Oklahoma City, OK – The Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Oklahoma City Barons 2-0 in Game 5 of the North Division Semi-Final to take a 3-2 series lead. Aaron Palushaj and Nigel Dawes had goal and an assist while Dustin Boyd recorded two assists. Drew MacIntyre made 20 saves to earn the shutout.
The Bulldogs opened the game’s scoring at 7:31 of the first frame with a power-play goal. Boyd fired a shot on net that was stopped by Oklahoma City starting goaltender Martin Gerber. Dawes whacked at the rebound but was also stopped by Gerber. Palushaj grabbed the next rebound before flipping the puck over the shoulder of Gerber and into the net.
The ‘Dogs increased their lead to 2-0 at 19:17 of the second stanza. Boyd sent the puck to Dawes, who was positioned in front of the net. Dawes scooped up the puck before firing a shot past a screened Gerber and into the back of the net.
The Bulldogs will return to Hamilton to try and finish off the Barons in Game 6 when they host Oklahoma City for a 4:00 p.m. game at Copps Coliseum on Sunday, April 24th. All Hamilton Bulldogs playoff broadcasts on AM 820 CHAM will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
Tickets for all Hamilton Bulldogs playoff home games are available now for only $19.50! 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:
1. HAM – Aaron Palushaj – 2 (Nigel Dawes, Dustin Boyd) – 7:31 (PP)
2nd Period:
2. HAM – Nigel Dawes – 3 (Dustin Boyd, Aaron Palushaj) – 19:17
3rd Period:
No Scoring
Scoring:
Oklahoma City: 0-0-0--0
Hamilton: 1-1-0--2
Shots:
Oklahoma City: 3-9-8—20
Hamilton: 8-9-8—25
Goaltending:
Oklahoma City: Martin Gerber (25 shots, 23 saves)
Hamilton: Drew MacIntyre (20 shots, 20 saves)
Power Play:
Oklahoma City: 0-for-7
Hamilton: 1-for-6
Attendance: 3,318
Three Stars:
1. HAM – Aaron Palushaj (1 goal, 1 assist, +1, 4 shots)
2. HAM – Nigel Dawes (1 goal, 1 assist, +1, 4 shots)
3. HAM – Drew MacIntyre (20 shots, 20 saves)
Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Game: Dustin Boyd
