AHL Quick Hits

Published on May 14, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release

Hamilton got an early leg up in the Eastern Conference Final with a 5-1 victory over Binghamton in Game 1 last night. League MVP Jason Ward sparked a four-goal second period with a goal at the 4:11 mark, and Nate DiCasmirro and Mike Bishai added shorthanded goals 105 seconds apart. Jarret Stoll recorded a power play tally, and Ward's second goal of the night made it 5-0 early in the third. Eric Fichaud made 30 saves for the win, allowing only a David Hymovitz goal with 6:44 left in regulation. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 18-8 in the second period this postseason, including 7-0 in the last two games.

To avoid heading south for three games in an 0-2 hole, Grand Rapids must get back in the win column in Game 2 tonight at Van Andel Arena (7:00 ET, 6:00 CT). The Griffins' 3-2 overtime loss in Monday's opener was their first setback on home ice since Mar. 28, and marked the Aeros' sixth Game 1 win in as many series since joining the AHL last year. Grand Rapids forward Stacy Roest has a goal in five straight games and four game-winners on the postseason, one shy of the AHL record first set by Cleveland's Wally Hergesheimer in 1951. Houston's line of Tony Tuzzolino, Marc Cavosie and Mark Cullen has combined for 13 points and a plus-15 rating in the last four games.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Game 2 – Houston at Grand Rapids, 7:00

SERIES SCHEDULES

Western Conference Final
1-Grand Rapids vs. 2-Houston
Game 1 – Houston 3, GRAND RAPIDS 2 (OT)
Game 2 – Wed 5/14 at Grand Rapids, 7:00
Game 3 – Fri 5/16 at Houston, 7:30
Game 4 – Sat 5/17 at Houston, 7:30
*Game 5 – Mon 5/19 at Houston, 7:00
*Game 6 – Wed 5/21 at Grand Rapids, 7:00
*Game 7 – Thu 5/22 at Grand Rapids, 7:00
(Houston leads series, 1-0)

Eastern Conference Final
1-Hamilton vs. 3-Binghamton
Game 1 – HAMILTON 5, Binghamton 1
Game 2 – Thu 5/15 at Hamilton, 7:00
Game 3 – Mon 5/19 at Binghamton, 7:05
Game 4 – Tue 5/20 at Binghamton, 7:05
*Game 5 – Thu 5/22 at Hamilton, 7:00
*Game 6 – Fri 5/23 at Binghamton, 7:05
*Game 7 – Sun 5/25 at Hamilton, 4:00
(Hamilton leads series, 1-0)

Western Conference Semifinals
1-Grand Rapids def. 4-Chicago, 4-0
2-Houston def. 3-Norfolk, 4-2

Eastern Conference Semifinals
1-Hamilton def. 9-Manitoba, 4-3
3-Binghamton def. 5-Bridgeport, 4-2

*if necessary... All times local

BY THE NUMBERS:

76.9 -- In 450 all-time playoff match-ups in AHL history, percentage of teams that win Game 2 and go on to win the series. This spring, Game 2 winners have taken 12 of 16 series (75.0%).

FROM CALDER TO STANLEY:

Pascal Rheaume picked up an assist in New Jersey's 4-1 win over Ottawa last night in Game 2 of the NHL's Eastern Conference Final. Rheaume has 50 games of AHL playoff experience to his credit, including a Calder Cup championship with the Albany River Rats in 1995.

ON THIS DATE:

2000 – Providence's John Grahame and Hartford's J-F. Labbe combine for 119 saves in the Bruins' 3-2 double-overtime win in Game 4 of the conference finals... Grahame improves to 10-0 on the postseason with the victory... 1997 – Syracuse advances to the conference finals with a 5-4 win in Game 7 at Baltimore... 1993 – Rochester scores six times on 14 shots in the third period to stave off elimination with a 7-5 win over Binghamton in Game 6; the Amerks would go on to take Game 7 and advance to the Calder Cup Finals.

CRASH THE 'NET:

Visit caldercup.com for links to the cybercasts of every Calder Cup Playoff game... Join Grand Rapids' Bob Kaser, Houston's Ken Double, Hamilton's Derek Wills or Binghamton's Grady Whittenburg as they call all the action of the race to the 67th American Hockey League championship.

American Hockey League Stories from May 14, 2003

• Griffins Rally for 3-1 Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Atlantic City Wins 2003 Kelly Cup - Charlotte Checkers
• Rampage Road Show Hits the Streets of San Antonio - San Antonio Rampage
• AHL Quick Hits - AHL

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