Once again it was too little, too late. The Houston Aeros sustained the third period barrage and held on for a 3-2 win. Lots of similarities can be said between games 1 and 2. Not enough effort in the first two periods, special teams were shutdown, never lead in any part of the game, and the top guns for the ‘Dogs failed to show up on the score sheet. Drew MacIntyre had a mediocre game making just 24 saves not his usual .935 save percentage while Matt Hackett was excellent stopping 27 saves. A late second period goal with 10 seconds remaining broke a tie game which was the turning point of the game 2.  

Lots of negatives can be said about the Bulldogs thus far in this series but coach Cunneyworth felt his team played better. “I think we have a little more to give,” head coach Randy Cunneyworth said. “It’s a time when you can’t afford to have one guy not on his game. We’ve had a few guys not contribute as much as we need and that can be the game.”

Gabriel Dumont continues to impress notching his 5th of the post season who is now 5th on the team in points. Ryan Russell was the other goal scorer for Hamilton also his 5th of the playoffs.

The ‘Dogs have now lost 4 of the last 5 games in Texas during the playoffs dating back to last year’s run to the Western Finals. A trip back to Hamilton can change their magical post season around. The ‘Dogs have been a dominating 6-1 at home and with the next three games at home (let’s hope it’s three!) anything is possible.

The Hamilton Bulldogs need to get out of the funk quick if they want to climb back into the series who are down by two for the first time this post-season. It won’t be an easy task as they are to play two games in two nights and hopefully three in four nights.

Game 3 drops on Tuesday night at the Copps Coliseum.