Injuries pile up for Bulldogs

The injury list keeps growing for the Hamilton Bulldogs.

When the team hosts Niagara Saturday, it will be without several key veterans, including defenceman Jack Hanley and forward Matt Strome.

The latter, who led the team in scoring last season, injured his left shoulder when he was checked into the boards i n last Sunday’s game against Kingston.

He didn’t practise this week and the team described his status as day to day.

The Bulldogs wouldn’t elaborate on the injury, although head coach John Gruden said he’s hopeful “it’s nothing too serious.”

Confusingly, he also said he’s “optimistic but pessimistic” when asked if there was a chance Strome would be back in the lineup for Monday’s game in Sarnia.

Hanley, meanwhile, is out with concussion symptoms after receiving a check to the head in last Saturday’s game in Barrie. The OHL suspended Colts forward Ben Hawerchuk for eight games this week after the Bulldogs submitted video of the hit for review.

No penalty was called on the play.

Gruden said it’s unclear when Hanley will return — a blow to a blue line already missing Ben Gleason, who has yet to suit up after undergoing wrist surgery in the off-season. On top of that, OHL rules limit the Bulldogs to dressing just three of their four overage rearguards, which means only five defencemen will be on the ice when they face Niagara. It’s not all bad news, though. According to Gruden, Gleason is expected to be cleared to play against Sarnia Monday and forward Mackenzie Entwistle, who suffered a rib injury while attend- ing training camp with the Arizona Coyotes last month, should be back in time for next weekend’s three-in-three.

“We have two more games to get through — or one with some question marks — and hopefully Monday we get some good news on some guys,” said Gruden. “The good thing is our younger players are playing well.”

The week ahead

Niagara Saturday, 7 p.m., FirstOntario Centre

The storyline: After a 3-0 start, the IceDogs had lost two straight — to Peterborough and struggling Sudbury — going into Friday’s game against Oshawa.

Player to watch: Before taking on the Generals, Akil Thomas had at least a point in each of his last four games and led the team in scoring.

Neat stat: The IceDogs have spent more time in the penalty box to start the season than any other team in the OHL at 15.8 minutes per game.

Hamilton connection: Johnathon Schaefer is from Stoney Creek. At Sarnia Monday, 2 p.m. The storyline: The Sting had won three straight before taking on Barrie Friday and were 4-1 to start the season.

Player to watch: Drake Rymsha had nine points and 67 faceoff wins to start the weekend, which was tops in the OHL in both categories.

Neat stat: As of Thursday, Sarnia had outscored its opponents 12-3 in the second period this season — the biggest single-period differential in the league.

Hamilton connection: Jamieson Rees is from Hamilton and Ryan McGregor is from Burlington.