CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars were unable to break through the Bulldogs’ defense and were defeated by Hamilton 3-0 Saturday night at Cedar Park Center in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Curtis Sanford was stellar in net for Hamilton and stopped 23 shots, carrying Hamilton on his back to a 3-2 series lead.
Hamilton center David Desharnais scored a goal and chipped in an assist as Hamilton claimed its fourth road win in the playoffs.
Texas goalie Matt Climie was solid again in net but the lack of offense cost him and his team; he made 30 saves in the loss.
The series now switches back to Hamilton for game six on Monday, May 24th at 6:30 PM (CT).
With 6:38 left in the first stanza, Hamilton opened the scoring with a power-play goal. Defenseman Shawn Belle fired a shot that bounced off of a Stars defender and Ryan Russell picked up the rebound sending a shot past Climie for the 1-0 lead. David Desharnais picked up an assist.
Just 3:37 into the second, the Bulldogs increased their lead to 2-0 when Mike Glumac put one past Climie. Grant Stevenson and Alex Henry added assists on Glumac’s team-leading 11th tally of the postseason.
At 15:33 of the middle frame, Hamilton extended its lead to 3-0 after Desharnais carried the puck from the right-wing circle to the slot and sent a wristshot past Climie on the gloveside.
Western Conference Finals Schedule (best of seven)
Game 1 – Texas 2 at Hamilton 3 (OT)
Game 2 – Texas 1 at Hamilton 3
Game 3 – Hamilton 4 at Texas 5 (OT)
Game 4 – Hamilton 1 at Texas 2 (OT)
Game 5 – Hamilton 3 at Texas 0 (HAM leads series 3-2)
Game 6 – Mon., May 24 – Texas at Hamilton, 6:30 pm CT
*Game 7 – Wed., May 26 – Texas at Hamilton, 6:30 pm CT
*if necessary
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
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