by Stories by Garry McKay, The Hamilton Spectator , The Hamilton Spectator

Left winger Steve Gainey and defenceman J.T. Kemp each had a goal to help the Dogs to a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phantoms at Copps Coliseum in an American Hockey League game.

Hamilton 4, Philadelphia 2

"(J.T.) Kemp moves the puck well and has good mobility and we were looking for a little more grit (up front) and Steve (Gainey) brings us that, experience and grit," said head coach Don Lever on the two new acquisitions.

Kemp, who was with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, was acquired by the Montreal Canadiens in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for a draft choice.

Gainey, who was playing for Idaho in the ECHL, signed a PTO (professional tryout contract) with Hamilton yesterday. He's the son of Habs' general manager Bob Gainey.

His goal, on a power play at 12:35 of the second period, made it 3-1. The six-foot, 180-pounder parked himself right in front of Philadelphia goaltender Michael Teslak and muscled a rebound past him.

Kemp beat Teslak on a slapshot from the point at 7:16 of the third to give Hamilton a 4-1 advantage.

It was at times a listless game, although the Bulldogs started strong, jumping out to a 2-0 first- period lead, and were never really threatened by Philly.

"We had a more solid first period and that was important," added Lever, who has been lamenting the Bulldogs slow starts.

"We played a pretty disciplined game. There was not much energy out there it seemed and not much enthusiasm. It was one of those types of games, but we played the way we had to."

David Desharnis, at 6:12, and Yanick Lehoux, at 16:56, scored Hamilton's first-period goals.

The teams traded goals in the second period. Sean Curry cut the Dogs' lead to 2-1 at the 6:40 mark. The Bulldogs got that back at 12:35 on Gainey's goal.

Kemp increased Hamilton's lead to 4-1 at 7:16 of the third period on a blast from the point.

Patrick Maroon scored the Phantoms' second goal from right in front in the final minute.

The Bulldogs wrap up their six-game homestand Friday night when they host the Lake Erie Monsters.

The Dogs also have a two-game road trip this week. They go to Cleveland Saturday and Rochester Sunday.

His and Misses

Molson Cup Three Stars: 1. Yanick Lehoux, Hamilton. 2. Steve Gainey, Hamilton. 3. Dan Jancevski, Hamilton.

Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Game (hardest working Bulldog): Mike Glumac.

Scratches: Cedrick Desjardins, Mathieu Aubin, Mathieu Carle.

Shots on goal: Hamilton 38 Philadelphia 21.

Attendance: 2,752

gMcKay@thespec.com

905-526-3242

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