Coming off of a shutout victory against a challenging Milwaukee Admirals team Wednesday night, the Lake Erie Monsters will be looking to end their nine-game home stand on a high note against a stingy Hamilton Bulldogs team Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The following day, the Monsters will be hitting the road once again and begin their travels in Rochester to face the Americans for the final time at Blue Cross Arena in the 2009-10 regular season. These teams represent the number one and two spot, respectively in the North Division, the same division in which the Monsters are battling for a playoff position.

The Hamilton Bulldogs arrive at The Q with an overall record of 34-12-3-4 and are first place in both the North Division and Western Conference. The Monsters are 3-3-0-0 when facing the Bulldogs this season but have won the last three out of four matchups between the two rivals.

The Monsters will be looking to advance their winning streak to three and stifle the Bulldogs winning streak which is at seven games currently.

The Monsters must take advantage of every opportunity they are given because the Bulldogs have allowed the fewest goals of any team in the AHL (115) and have allowed the second fewest shots in the league (1380). Both Hamilton goalies are in the top five for goals against average and shutouts in the AHL; Cedrick Desjardins (1.85 GAA, 5 SO) and Curtis Sanford (2.04 GAA, 4 SO).

After Friday’s contest, the Monsters will be making a quick trip to Rochester to face the Americans Saturday evening. The Americans hold a record of 30-20-2-0 but the Monsters have been rather successful against the number two team in the North this season with a 5-1-0-0 mark.

The Americans player that the Monsters will have to keep an eye on is Jamie Johnson. Johnson is sixth in the league in scoring with 51 points (19G, 32A) thus far. The team with the upper-hand after 40 minutes of play will most likely win as the Americans are 20-2-0-0 and the Monsters are 19-1-0-3 when leading after two periods.

After Saturday, the Monsters will stay on the road for the following weekend with games against Syracuse and Hershey before returning home with a 10:45 a.m. match against Hershey on February 24th.

Friday's game and every game this season will be broadcast on the Monsters flagship radio station, ESPN 850 WKNR.  Listen Live on ESPN 850 WKNR | Watch here via AHL Live