BULLDOGS BAG BARRIE
HAMILTON, Ontario – Matt Luff would score the game winning goal 3:22 into the third period for the Hamilton Bulldogs (15-23-3-0) as they defeated the Barrie Colts (24-16-0-1) by a final score of 6-4.
The Bulldogs would jump out quickly on Friday night, the first game of a four game home stand for the ‘Dogs. Just 2:24 into the game Bulldogs forward MacKenzie Entwistle would jump on a rebound off a Cole Candella shot and beat Barrie starting goaltender David Ovsjannikov. The first year forward’s second of the year was also assisted by Luke Kutkevicius.
Hamilton would go ahead 2-0 as a strong Bulldogs forecheck on the power play would lead to a cross crease pass from Michael Cramarossa to Brandon Saigeon for his third of the year. Ben Gleason would also draw an assist on the goal at 3:23.
The ‘Dogs would up their lead to 3-0 before the period was out as Kutkevicius would corral the rebound off his own shot and roof the puck past Ovsjannikov for his first goal as a Bulldog. Jack Hidi and Entwistle would get the assists at 17:34.
Barrie would make it 3-1 at 19:17 as Burlington native Justin Scott tipped home a Michael Webster shot and beat Bulldogs starter Connor Hicks. Rasmus Andersson would also draw an assist on Scott’s 17th of the year.
Ovsjannikov would start the second period on the bench in favour of Mackenzie Blackwood.
The goaltending change seemed to spark the Colts as Dylan Sadowy buried a rebound off a Kevin Labanc wrist shot. The power play goal came at 6:42. Andersson would also register an assist.
Hamilton would quickly restore their two goal lead when a Connor Walters shot bounced off of Matthew Strome’s leg and into the net. Cole Candella would draw an assist on Strome’s 6th of the year on the power play at 9:41.
Barrie would bounce right back as another power play for the Colts would allow Scott to get his second of the game on a rebound. Anthony Stefano and Webster would get the assists at 12:34.
A second period that saw 12 combined penalties would come to an end with Hamilton ahead 4-3.
Luff would get his aforementioned game winning goal on a great individual wrap around play that beat Blackwood. Walters would also register an assist on the goal.
After the goal, Blackwood would shoot the puck into the crowd drawing a penalty and a game misconduct that would force Ovsjannikov back into the crease.
Shortly after, Andrew Mangiapane would squeak one past Hicks to make it 5-4. Labanc and Andersson would see assists on Mangiapane’s 21st of the year at 5:57.
Barrie would get no closer however as Cramarossa would rifle a wrist shot into the roof of the net to make the score 6-4. Trent Fox got the lone assist at 11:43.
Hicks would make 34 saves in the win for Hamilton, while Blackwood would make six saves in the loss for Barrie.
Hamilton is right back at it tomorrow night as they play host to the 22-11-5-1 Sarnia Sting. Game time is set for 7:00p.m.
3 Stars
1-Luke Kutkevicius (1G, 1A)
2-Justin Scott (2G)
3-MacKenzie Entwistle (1G, 1A)
Dan Lawrie Premium Player of the Game (Hardest Working Player): Brandon Saigeon
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