Barons’ Gerber Stones Bulldogs Cold

By Brent Weber
The Oklahoma City Barons rode a clutch netminding effort from veteran Martin Gerber, who turned aside 26 Hamilton shots in a 2-0 win at Cox Convention Center. The Barons trail the best of seven Calder Cup opening round series two games to one with game four set for Wednesday night in OKC.
Gerber was named the first star, as he outlasted opposing net-minder Drew Macintyre for the Canadiens top affiliate; Macintyre turned aside 44 of 46 shots and was named the game’s third star. The Barons got third period goals from Colin McDonald and Alexander Giroux.

Official Barons Release Below
OKC Barons Postgame Report

April 19, 2011

The Oklahoma City Barons hosted its first American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoff game Tuesday evening at the Cox Convention Center. Trailing in the series 2-0 to the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Barons (1-2-0-0) got two third period goals from Colin McDonald and Alexandre Giroux to down the Bulldogs (2-1-0-0) Tuesday evening by a final of 2-0 and pull to within one win of tying the series at two wins each. Martin Gerber was solid in net for the Barons, stopping all 26 Hamilton shots he faced.

Colten Teubert made his presence known early in the game with three big hits, one on open ice and another two against the boards. While the Barons controlled the puck for the majority of the period, Oklahoma City was unable to capitalize on out-shooting the Bulldogs 15-6.

The Barons best chance came late in the period as AHL regular season goal leader McDonald tried to stuff Bryan Helmer’s shot off the boards behind Hamilton’s Drew MacIntyre but was unable to do so. After allowing the Bulldogs to score on four of their 12 power play chances in the series’ first two games, Oklahoma City managed to keep Hamilton 0-for-3 during the opening period.

The Barons continued to put pressure on the Hamilton defense in the second period. Their play resulted in several scoring opportunities during the frame. After an Giroux power play shot was denied by MacIntyre, McDonald was tied up in his rebound attempt. Chris VandeVelde added a wraparound attempt after the penalty expired but MacIntyre was able to keep the puck out.

Goaltender Gerber even got into the action, putting an open-ice hit on Hamilton’s Gabriel Dumont. After Helmer took a penalty at the 14:00 mark of the period, the Barons defense stood tall to keep the Bulldogs off the board. A diving clear attempt by Hunter Tremblay saved a prime shooting chance and a slashing call to Hamilton at 15:05 ended the abbreviated power play.

The Bulldogs got the majority of their 10 second period shots late in the period but Gerber stood call to keep Hamilton off the scoreboard. The Barons led in shots on goal 26-16 through two periods of play.

McDonald broke through to get the game’s first goal following brief power play and four-on-four chances for each team in the third period. After Brad Moran got a wrist shot off from the high slot, McDonald jumped on the rebound to put it home and give Oklahoma City a 1-0 advantage at 8:38.

Giroux added to the tally late in the period. After falling down on a breakaway chance, he got back up and skidded the puck past MacIntyre to put the Barons up 2-0 at the 15:59 mark.

Game four of the North Division Semi-Final Series E is set for Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. CT at the Cox Convention Center.

Link to boxscore: http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1008563