Barons lose game 5 at home

OKLAHOMA CITY , Okla. – The series was tied at two apiece until Hamilton shut out the Barons in Game 5 on Friday night.   This was a reverse of Game 3, where Oklahoma City shut out Hamilton and scored two goals. The Barons managed 20 shots on goal in Game 5, quite a decrease from 46 shots in Game 3. “We’re not going to win too many games in putting up that few shots,” said captain Ben Ondrus.   He continued by saying, “give them [ Hamilton] credit too, they blocked a lot of shots.”
 
The shots on goal for the first period were rather startling.   “You can’t win a game if you only have three shots on goal in one period,” said defenseman Bryan Helmer.   In analyzing what went wrong, Helmer offered an explanation.   “I think we were trying to be too fancy and trying to go through their box.   We just need to find a way to crash the net and get those ugly goals that you get in the play-offs.”
 
While defenseman Alex Plante was sitting in the Barons penalty box, the visiting Bulldogs scored the first goal, a power play goal at 7:31 of the first period.   This score was followed by an even-strength goal in the second period.   The third period consisted of no scoring, with 8 shots on goal for each team.  
 
Penalty trouble has plagued the Barons most of the season, especially in this series, as Hamilton has scored five power play goals thus far.   “Undisciplined stuff cost us tonight, as it took guys out of the rotation.   That is certainly a costly thing and is a “head scratcher” especially when you mention it in your pre-game meeting,” said Coach Todd Nelson.     
 
Two consecutive post-season wins at home may have been a false security for the Barons.   “It seems that they took their foot off the gas a bit; thinking that a 5-2 win, coming in to Game 5 was going to be easy,” said Nelson.   “We didn’t have the jump that we normally do, which was the difference in the game tonight.   You would think that you would have more urgency in Game 5, a pivotal game.”  
 
Now the series moves back to Hamilton, Ontario for a Sunday afternoon Game 6.   If the Barons should win and again tie the series, then a Game 7 will occur in Hamilton on Monday evening.  
 
The veterans on the team are looking to winning on the road.   “We need to win two in a row there.   We just need to get back to what we did in the third and fourth game,” said centerman Brad Moran.  
 
“Game 6 is going to have to be our best game of the year.   I expect all 20 guys in the line-up to be working hard and out work their opponents,” said Nelson.  
 
The Barons have a road record of 22-13-0-5, which is third-best in the Western Division.   “We are going to have to go there, and try to get to game 7, that’s the mentality right now.   Win a road game and if we succeed, then we will face Game 7 the next day.   Anything can happen in Game 7,” said Nelson.