Hamilton Bulldogs break team shutout record with win over Toronto Marlies

HAMILTON, Ont. - Cedrick Desjardins made 15 saves as the Hamilton Bulldogs extended their shutout streak to three games with a 3-0 win against the Toronto Marlies on Friday night in American Hockey League play.

P.K. Subban scored twice and Brock Trotter added a single as Hamilton improved to 14-6-4.

The win marked Desjardins' second straight shutout and broke Hamilton's franchise records for longest team shutout streak and longest individual shutout streak. The Bulldogs haven't been scored on in 198 minutes 51 seconds.

"You don't want to think about (the streak)," said Desjardins. "I just keep having fun out there playing the game. I'm here to get my ice time, and the only way is to stop every puck."

The Marlies (10-9-4), on the other hand, have been struggling to score lately. They have just one goal in their last three games.

"We're lacking skilled players right now," said Toronto coach Dallas Eakins. "We're missing a number of guys. Trades happens and injuries happen and it's something you have to deal with."

Trotter got the scoring started for the Bulldogs late in the first period. The forward broke in down the left wing, snapping a shot past Marlies goalie Adam Munro for his 11th point in the last 10 games.

Subban added another midway through the second period, powering his way to the slot and finding the top corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season. He added a short-handed, empty-net goal late in the third period.

"When you get shutouts, usually it's either because your goalie is totally outstanding or, and it's happening now, is we give very little chances to the opponent," said Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher. "Everybody is really focused on what we have to do defensively."

The game was a physical affair, with two fights and three brawls that resulted in roughing minors and 20 penalties in total.

"We're always going to be physical," said Eakins. "It's not something we shy away from."

NOTES: The Marlies were without Jiri Tlusty, who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday for prospect Phillipe Paradis. . . The Marlies dressed Robert Slaney, who has no goals and three assists in 11 games, to fill the hole left by Tlusty. . . Boucher told Curtis Sanford he would start Saturday's game in Toronto, but is reconsidering his decision given Desjardin's shutout streak. "I've got to think about this one now," said Boucher. "I want to be fair, but I want to be smart. It's a 4 p.m. game tomorrow."