In Game 1, the Hamilton Bulldogs erased a two-goal deficit and won Game #1 of the AHL Eastern Conference Semi-Finals by score of 3-2 on Thursday night. Defenseman Alex Henry had the game-winner at the 8:28 mark of overtime to win the game for Hamilton. Game #2 takes place tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center in Hartford.
Also scoring goals for Hamilton in Game #1 were Jani Rita and Fernando Pisani. The goal scored by Pisani was notched with under eleven seconds remaining in regulation time. The Bulldogs now have a record of three wins and zero losses in overtime during the playoffs. All-time Hamilton’s record in overtime consists of 8 wins and 4 losses.
Hartford goals on Thursday night came from Rico Fata and Jamie Lundmark. Marc Lamothe made 22 saves in the win for Hamilton, while Scott Meyer made 34 saves in net for Hartford.
The Bulldogs were 1 for 6 on the power play, while Hartford was 0 for 3 with the man advantage.
In Game 2, The Hamilton Bulldogs played their fourth overtime game in five playoff games, but came up on the short end this time as they lost to the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-2 in double overtime. Marty Wilford scored Hartford’s game-winner at the 15:19 mark of the second overtime period. Friday’s game was the longest in Hartford Civic Center history and the second longest in Hamilton Bulldogs franchise history.
Scoring Hamilton’s goals in Game #2 were Brian Swanson and Adam Dewan. Hartford’s goals came from Wilford, Dave MacIsaac, and Jason Dawe. Marc Lamothe made 50 saves on 53 shots. Wolf Pack goaltender Scott Meyer made a total of 46 saves on the evening. Hamilton was 1 for 6 on the power play, while Hartford was 0 for 6 on the power play.
Brian Swanson extended his playoff points streak to five games with his second period goal
The Bulldogs will return to Hamilton for Game #3 on Sunday, April 28th to host the Hartford Wolf Pack. Game time at Copps Coliseum is 4:00 p.m.
Then the unthinkable happened at Copps Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
As a result of the ‘CMRC Arena Cross Championship 2002′ held at Copps Coliseum on Saturday evening, and the resulting inability of the building to provide safe ice conditions, the Hamilton Bulldogs were forced to re-schedule Sunday’s game. The Bulldogs were assured by Copps Coliseum that the ice would be prepared on time.
“At 2:15 p.m. in consultation with both coaches, we had no choice, but to postpone the game,” stated Hamilton Bulldogs President Cary Kaplan. “Playing Sunday would have risked very serious injury to players from both teams. We are disappointed for our fans in that both teams were ready to play, but the ice was not.”
The Hamilton Bulldogs regret to announce that AHL Eastern Conference Semi Final Playoff Game #3 between the Bulldogs and the Hartford Wolf Pack, which was scheduled for today at 4:00 p.m. has been postponed to tomorrow – Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Copps Coliseum.
Fans unable to use their tickets for Monday night at 7:30 p.m. may use them for either Tuesday, April 30th – Game #4, Thursday, May 2nd – Game #5 or they may be able to receive a full cash refund at point of purchase.
