'Dogs oust Amerks; Advance to North Division final

Published on April 28, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


HAMILTON, ON - Maxim Lapierre scored two goals to lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 6-2 win over the Rochester Americans in Game 6 of their playoff series on Saturday night at Copps Coliseum. Hamilton wins the North Division Semi-Final series 4-2 and advance to the North Division Final against either the Grand Rapids Griffins or the Manitoba Moose. (Grand Rapids lead s that series 3-2)

The Bulldogs opened the scoring when Eric Manlow notched his second goal of the playoffs at the 8:55 mark of the first period. Mikhail Grabovski chipped the puck to Manlow who turned and fired a shot past Rochester goaltender Craig Anderson. Also assisting on the play was Andrew Archer.

At 14:46 of the first frame, the Americans evened the score 1-1 when defenceman Timo Helbling took a shot from the point that found its way through a crowd and past Hamilton netminder Carey Price. Dylan Hunter and Stefan Meyer assisted on Helbling's second goal of the post-season.

The teams exchanged goals early in the second period. At 4:57, Maxim Lapierre picked up his own rebound and banked in his third goal of the playoffs to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. The Americans responded just 1:13 later when Clarke MacArthur tipped home a pass from Janis Sprukts to tie the score 2-2.

Hamilton regained its lead at the 7:57 mark of the third stanza when Ryan O'Byrne's centering attempt from the far right boards deflected off a Rochester defenceman and into the back of the net. The unassisted game-winning goal was the first of O'Byrne's professional goal.

The Bulldogs added three more goals late in the third period to seal the series win.

On the power play, Maxim Lapierre notched his second goal of the game and fourth of the playoffs from Corey Locke and Duncan Milroy at the 16:17 mark. With Rochester's net empty, Kyle Chipchura registered his first professional post-season goal at 19:11. Then with only 11 seconds remaining, Corey Locke scored a breakaway goal to round out the scoring at 6-2.

Between the pipes, Price made 25 saves on 27 shots and picked up the win for Hamilton, while Rochester's Anderson turned aside 27 of the 33 shots he faced in a losing effort.

The Bulldogs were 1-for-6 on the power play while the Americans went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.

If Grand Rapids defeats Manitoba in the other North Division Semi-Final series, the Hamilton Bulldogs will continue their quest for the Calder Cup next Thursday and Saturday nights, when they'll take on the Griffins in Games 1 and 2 of the North Division Final at Copps Coliseum. But, if Manitoba wins Games 6 and 7 of their best-of-seven series against Grand Rapids, the Hamilton Bulldogs will continue their quest for the Calder Cup next Saturday and Sunday nights, when they'll take on the Moose in Games 1 and 2 of the North Division Final at the MTS Centre, before the scene of the series shifts to Copps Coliseum for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday, May 8 and Saturday, May 12.

Fans can purchase tickets for ‘Dogs home games "A" and "B" of the North Division Final beginning on Monday at 12-noon at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at ticketmaster.ca, or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2007


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