Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond collected his second consecutive shutout and his first career pro playoff shutout making 29 saves in a 7-0 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Admirals in Game 1 of the opening round American Hockey League playoffs.
Hammond and the Wild play Game 5 tonight in Milwaukee with the best of five series tied 2-2.
Hammond is in his first season with the American Hockey League Iowa Wild. In 33 games this season Hammond went 19-14-0 with three shutouts and a 2.81 GAA
Hammond & the Wild clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history are facing the Milwaukee Admirals in the opening round of the American Hockey League best of five playoffs.
The Minnesota Wild signed Hammond July 1st 2018, reassigned Hammond to the Wild October 1st 2018. Hammond played the past five seasons with the Ottawa Senators/American Hockey League Binghamton Senators before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche November 5th 2017. Hammond spent last season in the American Hockey League with the Belleville Senators, San Antonio Rampage & NHL Colorado Avalanche.
After four seasons with Bowling Green University, Hammond signed his first pro contract with the Ottawa Senators on March 20th 2013. Hammond attended the Chicago Blackhawks 2012 development camp and Ottawa Senators 2013 development camp.
Hammond made his NHL debut February 27th 2014 vs the Detroit Red Wings. Hammond was called up that night from the American Hockey League as the backup for Senators starting goaltender Robin Lehner. Hammond would replace Lehner late in the 2nd period who was pulled after giving up six goals on fifteen Detroit shots. Hammond would finish the game playing just over thirty four minutes stopping all eleven Red Wing shots in a 6-1 loss to Detroit. Hammond made his first career NHL start February 18th 2015 vs the Montreal Canadians, recorded 42 saves in a 4-2 win over the Habs for his first career NHL victory. Hammond is the only goaltender in NHL history to earn 21 wins in his first 27 games.
Hammond played parts of two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles during the 2007-08 season. In 52 regular season games with the Vipers Hammond posted a (33-15-1) record recording 6 shutouts.
Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:
This was posted on the Wild website:
IOWA WILD CAPTURES TEAM’S FIRST CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS WIN
Apr 21, 2019
-14 players earn points in 7-0 drubbing of Milwaukee Sunday evening-
DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa Wild (1-0-0-0) captured the franchise’s first-ever Calder Cup Playoff win, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals (0-1-0-0) in convincing fashion by a score of 7-0, taking a 1-0 series lead in the process. Goaltender Andrew Hammond (29 saves) logged his second consecutive shutout and his first career pro playoff shutout in the victory.
Iowa took a 1-0 lead off the back of forward Cal O’Reilly, as he potted his first Calder Cup Playoff goal since 2017 at 12:19 in the first period. Standing at the far post, O’Reilly tapped in a feed from Gerry Mayhew, beating goaltender Troy Grosenick (22 saves). O’Reilly’s tally was the first Calder Cup Playoff goal in Iowa Wild history and Mayhew and defenseman Brennan Menell’s assists were their first career playoff points.
At the end of the first period, Iowa led 1-0 and outshot the Admirals 16-11.
Mayhew doubled Iowa’s lead with his first career playoff goal at 4:32 in the second period. The Wild rush entered the offensive zone and precision passing from O’Reilly and forward Will Bitten gave Mayhew an easy tap-in on the back post, pushing Iowa’s lead to 2-0. Bitten’s primary assist was his first career playoff point.
Iowa pushed its lead to 3-0 when forward Sam Anas scored at 8:30 in the middle frame. Forward Mike Liambas forced a turnover at the Milwaukee blueline, giving Anas a partial breakaway. Anas deked to open up Grosenick’s five-hole and buried his shot for his first Calder Cup Playoff goal and point. Liambas and forward Luke Kunin earned the helpers on the play.
Forward Kyle Rau continued Iowa’s scoring run, extended the team’s lead to 4-0 at 11:24 in the second period. Forward Matt Read caught a pass from defenseman Nate Prosser and cut through the slot toward the right corner. At the bottom of the right circle, he then reversed the puck to Rau in the slot, who rifled a shot into the open net.
Following Rau’s goal, Milwaukee pulled Grosenick in favor of goaltender Tom McCollum (13 saves).
Heading into the third period, Iowa led 4-0 and had a 28-19 shot advantage.
Rau netted his second of the game at 10:19 in the third period, moving Iowa’s lead to 5-0. Battling for position in front of McCollum, Rau picked up a rebound off a shot from defenseman Matt Bartkowski and jammed it home for the score. Read picked up his second assist of the game on the play.
Kunin then stretched Iowa’s lead to 6-0 with his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal just more than a minute later. Kunin received a drop pass from forward Ryan Donato and lasered a puck top shelf for the tally. Forward Jordan Greenway also recorded an assist on the play for his first Calder Cup Playoff point.
Iowa made it a 7-0 game as forward Colton Beck, the Wild’s franchise leader in games played, notched his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal while on the power play. After Anas weaved through the Milwaukee defense, he found Beck at the top of the left circle. Beck walked in and lasered a shot high stick side, going bar down for the goal. Liambas earned his second assist of the night on the play for his first career playoff multi-point game.
In total, 14 different Wild players recorded points in the contests, seven of which were the first Calder Cup Playoff points of their respective careers. Sunday’s win also featured seven multi-point efforts and marked the fourth time this season Iowa has scored seven or more goals in a contest. The seven-goal margin of victory matched the season high for the Wild as well.
Iowa finished the game outshooting Milwaukee 42-29 in the 7-0 rout. The Wild went 1-for-9 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Wild and Admirals will take to the ice Tuesday night for Game 2 in the Central Division Semifinals. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.
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