Monsters lose to Bulldogs

Despite rookie goalie Calvin Pickard tying a career high with 44 saves, the Lake Erie Monsters  fell by a 1-0 score to the Bulldogs at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. 

In a scoreless game until the last four minutes, the Monsters registered 29 shots against Hamilton netminder – and former Monster - Cedrick Desjardins, but were unable to register a goal.

Pickard turned away 44 of 45 shots, including 17 in both the second and third periods, but Hamilton's Steve Quailer scored a power play goal with 3:43 remaining in the game to propel the Bulldogs to victory.

Desjardins, who spent last season with Lake Erie, stopped 29 of 29 in net for Hamilton; he is 5-2-0.

The Monsters next host Rochester at Quicken Loans Arena Thursday night at 7:00 PM.

NOTES: The Monsters are now 8-2-0-0 against Hamilton since the start of 2011-12... The Monsters finish a four-game road trip with a 1-3-0-0 record, and are now 9-7-0-0 on the road this season... Pickard is now 3-1-0-0 this season when making over 40 saves... Mike Connolly's four-game point streak snaps with the Monsters loss in Hamilton... The Monsters are now 3-5-0-0 against North Division opponents… Thursday’s game against Rochester will begin a five-game home stand for the Monsters.