BULLDOGS BARE THEIR TEETH
HAMILTON, Ontario – Daniel Corso (2-2—4) and Corey Locke (1-3—4) recorded four points each to lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 5-3 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Wednesday at Copps Coliseum.
Locke has been a menace this season, notching six goals and five assists against Grand Rapids (23-29-2-5). Hamilton (30-21-2-5) bolstered its case for second place in the North Division, while Grand Rapids remains in fifth place. The Griffins close their current three-game road trip against the Peoria Rivermen Friday at 8 p.m.
Carl Corazzini put Grand Rapids on the board early with a 5-on-3 tally 5:57 into the contest. Mark Cullen faked a shot from the high slot before sliding the puck to Corazzini, who went upstairs on Yann Danis from the left wing.
The lead turned out to be short-lived as a pair of Hamilton goals handed the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead before the first period was over. Marvin Degon struck first, evening the count at 8:32. With just under five minutes remaining, Kyle Chipchura deked around Jason Josza and stuck the puck past the shoulder of Jimmy Howard to give the Bulldogs their first lead.
Darren McCarty gave the Griffins some offense 70 seconds into the middle frame, tipping Josza’s shot from the left point past Danis to knot the score at two. At 17:35, however, Hamilton recaptured the lead when Locke snuck behind the Grand Rapids defense and beat Howard to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 edge.
Early in the third, the Bulldogs were awarded a 50-second 5-on-3 situation. Though the Griffins survived those 50 seconds, Hamilton added to its lead 12 seconds later as former Griffin Eric Manlow set up Corso for a power play goal at 2:57. For an encore, Corso zipped a breakaway shot from the left circle past Howard at 10:37, chasing the Griffins goaltender from the net.
Grand Rapids refused to roll over, drawing within 5-3 at 11:57 when Jamie Tardif slammed home the rebound of an Evan McGrath slap shot, but Hamilton would not allow the Griffins any closer.
Howard stopped 19-of-24 shots offered by the Bulldogs, while Adam Berkhoel turned away both shots he faced in relief. Danis, meanwhile, recorded 20 saves to earn the win for Hamilton.
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