CEDAR PARK Texas – The Stars were defeated by Hamilton 4-2 in front of 5,824 fans at Cedar Park Center on Thursday night. Texas goalie Jack Campbell (2-2-0) stopped 35 of 38 shots, including a team season-high 19 shots in the first period. Center Travis Morin scored his 11th goal of the year, breaking the team’s record for most points in one season with 59. Rookie right wing Austin Smith registered his first professional point with an assist, while fellow rookie Taylor Vause notched his first professional assist on the night. Left wing Luke Gazdic scored for the Stars.
Hamilton center Joonas Nattinen scored the game-winning goal with 1:16 left in the third period.
Forwards Travis Novak, Gabriel Dumont, and defenseman Mark Mitera also scored for the Bulldogs. Hamilton goalie Robert Mayer (11-15-1) stopped 28 shots, taking the team’s road record to 15-17-1-1.
The Stars got on the board late in the first period. Morin beat Hamilton goalie Robert Mayer with 2:26 remaining. Defenseman Drew Schiestel and right wing Austin Smith helped on the play, giving Texas a 1-0 lead.
Texas struck again midway through the second period. Left wing Luke Gazdic fired a shot to the back of the net at 11:12. Gazdic’s tenth goal of the season was set up by center Taylor Vause, extending the Stars’ lead to 2-0. Hamilton dug into Texas’ lead, 2-1 with 6:01 left in the period. Forward Travis Novak scored with assists from forward Ryan Flanigan and right wing Alain Berger.
Hamilton tied the game, 2-2 with 6:09 remaining in the third period. Center Gabriel Dumont snuck the puck past Campbell on the power play. Center Robert Slaney added an assist on the game-tying play.
Center Joonas Nattinen scored the game-winning goal with 1:16 left in the final frame. Andreas Engqvist added an assist.
Hamilton extended its lead to 4-2 with an empty-net goal from defenseman Mark Mitera. Right wing Brian Willsie notched an assist on the final goal of the night.
On Saturday, Texas will host Lake Erie at 7:00 p.m. at Cedar Park Center.
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