HAMILTON 3, ABBOTSFORD 1
Ryan White was one of three Hamilton skaters to tally a goal on Sunday afternoon as the Bulldogs earned a 3-1 win over Abbotsford at Copps Coliseum to even up the North Division Finals at a game apiece.
The teams will now head west to Abbotsford for the next three contests, with Game 1 slated for Tuesday night.
Hamilton outshot the Heat by a 13-7 count in the first period and took a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. White tallied an unassisted goal 2:30 into the contest, and Jason Jaffray responded for the Heat with a power play marker less than five minutes later.
But Jaffray was also assessed a roughing penalty after scoring his goal, and Bulldogs forward Mike Glumac made good on the ensuing power play, scoring his fifth goal of the playoffs at 8:55.
David Desharnais provided insurance for Hamilton at 8:23 of the second frame, converting another power play opportunity, and neither team scored the rest of the way.
Grant Stevenson and defenseman Mike Vernace each chipped in two assists in the victory, and goaltender Cedrick Desjardins stopped 22 of 23 shots to pick up the win in net.
Abbotsford saw its four-game winning streak come to an end, as the Heat lost for the first time since dropping a 6-1 decision to Rochester on Apr. 21 in Game 4 of the division semifinals.
North Division Finals – Series “K” (best-of-7)
N1-Hamilton Bulldogs vs. N3-Abbotsford Heat
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 29 – Abbotsford 3, HAMILTON 2
Game 2 – Sun., May 2 – HAMILTON 3, Abbotsford 1
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
