Eastern Conference Semifinal
Best of 5
Indianapolis Engines (41-31-8) vs Chicago Hitmen (45-29-6)
Game 1: Chicago 5, Indianapolis 2
Game 2: Indianapolis 4, Chicago 1
Game 3: Indianapolis 2, Chicago 1
Game 4: Chicago 5, Indianapolis 3
Game 5: Chicago 4, Indianapolis 3
Chicago's Bobby Orr scored twice 23 seconds apart in the first and assisted Alexei Yashin's eventual game-winner in the second period of the decisive Game 5. Yashin's fourth goal of the series made it 3-2 and Pierre Larouche tallied in the third to put Chicago up 4-2. The Engines' Peter Forsberg scored 9:20 into the third to bring Indianapolis within one but they couldn't slip another past Andy Moog, who made 30 saves to send the Hitmen to their second straight Eastern Conference Final.
Western Conference Semifinal
Best of 5
Seattle Storm (36-36-8) vs Calgary Stampede (43-25-12)
Game 1: Calgary 3, Seattle 2
Game 2: Calgary 4, Seattle 3 (OT)
Game 3: Seattle 8, Calgary 5
Game 4: Seattle 4, Calgary 2
Game 5: Calgary 4, Seattle 2
The defending champions were tested as Seattle's offense unloaded in games 3 and 4, getting four goals over two games from John Ogrodnick. But the Stampede got two goals and an assist from Calle Johansson in the decisive Game 5 and got 8 assists in the series from Wayne Gretzky to earn a trip to the Western Conference Final and a chance to continue on to defend their title.
GH