Stars power way back into series

CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Texas Stars climbed back into the series with a 5-4 overtime win at home against the Hamilton bulldogs.   Ethan Graham’s first career Calder Cup goal just 2:13 into the extra period helped the Stars rebound from a two games to none deficit.
 
“(Andrew) Hutchinson put a shot on net and it just popped out, then it went in off one of their guys,” Graham said. “It’s probably my biggest (goal). We were down two (games) to none, but we weren’t down mentally. Every time they threw something new at us, we were able to answer.”
 
Texas got behind early when Ryan White beat goaltender Matt Clime, who stopped 31 of 35 shots in the game. Andrew Conboy and Frederic St. Denis assisted.
 
The Stars answered with three straight power play goals to take a 3-1 lead late into the second period. Perrtu Lindgren tied the game at one with the help of Garrett Stafford and Jamie Benn.
 
Benn gave Texas a 2-1 lead in the second period with his eleventh goal of the playoffs, tying him for first place with Hershey’s Alexandre Giroux. Lindgren and Hutchinson, who had three assists on the night, assisted.
 
“I thought we played a pretty good game tonight,” Benn said. “They kept tying it up, but we kept battling back. The gritty goals are the ones we need and they’re the ones that really helped us out.”
 
Aaron Gagnon extended the lead to 3-1 late in the period, but Hamilton’s Mike Glumac answered with his tenth goal of the playoffs and the period ended with the Stars leading 3-2. Francis Wathier and Greg Rallo assisted on Gagnon’s goal. Ryan Russell helped on Glumas’ goal.
 
The Stars have had difficulty stopping their opposition’s power plays during the playoffs and this game was no different. Hamilton tied the game with a Brock Trotter power play goal in the third. Texas took the lead back when Warren Peters scored.
 
“We scored more goals than we have in the other games, but they kept responding and you have to give them credit,” Peters said. “It’s great (playing at home). We’re right up there in (playoff) attendance and the Cedar Park area has really supported us. They cheer all the time and it really helps, especially when we’re gassed.”  
 
With just 90 seconds left in the game, Russell tied the game at four on Hamilton’s second power play goal, sending the Stars to what’s becoming an all too common extra period. But Graham’s game-winner sent the 4,535 fans home happy.
 
“This was a big game for us,” Stars’ Head Coach Glen Gulutzan said. “I thought we played just well enough to win against a really good team. We needed this win and it puts us back in the series. Now it’s just one game at a time.”
 
The Stars will try to even the series Friday night, then take the lead Saturday night if they can hold serve. Games six and seven, if necessary would be back in Hamilton on the 24^th and 26^th of May.
 
Contact mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com