ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Ticker) -- J.F. Caudron scored two goals in 3:25 to help Atlantic City defeat Columbia, 3-1, clinching the first Kelly Cup Title for the Boardwalk Bullies by winning the best-of-seven championship series, four games to one.
Caudron scored the game-winning goal with 2:36 remaining in the second period and added his 13th goal of the playoffs at 39 seconds of the third period to give Atlantic City a commanding 3-0 lead.
Kevin Colley, who was named the Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player, opened the scoring with 8:44 left in the first period, tallying his 13th marker of the playoffs with Caudron and Luke Curtin assisting. Colley, who tied Caudron for the league lead in playoff goals, finished with 20 points during Boardwalk Bullies' run to the Kelly Cup Championship in just their second season in Atlantic City.
Scott Stirling, who surrendered just two goals during four victories in the finals, stopped all 20 shots in the first 40 minutes and finished with 29 saves to earn the series-clinching victory.
Robin Carruthers scored the lone goal for Columbia, which also advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals in just its second year in the East Coast Hockey League.
Patrick Couture stopped 34 of 37 shots, including 14 in the second stanza, to suffer the loss for the Inferno.
--- Box Score ---
DATE - 05/14/03 Columbia (1) at Atlantic City (3)
SCORE BY PERIODS
Columbia 0 0 1--1
Atlantic City 1 1 1--3
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Atlantic City-Colley 13 (power play) (Caudron; Curtin) 11:16. Penalties: Colley, ATC (Hooking), 3:40. Darby, CBA (Holding stick), 10:11. Vial, CBA (Cross checking), 11:06. Martynyuk, CBA (Too many men), 18:46.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Atlantic City-Caudron 12 (game winner) (Henkel; Mougenel) 17:14. Penalties: Rivard, ATC (Hooking), 0:23. Wansborough, CBA (Roughing), 3:14. Talbot, ATC (Tripping), 13:25. Ulwelling, CBA (Interference), 17:56.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlantic City-Caudron 13 (Henkel) 0:39. 4, Columbia-Carruthers 9 (Smith; St. Croix) 1:10. Penalties: Morrison, CBA (Cross checking), 13:32.
SHOTS ON GOAL
Columbia 11 9 10--30
Atlantic City 11 15 11--37
Power Play Conversions: Columbia - 0 of 3, Atlantic City - 1 of 6.
Goalies: Columbia-Couture (37 shots, 34 saves; record: 9-4-1). Atlantic City-Stirling (30 shots, 29 saves; record: 8-4-0).
A: 5169. Referee: St. Pierre. Linesmen: Ferguson; Nichols.
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