Houston, TX – The Hamilton Bulldogs were defeated 3-2 by the Houston Aeros on Sunday night. Ryan Russell scored a goal and added an assist but it was not enough as Houston scored two power-play goals while Colton Gillies scored the game-winning goal in the third period.
Following a scoreless first period, the Aeros took a 1-0 lead at 3:16 of the second stanza with a power play goal. Jared Spurgeon received the puck from Warren Peters while positioned at the point before dishing a pass to Robbie Earl, who was at the right faceoff dot. Earl skated into the slot before snapping a shot that sailed through traffic and past the blocker of Hamilton starting goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
The Bulldogs tied the game 1-1 at 14:03 of the middle frame. Brendon Nash gave the puck to Ryan Russell, who fired a shot towards the net. Gabriel Dumont, while positioned in front of the net, redirected the shot between the legs of Houston starting goaltender Matt Hackett and across the goal line.
The Aeros took a 2-1 lead at 19:50 of the second period with a power-play goal. Spurgeon dished a pass across the blue line to the left point, where Marco Scandella was positioned. Scandella blasted a slap shot that traveled through traffic and over the glove of MacIntyre.
Houston earned a 3-1 lead at 5:10 of the final frame. Jed Ortmeyer skated down the right side of Hamilton’s zone before snapping a shot on net. MacIntyre made the save but the rebound bounced in front of the net. While skating towards the net, Colton Gillies whacked the loose puck past a sprawling MacIntyre and into the net.
The ‘Dogs made the game 3-2 at 12:06 of the third stanza. Aaron Palushaj carried the puck deep into the Aeros’ zone and behind the net. Palushaj backhanded a pass to Ryan Russell, who was skating towards the net. Russell, one-timed a shot between the legs of Hackett and into the net.
Highlights of tonight’s game can be found on www.sendtonews.com
The ‘Dogs will return to Hamilton to host the Aeros for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m. at Copps Coliseum. All Hamilton Bulldogs playoff broadcasts on AM 820 CHAM will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. All remaining Bulldogs playoff games can also be heard live on The Team 990 in Montreal.
Tickets for all Hamilton Bulldogs playoff third round home games will be available for $21.50. They can be purchased at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.com or through charge-by-phone at 1-855-872-5000.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
No Scoring
2nd Period:
1. HOU – Robbie Earl – 4 (Jared Spurgeon, Warren Peters) – 3:16 (PP)
2. HAM – Gabriel Dumont – 5 (Ryan Russell, Brendon Nash) – 14:03
3. HOU – Marco Scandella – 2 (Jared Spurgeon, Cody Almond) – 19:50
3rd Period:
4. HOU – Colton Gillies – 7 (Jed Ortmeyer) – 5:10
5. HAM – Ryan Russell – 5 (Aaron Palushaj, Matt Carle) – 12:06
Scoring:
Houston: 0-2-1—3
Hamilton: 0-1-1--2
Shots:
Houston: 5-9-13—27
Hamilton: 8-7-14—29
Goaltending:
Houston: Matt Hackett (29 shots, 27 saves)
Hamilton: Drew MacIntyre (27 shots, 24 saves)
Power Play:
Houston: 2-for-4
Hamilton: 0-for-2
Attendance: 5,220
Three Stars:
1. HOU – Colton Gillies (1 goal, +1, 1 shot)
2. HOU – Matt Hackett (29 shots, 27 saves)
3. HAM – Ryan Russell (1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 3 shots)
Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Game: Gabriel Dumont
