TEXAS BEATS HAMILTON 4-2 IN GAME 7, ADVANCES TO CALDER CUP FINALS
Texas will play Hershey for the Calder Cup
Hamilton, ONT, Canada – The Texas Stars (12-6) defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs (11-8) 4-2 on Wednesday night in front of 5,121 fans at Copps Coliseum in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The Stars scored four unanswered goals after trailing Hamilton 2-0 early in the second period, including three goals in the third period alone. Forwards Mathieu Beaudoin and Perttu Lindgren each had a goal and an assist in the decisive Game 7. Texas goalie Matt Climie (5-3) made 41 saves, including 32 in the first two periods, giving the Stars their second Game 7 win this postseason. Rookie Jamie Benn and defenseman Ethan Graham also netted goals in the team’s sixth road win of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Hamilton goalie Curtis Sanford (5-4) stopped 16 Texas shots in the defeat. With the win, Texas will meet Hershey in the Calder Cup Finals.
The first period was nearly scoreless before a late goal by the Bulldogs at 19:51. Aaron Palushaj’s centering pass bounced to center David Desharnais, who carried the puck to the bottom of the left-wing circle and snapped a shot to the Stars net. Texas goalie Matt Climie lunged for the save, but the puck deflected off his stick and into the net for the 1-0 Hamilton lead after one period of play. Desharnais’ tenth goal of the playoffs marked the seventh straight playoff game Hamilton opened the scoring against Texas.