Knights Prevail in Diaco’s Return to Hamilton
October 16, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
HAMILTON, ONTARIO. The Hamilton Bulldogs were back on home ice Sunday for the first time
since their home-opening 5-3 victory against the Oshawa Generals, facing long time Bulldog
George Diaco and his new team, the London Knights.
The game started off quickly for the Bulldogs with Patrick Thomas tapping in a cross-crease
pass from Noah Van Vliet, however it was immediately called back for goaltender interference
on Knights goalie Brett Brochu. Things did not improve for the Bulldogs as
London’s rookie
defenseman Sam Dickinson shot one through a screen for a powerplay goal with 8:58
remaining in the first period to make it 1-0 for London. Shortly after, Knights forward Sean
McGurn was able to scoop the puck out of a scramble and rip it over the blocker of Matteo
Drobac for his 2nd goal of the season, to double the lead with 2:54 remaining in the opening
frame. Drobac kept the Bulldogs in the game turning aside 12 of the 14 shots he faced in the
opening frame as Hamilton looked to regroup after 20 minutes.
London continued their initiative in the 2nd period, with Ryan Del Monte picking up a through-the-
legs drop pass from Brody Crane and sending it upstairs to give London a comfortable 3-0 lead
just 1:46 into the middle frame. However, a short 40 seconds later, Bulldogs forward Noah
VandenBrink picked up the puck in the neutral zone off a Knights errand pass and danced
around Sam Dickinson ‘s hip check attempt, sending it over to Florian Xhekaj who made no
mistake, ripping his shot past Brochu, underneath the blocker, for his 3rd career OHL goal,
cutting the Bulldogs deficit to 3-1. Late in the 2nd, opportunity knocked for the Bulldogs with
London’s Alec Leonard and Jackson Edward both sent to the box on the same play, giving
Hamilton a 2 minute 5-on-3 powerplay. A scramble in front of the net lead to Avery Hayes
pushing the puck past the line, however yet again, the goal was called back due to the whistle
being blown before the puck crossed the goal. The Knights were able to kill off the remaining
time on the penalties and went to the dressing room sporting their still intact 3-1 lead over the
Bulldogs.
After Drobac made a highlight reel glove save early in the 3rd period, Bulldogs got the
momentum boost they needed with Cole Brown taping one home off a deflected Noah Van Vliet
left point drive for his 4th of the season to cut the Knights lead down to 3-2 with 14:51 to play.
Four minutes later, the Bulldogs went back to the power play and mounted pressure onto the
Knights goal, keeping the puck inside the London zone for nearly the entire 2-minutes but
couldn’t squeak one past Brochu despite an exhausted Knights penalty kill. With just over 2-
minutes remaining in the game, Drobac raced to the bench for the extra attacker, but the
Knights were able to beat out an icing, gathering the puck to Denver Barkey for the empty net
marker, securing the Knights ‘ 4-2 victory.
The Hamilton Bulldogs head right back on the road on Friday, October 21st making the short trip
down the 403 to faceoff against the Mississauga Steelheads for a 7:00pm puck drop before
returning home on Saturday, October 22nd to face off against the Peterborough Petes for the
second time this season, for a 4:00pm matinee game at FirstOntario Centre.
For more information on Hamilton Bulldogs 2022-23 Season Ticket packages call 905-529-
8500 or visit
hamiltonbulldogs.com.
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