in yesterday’s Bulldogs 4-1 loss. In the three prior games this week Holland recorded two goals and two assists. Including the game winner against Peoria.
Holland, like most of the Bulldogs roster, is in his first professional year. He’s had his ups and downs this season but has been solid recently. With Gabriel Dumont in Montreal, the Bulldogs offence has to come from some different places, and Holland is performing.
Patrick opened the week with an assist on Joey Tenute’s game winning goal against Abbotsford. Though he ended up with only one point, he really displayed his playmaking ability and creativity all game. He could have had a few assists if not for a few bad bounces.
While in Grand Rapids, Holland again found the scoresheet, setting up Tenute for his second goal in as many games. He seems to be developing some chemistry with the 29 year old, Hamilton born sniper.
His breakout game came on Saturday when he potted two goals against the Peoria Riverman for the first two goal game in his professional career. Holland’s two goals, making the score 1-1 and 2-1, helped to send the Rivermen up stream.
The goals ended a 20 game drought for Holland who hadn’t scored since January 8th, against the Toronto Marlies.
*Holland’s goal against the Marlies came in the final second of the second period, and helped to tie the game in what eventually became a 2-1 Bulldogs win.
One of the ways Holland has been more effective is he’s putting the puck on the net a lot more. He has shots in his last 7 games. Holland is a pass first forward, but by putting the puck on net more he is keeping opposing goaltenders, and defenders, more honest.
Honourable mention to Dustin Tokarski for the second straight week, who had another strong showing for the Bulldogs, Tokarski went 1-1-0 in two starts and allowed only 2 goals on 58 shots, for a save percentage of .967.
Since joining the Bulldogs, Tokarski has never allowed more than 2 goals in a game. In that span he has recorded two shutouts and a .952 Save% to go along with his 4-3-0 record.
