Colts stand in way of East title
The Hamilton Bulldogs can do more than clinch the Eastern Conference title with a win over the Barrie Colts Wednesday at home.
They can restore some pride. Despite their first-place standing, the Bulldogs have struggled in their three previous meetings with the Colts this season. Their best result was a shootout win in late September.
After that, the Colts blew them out — twice.
“We’re not even thinking about clinching the conference,” said defenceman Jack Hanley. “Just Barrie.
“We owe them, big time.” The visiting Colts are the only team that could come between the Bulldogs and their first title, although the odds of it happening are slim. They trail Hamilton by nine points going into the 7 p.m. matchup with six tilts to go and a game in hand.
Regardless, the Bulldogs want to take the conference outright with a win over Barrie. More than that, though, they want to set the tone.
“It is kind of our last chance to show who’s in control of the East,” said blueliner Justin Lemcke. “They handed it to us a few times throughout the season and we haven’t played them that well, so just show them who the best team in the East is and clinch the conference and go into playoffs with a positive attitude.”
It’s been a busy week for the Bulldogs in the lead up to their game against Barrie. Here’s a look at who’s making news:
Thomas is top player
Robert Thomas has finally found his place in Hamilton, and it’s right between Mackenzie Entwistle and Matt Strome. Over the weekend, the recently assembled trio combined for three goals and 11 points in wins over Niagara, Ottawa and Oshawa. That includes seven helpers from Thomas, who earned OHL player of the week honours.
31 wins for Fulcher
Kaden Fulcher is rewriting the record book in his first season as an OHL starter. The 19-year-old Detroit Red Wings prospect improved to 31-15-3-2 with his 18save effort against Oshawa on Sunday.
That makes him the first goaltender in the history of the Bulldogs — either OHL or AHL — to surpass the 30-win mark. His 31 wins are also third most in the league, behind Sault Ste. Marie’s Matthew Villalta and Sarnia’s Justin Fazio.
Kaliyev sets new mark
Fulcher isn’t the only one making history. Arthur Kaliyev set a new franchise mark for rookie scoring with his goal against North Bay late last month. He now has 28 goals, which is the most among the league’s 16-year-old players — by a long shot. It’s also two more than Daniel Cleary, the former record holder, scored in his 1994-95 rookie campaign with the Belleville Bulls.
Stillman signs
Riley Stillman is one step closer to his NHL dream. On Sunday, the Bulldogs blueliner inked a three-year entry level deal with the Florida Panthers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 entry draft. Stillman, 19, has three goals, 15 assists and a plus-17 rating since coming to Hamilton from Oshawa in late December.
His father, Peterborough native Cory Stillman, also played parts of three seasons for the Panthers during his 17-year NHL career.
Bulldogs host panel
The Bulldogs are hosting a panel series on careers in sport prior to Wednesday’s game. The event, which gets underway at 1 p.m. at FirstOntario Centre, features talks about working in a team environment, leadership and what makes a successful sports manager.
It also includes an intern fair, where organizations such as the Peterborough Petes, Toronto Blue Jays and Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be collecting resumes “for potential paid and internship roles.”