HAYES’ 3 POINTS LEAD BULLDOGS TO 11TH STRAIGHT WIN
HAMILTON, ONTARIO. In the Bulldogs final game before the 2022 Outdoor Showcase on Monday, the team squared off with the Mississauga for the final time this regular season at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre on Friday night.
Entering the game with a 4 point lead in the Eastern Conference and a returning Mason McTavish, Hamilton received their first major contribution of the night from goaltender Marco Costantini, playing back to back and sharp right from puck drop, Costantini stopped Zander Veccia 3 times in the same sequence, twice from in tight to keep the Bulldogs level. The hard work of the Hamilton net minder paid off as Artem Grushnikov sent Ryan Humphrey away on a breakaway lifting the puck over Joe Ranger for his 17th goal of the season at 3:44 with Avery Hayes picking up the secondary assist. Just over 4 minutes later, George Diaco sent Avery Hayes away on a clear breakaway, with Hayes waving his stick over the puck and letting it run through Ranger’s pads for the “no move” finish of his 33rd of the season at 7:52 giving the Bulldogs the 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.
The Bulldogs doubled the lead in the second frame, after getting out of penalty trouble thanks to a Costantini led PK would get an opportunity to take advantage on a pair of power-plays of their own. First at 5:26, Mason McTavish and Gavin White would combine on the left to get the puck to Logan Morrison in the right circle, snapping a shot through the legs of Ranger giving the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead. With time expiring on the second period and on the man advantage Logan Morrison would get the puck on the right side from Gavin White and while the initial shot wouldn’t strike, Hayes would on the follow up for his 2nd of the game & 34th of season giving the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes with Marco Costantini keeping the door nailed shut in the Bulldogs goal.
Mississauga drew one back in the third period, just past the halfway point on a 4-on-3 power-play James Hardie would finish a play at the side of the Bulldogs net to make it 4-1. Despite a third period push from the Steelheads, Costantini wouldn’t the door open again while at 16:31, Ryan Winterton and George Diaco battled the puck loose behind the Steelheads’ goal where Mason McTavish would collect on the left side, carry all the way around the offensive zone and attack off the right wing, lifting the puck over Ranger on the backhand for his 13th of the season sealing Hamilton’s 11th win in a row, along with 34 saves from Marco Costantini.
The Hamilton Bulldogs return home on Monday, March 14th for the Outdoor Showcase at Tim Hortons Field with Fan Fest beginning at 5:00pm and puck drop against the Oshawa Generals at 7:00pm.
For more information on the 2022 Outdoor Showcase or Hamilton Bulldogs tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com
