AHL Quick Hits

Published on May 5, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release

Hamilton moved to within one win of a return to the Eastern Conference finals with a convincing 6-2 win over Manitoba yesterday afternoon; Game 5 is tonight in Winnipeg (7:30 CT, 8:30 ET). Bill Lindsay, whose playoff experience includes a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals with Florida in 1996, recorded his first professional hat trick for the Bulldogs, and Tony Salmelainen added three assists, his first three points of the playoffs. The Moose, who have lost three of their four home games this postseason, have been outscored 7-0 in the second period of the four contests with Hamilton.

Binghamton can wrap up its series with a Game 6 win in Bridgeport tonight (7:05 ET), although the Senators are 0-4-1 at the Arena at Harbor Yard this season, scoring a total of five goals. The home team has won every game of this series, and the Sound Tigers are 11-2 in front of the home crowd over the last two postseasons, outscoring their opponents by a 46-21 margin. Rick DiPietro, the Sound Tigers' stellar 21-year-old goaltender, has a 2-2 record, a 2.00 GAA, a .930 save percetnage and one shutout in the series, nearly identical numbers to his 20-year-old counterpart Ray Emery (3-2, 2.12, ..929, 1 SO).

The Aeros moved into the pilot's seat with a 4-1 win in Norfolk yesterday, taking a 3-2 series lead over the Admirals as the series returns to Houston. Marc Cavosie registered a goal and an assist, Stephane Veilleux picked up his league-leading ninth assist of the playoffs and Johan Holmqvist stopped 34 of 35 shots as Houston improved to 6-0 when scoring the game's first goal. Former Aero Brett McLean scored the Admirals' only goal of the contest.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Game 6 – Binghamton at Bridgeport, 7:05
Game 5 – Hamilton at Manitoba, 7:30

SERIES SCHEDULES

Western Conference Semifinals
1-Grand Rapids vs. 4-Chicago
Game 1 – GRAND RAPIDS 4, Chicago 3 (OT)
Game 2 – GRAND RAPIDS 3, Chicago 1
Game 3 – Grand Rapids 2, CHICAGO 1
Game 4 – Grand Rapids 2, CHICAGO 0
(Grand Rapids wins series, 4-0)

2-Houston vs. 3-Norfolk
Game 1 – HOUSTON 5, Norfolk 4 (2OT)
Game 2 – Norfolk 4, HOUSTON 0
Game 3 – NORFOLK 3, Houston 2
Game 4 – Houston 3, NORFOLK 2
Game 5 – Houston 4, NORFOLK 1
Game 6 – Wed 5/7 at Houston, 7:00
*Game 7 – Thu 5/8 at Houston, 7:00
(Houston leads series, 3-2)

Eastern Conference Semifinals
1-Hamilton vs. 9-Manitoba
Game 1 – Manitoba 2, HAMILTON 1
Game 2 – HAMILTON 5, Manitoba 2
Game 3 – Hamilton 2, MANITOBA 1 (2OT)
Game 4 – Hamilton 6, MANITOBA 2
Game 5 – Mon 5/5 at Manitoba, 7:30
*Game 6 – Thu 5/8 at Hamilton, 7:00
*Game 7 – Sun 5/11 at Hamilton, 1:00
(Hamilton leads series, 3-1)

3-Binghamton vs. 5-Bridgeport
Game 1 – BINGHAMTON 2, Bridgeport 1 (OT)
Game 2 – BINGHAMTON 3, Bridgeport 2
Game 3 – BRIDGEPORT 5, Binghamton 0
Game 4 – BRIDGEPORT 3, Binghamton 2
Game 5 – BINGHAMTON 3, Bridgeport 0
Game 6 – Mon 5/5 at Bridgeport, 7:05
*Game 7 – Tue 5/6 at Binghamton, 7:05
(Binghamton leads series, 3-2)

*if necessary... All times local

ALUMNI WATCH: At the 2003 World Championships in Finland, Worcester IceCats forward John Pohl notched a goal and two assists as the United States defeated Belarus on Saturday, 4-2.

BY THE NUMBERS:

16 -- Most consecutive home wins in AHL playoff history... The Providence Bruins won their last home contest in 1997, all 10 in 1999 and their first five in 2000.

ON THIS DATE:

1995 – Garth Snow records his second consecutive shutout, backstopping Cornwall to a 6-0 victory over Binghamton in Game 4 of their division final series... 1993 – On the fifth day of the fifth month, Bill McDougall scores five goals, a Calder Cup Playoff record, in Cape Breton's 8-2 win over St. John's.

ON THE AIR:

Thu., May 8 – Manitoba at Hamilton – Game 6 (if nec.) -- Rogers Sportsnet (national) -- 7:00 ET
Sun., May 11 – Manitoba at Hamilton – Game 7 (if nec.) -- Rogers Sportsnet (national) -- 1:00 ET

American Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2003

• Canadian Rock Icons 'Teenage Head' to Headline Free Pre-Game Party - Hamilton Bulldogs
• Bulldogs lead series 3-2 after Falling to Moose - Hamilton Bulldogs
• Sound Tigers Eliminated By B-Sens - Bridgeport Islanders
• Phantoms announce coloring contest for season ticket book - Adirondack Phantoms
• Bulldogs Look to Win Conference Semi-Finals Tonight - Hamilton Bulldogs
• AHL Quick Hits - AHL
• Norfolk Facing Elimination from Playoffs - Norfolk Admirals
• Sound Tigers Tie Series But Fall Behind Again - Bridgeport Islanders

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