Bulldogs split weekend games

Boy, the Hamilton Bulldogs could've used a powerplay goal on Sunday.

Heaven knows they had their chances. Eight of them. But for the fourth-straight game, the man-advantage was no advantage at all. Which helps explain why they fell 3-1 to the Sudbury Wolves at FirstOntario Centre.

Hamilton's Nick Lardis opened the scoring early in the first period when he fired the puck past Sudbury goalie Kevyn Brassard. It was his 31st goal of the season. Sudbury's Quentin Musty would tie the game at 14:18 while Nicholas Yearwood would score the winner 40 seconds later.

Kocha Delic added an insurance goal for Sudbury at 5:02 of the second.

Even with four of those powerplays in the third period, Hamilton couldn't claw their way back. It's been a bit of an issue lately as the Bulldogs are now zero for their last 13 chances. Their last powerplay goal was scored by Lardis 10 days ago. And the one before that? You have to go back to Feb. 11. Also by Lardis.

That said, the powerplay is only half of the special teams story with Hamilton. And the other side is pretty darn great.

The penalty kill has been absolutely brilliant. In fact, the Bulldogs have killed off their last 22 shorthanded situations going back seven-and-a-half games. It's a big reason they beat the Kington Frontenacs 4-2 in the first half of the weekend homestand.

Hamilton went 4-4 in the penalty kill - they were 5-for-5 on Sunday against Sudbury - including extinguishing a two-man advantage for nearly two full minutes at the start of the third period.

Ben Bujold scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season to lead the game's scoring. Noah Van Vliet and Sahil Panwar added a tally each. Kingston's Alec Belanger and Gage Heyes scored for the visitors.

The Bulldogs head to Erie on Tuesday and Barrie on Thursday before returning home for games against Owen Sound on Friday (7 p.m.) and Erie on Sunday (2 p.m.).

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