TORONTO,ONT- Despite being a stumbling block for the Toronto Marlies this season the Hamilton Bulldogs were outshone on a glorious day in Hamilton. The AHL outdoor game at the Ivor Wynne Stadium was a shining spectacular on a day that had it all, goals fights a huge crowd and let’s not forget bright sunshine.
The 20,565 in attendance were treated to a hard hitting old time hockey that was on a par with the NHL outdoor game earlier in the month. Drawing first blood the Bulldogs punished the Marlies who were unable to clear the puck, excellent work on the forecheck and a cross crease pass from behind Ben Scrivens in net from Ian Schultz set up Dany Masse for the first goal in an AHL outdoor game in Canada.
Not to let the Bulldogs get any momentum the Marlies reacted to the goal by dropping the gloves, Marlies Kelsey Wilson offering Zack FitzGerald to dance who gladly obliged to the delight of the roaring crowd. Wilson`s plan worked as the Marlies responded with a re-directed goal from Mike Zigomanis to tie the game.
Greg Scott then slotted home for the Marlies following good work in the corner after a big hit on Aaron Palushaj to make it 2-1. Working the cycle Scott powered the net to roof the Marlies second of the night. An excellent feed from Zigomanis set up a speeding Drew Paris who blasted home from the blue line after the Bulldogs were caught deep in their own zone giving the trailing Paris an open shot. Palushaj an unlikely fighter took exception to some of the Marlies play and looked for payback after being floored earlier in the period dropping the gloves with Korbinian Holzer to finish the period 3-1.
Picking the puck up at the half way line Marcel Mueller drove the Bulldogs zone on a two on one with Matt Frattin before faking the pass to beat a sprawling Lawson in net unassisted giving the Marlies a controlling 4-1 lead. Against the run of play a poor line change by the Marlies gave the Bulldogs the chance to pass the length of the ice to Louis Leblanc who deked Scrivens in net to make it 4-2.
Unable to break down the Marlies in the third, the game was put away with a further three goals from Joe Colbourne, Nicolas Deschamps and a second from Scott all scored in the last four minutes of play. Despite holding the Marlies to a 3-1-0 this season the out of sorts Bulldogs were not in the game for the most part.
Tempers flared yet again before the final whistle when Ian Schultz tried to send a message ahead of this weekend’s match up when the two teams meet again. Going toe to toe with Marlies Kyle Neuber ending a frustrating day for the Bulldogs and despite being ejected from the game a scene more familiar with WWE wrestling took place when Schultz tried to fight Neuber after leaving the ice waiting for Neuber at the end of the walkway setup to get to the changing rooms before being escorted away from the rink.
Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com
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