Every game day from now until the end of the Calder Cup Playoffs, the AHL Morning Skate takes a spin around the AHL ice with recaps and previews, news and notes, facts and figures, and the top headlines from around the American Hockey League.
TUESDAY’S SCORES:
Game 7 – Abbotsford 2, ROCHESTER 0 (ABB wins series, 4-3)
Game 3 – Hershey 6, ALBANY 5 (OT) (HER leads series, 3-0)
TUESDAY’S THREE STARS:
1. Jay Beagle capped a three-point night (1-2-3) with the game-winning goal in overtime to lift Hershey past Albany, 6-5, and to a 3-0 series lead in the East Division Finals.
2. Abbotsford goaltender David Shantz made 24 saves for his first shutout of the playoffs as Abbotsford completed a rally from a 3-1 series deficit with a 2-0 win at Rochester in Game 7.
3. Albany rookie forward Zac Dalpe scored twice and added in assist in the River Rats’ Game 3 loss.
TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE (all times ET):
Game 2 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05 (WOR leads series, 1-0)
2010 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS:
Atlantic Division Finals – Series “I” (best-of-7)
A1-Worcester Sharks vs. A3-Manchester Monarchs
Game 1 – Sun., Apr. 25 – WORCESTER 4, Manchester 3
Game 2 – Wed., Apr. 28 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05
Game 3 – Fri., Apr. 30 – Worcester at Manchester, 7:30
Game 4 – Sat., May 1 – Worcester at Manchester, 7:00
*Game 5 – Wed., May 5 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05
*Game 6 – Fri., May 7 – Worcester at Manchester, 7:30
*Game 7 – Sat., May 8 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05
East Division Finals – Series “J” (best-of-7)
E1-Hershey Bears vs. E2-Albany River Rats
Game 1 – Sat., Apr. 24 – HERSHEY 4, Albany 3 (OT)
Game 2 – Sun., Apr. 25 – HERSHEY 6, Albany 3
Game 3 – Tue., Apr. 27 – Hershey 6, ALBANY 5 (OT)
Game 4 – Thu., Apr. 29 – Hershey at Albany, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., May 1 – Albany at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 6 – Mon., May 3 – Hershey at Albany, 7:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 5 – Albany at Hershey, 7:00
North Division Finals – Series “K” (best-of-7)
N1-Hamilton Bulldogs vs. vs. N3-Abbotsford Heat
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 29 – Abbotsford at Hamilton, 7:30
Game 2 – Sun., May 2 – Abbotsford at Hamilton, 2:00
Game 3 – Tue., May 4 – Hamilton at Abbotsford, 10:00
Game 4 – Thu., May 6 – Hamilton at Abbotsford, 10:00
*Game 5 – Sat., May 8 – Hamilton at Abbotsford, 10:00
*Game 6 – Mon., May 10 – Abbotsford at Hamilton, 7:30
*Game 7 – Tue., May 11 – Abbotsford at Hamilton, 7:30
West Division Finals – Series “L” (best-of-7)
W1-Chicago Wolves vs. W2-Texas Stars
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 30 – Texas at Chicago, 8:30
Game 2 – Sun., May 2 – Texas at Chicago, 4:00
Game 3 – Tue., May 4 – Chicago at Texas, 8:30
Game 4 – Wed., May 5 – Chicago at Texas, 8:30
*Game 5 – Fri., May 7 – Chicago at Texas, 8:30
*Game 6 – Sun., May 9 – Texas at Chicago, 4:00
*Game 7 – Tue., May 11 – Texas at Chicago, 8:00
Atlantic Division Semifinal – Series “A” (best-of-7)
A1-Worcester Sharks vs. A4-Lowell Devils
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 14 – Lowell 3, WORCESTER 2
Game 2 – Thu., Apr. 15 – WORCESTER 3, Lowell 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Sat., Apr. 17 – Worcester 3, LOWELL 2
Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 20 – Worcester 4, LOWELL 2
Game 5 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Worcester 5, LOWELL 1
Atlantic Division Semifinal – Series “B” (best-of-7)
A2-Portland Pirates vs. A3-Manchester Monarchs
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 16 – Manchester 2, PORTLAND 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 17 – Manchester 3, PORTLAND 1
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 19 – MANCHESTER 2, Portland 1 (OT)
Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 20 – MANCHESTER 7, Portland 2
East Division Semifinal – Series “C” (best-of-7)
E1-Hershey Bears vs. A5-Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 14 – HERSHEY 4, Bridgeport 3 (OT)
Game 2 – Fri., Apr. 16 – HERSHEY 3, Bridgeport 2
Game 3 – Sat., Apr. 17 – Hershey 7, BRIDGEPORT 2
Game 4 – Sun., Apr. 18 – BRIDGEPORT 4, Hershey 1
Game 5 – Wed., Apr. 21 – HERSHEY 4, Bridgeport 1
East Division Semifinal – Series “D” (best-of-7)
E2-Albany River Rats vs. E3-W-B/Scranton Penguins
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 14 – ALBANY 4, W-B/Scranton 3
Game 2 – Fri., Apr. 16 – ALBANY 3, W-B/Scranton 2
Game 3 – Sun., Apr. 18 – Albany 2, W-B/SCRANTON 1
Game 4 – Mon., Apr. 19 – Albany 5, W-B/SCRANTON 3
North Division Semifinal – Series “E” (best-of-7)
N1-Hamilton Bulldogs vs. N4-Manitoba Moose
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 15 – HAMILTON 2, Manitoba 0
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 17 – HAMILTON 8, Manitoba 2
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 19 – MANITOBA 7, Hamilton 2
Game 4 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Hamilton 5, MANITOBA 4 (2OT)
Game 5 – Fri., Apr. 23 – MANITOBA 5, Hamilton 2
Game 6 – Sun., Apr. 25 – HAMILTON 3, Manitoba 2 (OT)
North Division Semifinal – Series “F” (best-of-7)
N2-Rochester Americans vs. N3-Abbotsford Heat
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 15 – Abbotsford 3, ROCHESTER 2
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 17 – ROCHESTER 4, Abbotsford 1
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 19 – Rochester 8, ABBOTSFORD 4
Game 4 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Rochester 6, ABBOTSFORD 1
Game 5 – Fri., Apr. 23 – ABBOTSFORD 3, Rochester 1
Game 6 – Sun., Apr. 25 – Abbotsford 5, ROCHESTER 1
Game 7 – Tue., Apr. 27 – Abbotsford 2, ROCHESTER 0
West Division Semifinal – Series “G” (best-of-7)
W1-Chicago Wolves vs. W4-Milwaukee Admirals
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 14 – CHICAGO 6, Milwaukee 5
Game 2 – Fri., Apr. 16 – CHICAGO 3, Milwaukee 0
Game 3 – Sat., Apr. 17 – MILWAUKEE 6, Chicago 0
Game 4 – Mon., Apr. 19 – Chicago 1, MILWAUKEE 0
Game 5 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Milwaukee 5, CHICAGO 4
Game 6 – Fri., Apr. 23 – MILWAUKEE 5, Chicago 4 (OT)
Game 7 – Mon., Apr. 26 – CHICAGO 2, Milwaukee 1
West Division Semifinal – Series “H” (best-of-7)
W2-Texas Stars vs. W3-Rockford IceHogs
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 16 – TEXAS 2, Rockford 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 17 – TEXAS 3, Rockford 1
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 21 – Texas 6, ROCKFORD 1
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 23 – Texas 4, ROCKFORD 2
*if necessary… All times Eastern
GAME NOTES (all times ET):
Game 2 – Manchester at Worcester, 7:05 (WOR leads series, 1-0)
Manchester and Worcester resume the Atlantic Division Finals with Game 2 tonight at the DCU Center… The Sharks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to claim a 4-3 win in Sunday’s series opener, marking the team’s first Game 1 victory in franchise history… Worcester has now won five straight overall after dropping its first postseason contest to Lowell on Apr. 14… Manchester, which swept through Portland in the division semifinals, suffered its first loss of the playoffs on Sunday… Dean Strong, Cory Quirk and Steven Zalewski notched third-period goals in Game 1 for the Sharks, the first tally of the postseason for each… Zalewski’s rebound goal with 8:50 left in regulation broke a 3-3 deadlock and stood up as the game-winner… Worcester rookie Benn Ferriero extended his goal-scoring streak to three games (4-0-4) with a second-period marker… Zalewski and Strong each finished with a goal and an assist, rookie Dennis McCauley contributed two helpers for his first two points of the playoffs, and AHL All-Rookie goaltender Alex Stalock stopped 22 of 25 shots in net… The Sharks, who trailed 2-1 entering the third period, improved to 2-1 this postseason when behind after 40 minutes… Oscar Moller and John Zeiler netted first-period goals for the Monarchs, with Moller’s marker coming just 35 seconds after the opening face-off… Rookie Dwight King added his first goal of the playoffs in the third stanza… King is on a three-game scoring streak (1-3-4), and rookie Andrei Loktionov shows four assists in his last two games after going scoreless in his first three playoff outings… AHL Goaltender of the Year Jonathan Bernier had surrendered only five goals during the entire first-round series against Portland before allowing four goals on 27 shots on Sunday… The Monarchs are last in the league on the power play in the postseason (2-for-20, 10.0 percent) including an 0-for-4 showing in Game 1, while the Sharks boast the league’s second-best penalty-killing unit (26-for-29, 89.7 percent)… Manchester has outscored opponents 6-1 during the first period in these playoffs.
MORNING HEADLINES:
HEAT COMPLETE EPIC COMEBACK, WIN GAME 7 – Abbotsford News
Left for dead less than a week ago, the Abbotsford Heat are living large in the Calder Cup playoffs. The Heat blanked the Rochester Americans 2-0 in Game 7 of their first-round series on Tuesday evening in upstate New York, capping a stunning rally from a 3-1 series deficit.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/92272994.html
AMERKS LOSE GAME 7 TO ABBOTSFORD – Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Six days ago, after giving up 18 goals to the Rochester Americans in three consecutive losses, the Abbotsford Heat season was about to end. They knew it and the Amerks knew it. Knowledge in the wrong hands can be a dangerous thing. Despite digging a 3-1 hole in the best-of-seven series, the Heat didn’t and the Amerks relaxed. And now, in less than a week, the Amerks’ roller-coaster season is over.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100428/SPORTS02/4280328/1007/SPORTS/Rochester-Amerks-lose-Game-7-to-Abbotsford-
AMERKS SCRAMBLE AFTER INJURY TO FITZPATRICK – Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Having seen his team outskated and overwhelmed in three consecutive losses, Rochester Americans coach Benoit Groulx decided drastic changes were needed for the Game 7 series finale against the Abbotsford Heat. He wanted the veteran poise of captain Rory Fitzpatrick on defense. The plan was working just fine, too — for all of 40 seconds.
http://rocnow.com/article/amerks-sabres/20104280335
GRITTY EFFORTS LIFTS BEARS OVER ALBANY IN OT – Harrisburg Patriot-News
In a phenomenal season, the Hershey Bears certainly have played prettier games, more dominant games and smarter games. But their 6-5 overtime victory over the Albany River Rats Tuesday night was arguably their greatest performance of 2009-10. Facing roster and scoreboard adversity, the Bears rallied from an initial two-goal deficit and then two one-goal deficits before Jay Beagle’s tally ended an epic evening at 16:08 of OT.
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/04/gritty_effort_lifts_hershey_be.html
RATS FACE ELIMINATION GAME – Albany Times Union
Mike Wallace isn’t part of the deal, but “60 minutes” may be all that is left of the Albany River Rats as a franchise. For the third time in four nights, the Rats blew a third-period lead and subsequently the game Tuesday night at Times Union Center. Jay Beagle scored on a rebound 16:08 into overtime to give the Hershey Bears a 6-5 victory and a 3-0 lead in their best-of-7 American Hockey League quarterfinal playoff series.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=925916&category=SPORTS
BEARS LEAVE RATS IN 0-3 HOLE – Troy Record
The Hershey Bears never led in regulation on Tuesday night, but once again rallied, this time ultimately pushing the Albany River Rats to the brink of elimination. Center Jay Beagle knocked in a loose puck 16:08 into overtime to lift Hershey past Albany, 6-5 in Game 3 of the East Division final at the Times Union Center.
http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/04/27/sports/doc4bd7b7e65f9ec831084914.txt
MANCHESTER KEEPS IT SIMPLE FOR GAME 2 – New Hampshire Union Leader
Back to basics. The Manchester Monarchs are looking to simplify their game and play solid fundamental hockey when they play at Worcester tonight for Game 2 of the AHL Atlantic Division finals. “It’s important that we bounce back mentally and get ready for the next game. There’s nothing you can do about the past. All you can do is learn from it and move forward,” said Monarchs head coach Mark Morris of Sunday’s 4-3 Game 1 loss.
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=991f1da4-e0f8-4297-8057-89d940c80f6b
BOYCHUK’S TASTE OF NHL BODES WELL FOR FUTURE – NHL.com
When your hockey team has only nine wins by Christmas, it’s typically a sign the status quo isn’t working. That was the case for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2009-10, and as a result, the team gradually started giving an extended look to a group of young players which will be counted on to contribute toward any future success the ‘Canes enjoy. Chief among those youngsters is Zach Boychuk.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=527253
HOT COMMODITY SHIROKOV STICKING WITH CHOSEN PATH – Winnipeg Sun
Sergei Shirokov has no plans to abandon his dream. There are sure to be lucrative offers for the skilled forward to return to Russia, but Shirokov is still planning on being in North America next fall. “Next year I’ll go back to training camp in Vancouver and then we’ll see what we’re doing,” said Shirokov, a 24-year-old from Moscow. “If they send me back down, I’ll go to Winnipeg to play and work hard. I want to play in the NHL.”
http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/27/13741781.html
JACKETS RATCHET UP COACHING SEARCH – Columbus Dispatch
The Blue Jackets’ search for a new coach is officially under way, The Dispatch has learned. General manager Scott Howson on Monday was granted access by the Vancouver Canucks to speak with Manitoba Moose head coach Scott Arniel. “If it’s a situation that’s right for my family, I’d definitely have to look into it,” Arniel told The Dispatch last night. “Obviously, coaching in the NHL has been a dream of mine.”
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/04/28/jackets-ratchet-up-coaching-search.html
FROM CALDER TO STANLEY:
In Tuesday’s Stanley Cup Playoff action, 2008 AHL All-Star Jimmy Howard stopped 32 of 33 shots and 2006 AHL All-Star Valtteri Filppula chipped in two assists as Detroit advanced to the conference semifinals with a 6-1 win at Phoenix in Game 7.
BY THE NUMBERS:
9 – Goaltenders in AHL history who have recorded a Game 7 shutout… Abbotsford’s David Shantz joined that group last night, taking his place alongside Michal Neuvirth (2009), Scott Munroe (2008), Johan Holmqvist (2003), Rick DiPietro (2002), Steve Passmore (1997), Ron Tugnutt (1996), Johnny Bower (1953) and Gord Henry (1947).
7 – Game 1 winners who went on to win their series during the division semifinal round… Worcester was the only team to drop their opener and still advance.
ON THIS DATE:
April 28, 2008 – In Game 7 of a North Division semifinal, Bates Battaglia breaks a tie with 58.1 seconds left in regulation to lift Toronto to a dramatic 2-1 victory over San Antonio… Trevor Frischmon scores at 8:35 of overtime as Syracuse eliminates Manitoba with a 3-2 win in Game 6 – Syracuse’s fourth OT victory of the series.
April 28, 2007 – Brian Boyle’s goal at 9:37 of the second overtime gives Manchester its first-ever series victory with a 3-2 decision in Game 6 at Worcester.
April 28, 2006 – Matt Ellis scores 11 seconds into the second overtime to give Grand Rapids a series-clinching 2-1 win in Game 5 at Toronto.
April 28, 1976 – Paul Woods’ goal at 2:20 of overtime gives Nova Scotia a 5-4 win over Hershey and its second Calder Cup championship in five years.
AHL LIVE:
Don’t miss a step on the road to the 2010 Calder Cup championship. AHL Live brings AHL action to your computer all season long with live video webcasts and highlights of every AHL game, as well as behind-the-scenes features and interviews in the Video On Demand section… Visit theahl.com or ahllive.com for details.
