(Bulldog defenseman Shawn Belle and Stars center Aaron Gagnon jockey for position in front of Hamilton netminder Curtis Sanford. Photo credit: Matt Kostek.)

The Texas Stars suffered from uncharacteristically poor defensive play and dropped their second game in the West Conference Final against the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens).  Texas now travels back to Cedar Park for their first home game in over two weeks.

The Bulldogs started the scoring on the power play in the first period and followed up almost immediately with a second.  Hamilton's second goal was a result of forwards not tracking back and defensemen letting players skate freely into the zone.  Matt Climie did his part to stop the initial shot, but Alex Henry followed up to score the eventual game winner.

Texas scored their only tally of the game from the stick of Warren Peters, who fired it in from behind the goal line.  The puck ricocheted off of either the Bulldogs's defender or goalie Curtis Sanford.  Hamilton would add another tally in third period as Maxime Fortunus faced a two-on-one that Mike Glumac capitalized on.  Texas was outshot in the game 30-23.

Full postgame recap on Hundred Degree Hockey, as always.  Texas's next game is on Wednesday night in Cedar Park at 7:30 PM.