AHL Quick Hits

Published on May 17, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release

Game 4 of the Western Conference final is this evening at Compaq Center (7:30 CT, 8:30 ET) after Houston took a 2-1 series lead with a 2-1 victory over Grand Rapids last night. All of the scoring took place in the first period, as First Team AHL All-Stars Jean-Guy Trudel and Curtis Murphy tallied for the Aeros, and 2002 Stanley Cup champion Jason Williams netted his first career playoff goal for the Griffins. Johan Holmqvist needed only 11 saves for Houston, which owned a 27-12 edge in shots, including 22-5 through the first 40 minutes. Marc Lamothe finished with 25 saves for Grand Rapids.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Game 4 – Grand Rapids at Houston, 7:30

SERIES SCHEDULES

Western Conference Final
1-Grand Rapids vs. 2-Houston
Game 1 – Houston 3, GRAND RAPIDS 2 (OT)
Game 2 – GRAND RAPIDS 3, Houston 1
Game 3 – HOUSTON 2, Grand Rapids 1
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, 2-1)

Eastern Conference Final
1-Hamilton vs. 3-Binghamton
Game 1 – HAMILTON 5, Binghamton 1
Game 2 – HAMILTON 2, Binghamton 1
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, 2-0)

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:

23.5 -- Average number of shots on goal taken by Grand Rapids in 10 regular-season meetings with Houston... In addition to being held to 12 shots last night, the Griffins managed just 14 shots on goal in Houston on Mar. 13, and 10 shots against the Aeros on Mar. 23.

FROM CALDER TO STANLEY:

Adam Oates, a Calder Cup champion in 1986, scored twice last night to give Anaheim a 2-1 win over Minnesota and a sweep of the NHL's Western Conference championship series... Mighty Ducks first-year general manager Bryan Murray and rookie head coach Mike Babcock are both AHL alumni as well.

ON THIS DATE:

1993 – In Game 7 of the division finals, Rochester defeats Binghamton, 3-2, to cap the largest upset ever in the Calder Cup Playoffs... The Amerks finished the regular season 37 points behind the record-setting 57-13-10 Rangers... 1986 – Eddie Johnstone scores at 15:50 of the third overtime period to give Adirondack a 4-3 win over Hershey in the second-longest Calder Cup Finals game in AHL history... 1980 – Hershey defeats New Brunswick, 7-4, to win the Calder Cup.

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.

ON THE AIR:

Sun., May 25 – Binghamton at Hamilton – Game 7 (if nec.) -- Rogers Sportsnet (national) -- 4:00 ET

American Hockey League Stories from May 17, 2003

• Griffins Face Tough Climb after 2-1 Loss - Grand Rapids Griffins
• AHL Quick Hits - AHL

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