GRAND RAPIDS, Mich – The Grand Rapids Griffins held a 3-0 lead with only twelve minutes left in regulation and seemed to have the game won. However the Bulldogs caught up thanks to the assistance of their special teams – two goals on the powerplay, both by Ben Maxwell, and one short-handed goal, compliments of Kyle Chipchura, to force the overtime. The final tally was acquired due to a deflection, off a Griffins’ defenseman’s stick, from a shot fired by Ryan White, sealing up game four for the Bulldogs.
The Griffins took an early lead with Aaron Gagnon’s breakaway gave him his first AHL career playoff goal 34 seconds into the game. Jamie Tardiff scored his first career playoff goal midway through the second period, and Justin Abdelkader continued his third-period style with a goal soon after the period had begun.
Hamilton’s win makes one begin to believe in the validity of home-ice disadvantage, as all four games thus far were decided in favor of the visitors. The Griffins, meanwhile, hope to shatter that notion, as game five is scheduled for Friday in Grand Rapids. Game six is scheduled for Sunday in Hamilton, and game seven, if necessary will be Monday, also with the Bulldogs as host.
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