Two Early Goals Hold up as Bulldogs Force Game Seven
Published on June 9, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
The Hamilton Bulldogs have forced a Game 7, winner take all match-up for the right to be crowned 2003 Calder Cup champions. The Dogs defeated the Houston Aeros 2-1 at Copps Coliseum last night to stay alive in the final series.
Game 7 will be played Thursday, June 12 at the Dog Pound.
"Their were two teams battling hard for a championship," said Bulldogs head coach Geoff Ward. "We accomplished what we wanted to tonight. We wanted to play our best game of the season."
The Bulldogs scored the first goal of the game at 2:21 of the opening period. Tomas Plekanec delivered a wrist shot from a bad angle which beat Aeros goalie Johan Holmqvist high, short side.
Less than four minutes later, regular season MVP Jason Ward increased the Dogs lead while killing a penalty. Ward stole the puck near the visitors bench and went in alone on the Houston net, putting in a backhander up high.
"Our penalty killing has been dominate all year," said Ward. "I got a lucky break, got a piece of the pass, lost my balance regained it and somehow put the puck in the net. We put our effort in tonight. We have to come out as strong or even stronger in Game 7."
Houston's Hnat Domenichelli scored a shorthanded goal late in the third frame to make the game close at 2-1.
Hamilton goalie Ty Conklin made 36 saves and was named first star. He improved his playoff record to 9-5.
The Dogs were coming off two straight loses in Houston where they were outscored 9-6. Jason Ward, Tony Salmelainen, Michael Ryder and Bill Lindsay scored for Hamilton in Game 5 in a 6-4 loss on Saturday at the Compaq Center in Houston.
Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final will take place on Thursday, June 12 at Copps Coliseum at 7 p.m. Bulldogs fans can buy tickets to Game 7 at the Copps box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster at (905) 527-7666.
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