CALDER CUP FINALS GAME 2 POSTGAME REPORT
MAY 28, 2011: BNG 2, HOU 1 (OT)

HOUSTON --- Jim O’Brien scored the deciding goal with 12:06 left in the first overtime as the Binghamton Senators edged the Houston Aeros 2-1 in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals in front of 9,002 fans at Toyota Center on Saturday night.

The victory evened the series at one game apiece. The series moves to Binghamton for Games 3, 4 and 5 starting on Wednesday, June 1. Games 4 and 5 are set for Friday and Saturday, and the series will return to Houston if necessary on June 7.

The winning goal was O’Brien’s third of the playoffs and second game-winner.

The Senators jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Bobby Butler’s second goal of the series and 12th of the playoffs 1:45 into the game. Kaspars Daugavins and Corey Locke earned the helpers on the first power play goal scored by either team in the Calder Cup Finals.

Casey Wellman evened the score at 1-1 with his sixth playoff goal less than three minutes later. Wellman redirected a Robbie Earl shot past Senators goaltender Robin Lehner at 4:27 of the first period for his first Calder Cup Finals goal. Nate Prosser also assisted.

Aeros goaltender Matt Hackett turned aside 19 shots in the loss. Lehner made 28 saves.

BOMB DROPPINGS
The crowd of 9,002 was the largest ever for an Aeros AHL playoff game… Each of the last two crowds  edged the previous attendance high of 7,850, set in Game 4 of the 2003 Calder Cup Finals when Houston defeated Hamilton 3-2 in overtime… This was the 50th Aeros AHL home playoff game and the 97th overall… Houston allowed the first goal for the 12th time this playoff campaign. They are 7-5 when doing so… On home ice, Houston has 4-1 record when allowing the first goal… The Aeros outshot Binghamton 10-3 in the third period.

AEROS STARTERS
F – Almond, Earl, Palmer
D – Noreau, Bagnall
G - Hackett

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

NEXT GAME
Calder Cup Finals – Game 3
Wed., June 1, 6:05 p.m. (CST)
at Binghamton

DECIDING GOAL
O’Brien (7:54, OT)

POWER PLAYS
HOU: 1/5
BNG: 1/6

GOALIES
HOU: Hackett (19/21, L)
BNG Lehner (28/29, W)

SERIES
Tied 1-1