AHL Quick Hits

Published on May 7, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release

Houston can earn a return trip to the conference finals with a victory over Norfolk tonight at Compaq Center (7:00 CT, 8:00 ET). The Aeros lead the series, 3-2, after winning two games at Norfolk's Scope over the weekend. Houston forward Stephane Veilleux has a point on seven of the Aeros' 14 goals in the series, while Casey Hankinson leads the Admirals with four goals and six points in the five games. Grabbing the lead is key for both teams, as neither has lost a game this postseason when scoring first or when leading or tied at any intermission. The series winner meets top-seeded Grand Rapids in the Western Conference final.

Hamilton and Manitoba return to Copps Coliseum for tomorrow's Game 6 after the Moose pulled out a 3-1 victory on Monday night. Manitoba's leading playoff scorer Pat Kavanagh netted a pair of goals, his first two points of the series, and Tyler Moss made 27 saves for his fifth win of the playoffs. The Moose have become comfortable on the road, with a 5-2 mark away from home this postseason, including a split of Games 1 and 2 in Hamilton.

The winner of the Bulldogs-Moose series gets Binghamton in the Eastern Conference final, after the Senators took care of Bridgeport with a 2-1 win on Monday night. It was the first win of the series by the road team, and the B-Sens' first victory in six visits to the Arena at Harbor Yard this season. AHL All-Rookie goaltender Ray Emery shined with 34 saves in Game 6, and stopped 60 of 61 shots over the last two games of the series. Josh Langfeld and Chris Kelly provided the offense for Binghamton on Monday with a goal apiece.

TONIGHT'S GAMES
Game 6 – Norfolk at Houston, 7:00

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 – MANITOBA 3, Hamilton 1
Game 6 – Thu 5/8 at Hamilton, 7:00
*Game 7 – Sun 5/11 at Hamilton, 1:00
(Hamilton leads series, 3-2)

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 – Binghamton 2, BRIDGEPORT 1
(Binghamton wins series, 4-2)

*if necessary... All times local

FROM CALDER TO STANLEY:

Peter Schaefer had a goal and an assist to lead Ottawa to a series-clinching 5-1 win over Philadelphia on Monday... A 19-year-old Schaefer made his pro playoff debut with the Syracuse Crunch in 1997.

BY THE NUMBERS:

2 -- Number of teams in AHL history that have won both Games 6 and 7 of a Calder Cup Playoff series on the road... Portland rallied past Saint John in 1996, and the Pirates' Cumberland County predecessors, the Maine Mariners, knocked off Nova Scotia in 1983... Both Norfolk and Manitoba are looking to achieve the feat this week.

ON THIS DATE:

2001 – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeats Hershey in double overtime, 2-1, in the Penguins' fourth consecutive OT game... The Pens would make it five in a row (and four straight wins) two nights later.

ON THE AIR:

Thu., May 8 – Manitoba at Hamilton – Game 6 -- 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 7, 2003

• Rampage to Hold Meet and Greet at Northwoods Ice Center - San Antonio Rampage
• Wolf Pack, Clear Channel Renew Broadcast Agreement - Connecticut Whale
• AHL Quick Hits - AHL
• Admirals Update - Norfolk Admirals

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