AEROS POSTGAME REPORT
MAY 20, 2011: HAM 4, HOU 2

HAMILTON, Ontario --- Ryan Russell’s shorthanded goal in the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Hamilton Bulldogs edged the Houston Aeros 4-2 in Game 5 of the American Hockey League’s Western Conference Finals on Friday at Copps Coliseum.

The Hamilton victory cut Houston’s series lead to 3-2 and forced the series to return to Houston. Game 6 is set for Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at Toyota Center.

JM Daoust and Jed Ortmeyer scored the goals for the Aeros, who are now 6-6 all-time in Game 5 Calder Cup Playoff contests.

The Bulldogs opened up a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Paul Zanette and Aaron Palushaj. Palushaj, who had the game-winning goal on Wednesday, bagged his sixth of the postseason.

Daoust's goal, his first of the playoffs, pulled the Aeros within a goal early in the second period.

Russell's shorthanded tally came with 8:22 gone by in the third period, but Ortmeyer again made it a one-goal game just 1:40 later. Ortmeyer's goal was his third of the postseason and second of the series.

Andrew Conboy sealed the win for Hamilton with an empty-net goal at 18:50 as the Aeros pressed for the equalizer.

Drew MacIntyre made 31 saves in goal for the Bulldogs. Matt Hackett suffered the loss with a 26-save outing.

BOMB DROPPINGS
Houston is 1-2 all-time in Game 5 Calder Cup Playoff road games… The Aeros are 11-9 all-time in Calder Cup Playoff games in which they can eliminate an opponent…This playoff season, the Aeros are 2-3 when they can oust an opponent… Matt Hackett dropped to 5-4 on the road with the loss... Jed Ortmeyer has two goals in the series. He had been held without a goal since Game 1 of the opening round versus Peoria.

AEROS STARTERS
F – DiSalvatore, O’Sullivan, Rau
D – Prosser, Falk
G - Hackett

AEROS SCRATCHES
Fraser, Penner, Lofquist, Foucault, Bulmer, Campbell, McMillan, Fredheim, Morency, Buck, Broda, Cuma

NEXT GAME
Western Conference Finals – Game 6
Sun., May 22, 4:05 p.m. (CST)
at Houston

DECIDING GOAL
Russell (8:22, 2nd)

POWER PLAYS
HOU: 0/6
HAM: 1/4

GOALIES
HOU: Hackett (26/29, L)
HAM: MacIntyre (31/33, W)

SERIES
HOU leads 3-2