Hamilton takes 14 seconds to edge Stars in Game 1, Benn scores twice

Even though Jamie Benn scored both goals for the Texas Stars hoping to win the series opener for the 3rd time in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Hamilton goals scored by David Desharnias and Brock Trotter scored during the game. It was Trotter's 2nd of the game in OT that took just 14 seconds to win the Western Conference Final Opener in Hamilton, Ontario to win Game 1.

Jamie Benn's 2 goals takes him to 10 which is in a 3 way tie for first in goals with Hershey Teammates Alexander Giroux and Andrew Gordon. It wasn't enough to to take down the Bulldogs like the Stars did with Chicago back in the West Division Finals.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals takes place this afternoon as the Stars look to tie the series while Hamilton will look to take a 2-0 series lead.

From the Texas Stars Website: www.texasstarshockey.com

From Hamilton, Ontario: The Texas Stars were defeated by the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 in OT on Friday Night in front of 2,977 fans at Copps Coliseum in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Hamilton leads the best-of-7 1-0. Brock Trotter scored a power-play goal 14 seconds into overtime, lifting the Bulldogs over the Stars in the series opener. Trotter finished with two goals in the game. Stars rookie Jamie Benn scored two goals, as Texas dropped its first Game 1 of the playoffs. Hamilton Center David Desharnias and added two assists in the first win of the series for Hamilton. Hamilton goalie Curtis Sanford stopped 18 Texas Shots in the defeat. Texas Goalie Matt Climie made 35 saves in the OT Loss. Game 2 is at 1:00 PM CDT in Hamilton back at the Copps Coliseum.

Hamilton scored the first goal of the night just 5:22 into the opening period. The Bulldogs capitalized on an early power play, as Center David Desharnais scored on a rebound in the Texas Crease and snapped the shot past Texas Goalie Matt Climie for his seventh goal of the playoffs. Texas countered with a power-play goal of its own at 11:01. Captain Landon Wilson sent a cross-ice pass to Benn in the Hamilton Zone to make it 1-1. Hamilton regained the lead prior to the end of the period at 15:23. Hamilton forward Aaron Palushaj set up Desharnais in the high slot for a shot that was tipped on its way to the Texas net. Winger Brock Trotter was given credit for his sixth goal of the playoffs, pushing the Bulldogs back on top at 2-1.

Late in the 2nd period, Texas scored its second power-play goal of the night. Defensemen Maxime Fortunus worked the puck from the right point to the left point for Dan Jancevski. The Stars defender sent a cross-ice pass the right wing circle for Benn. The Texas Rookie blasted a one-timer past Sanford for his second goal of the night and a 2-2 score at 18:15.

After a scoreless third period, the two teams headed to OT. Just 14 seconds into the extra frame, the Bulldogs capitalized with the 2nd power-play goal of the night. Desharnais played the puck to the crease and Trotter slid the rebound into the Texas net for his seventh goal of the playoffs to make it a 3-2 win. Trotter's second goal of the net was also assisted by Ryan Russell.


Western Conference Final Update

Game 1, Texas Stars 2 Hamilton Bulldogs 3 (OT)

Game 2, Texas Stars VS. Hamilton Bulldogs 1:00 PM

Game 3, Hamilton Bulldogs VS. Texas Stars 7:30 PM

Game 4, Hamilton Bulldogs VS. Texas Stars 7:30 PM

Game 5, Hamilton Bulldogs VS. Texas Stars 7:00 PM*

Game 6, Texas Stars VS. Hamilton Bulldogs 6:30 PM*

Game 7, Texas Stars VS. Hamilton Bulldogs 6:30 PM*

*If Necessary


Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will be at 1:00 PM CDT in Hamilton. The Series will then shift to Cedar Park for Games 3 through 5. Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Friday will both get underway at 7:30 PM. Then Game 5 on Saturday Night will get going at 7:00 PM. Then if necessary, Games 6 and 7 would be played back in Hamilton, starting with Game 6 on Monday May 24 at 6:30 PM CDT. Game 7 would also be slated for 6:30 PM CDT on Wednesday May 26.


Hamilton Bulldogs Lead Series 1-0


Game Boxscore

Texas Stars 2 Hamilton Bulldogs 3 (OT) (1-2, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0)

0-1 HAM: David Desharnais (PP) (Glumac, Benoit) 5:22 1st

1-1 TEX: Jamie Benn (PP) (Wilson, Lindgren) 11:01 1st

1-2 HAM: Brock Trotter (Desharnais, Palushaj) 15:23 1st

2-2 TEX: Jamie Benn (PP) (Jancevski, Fortunus) 18:15 2nd

2-3 HAM: Brock Trotter (PP) (Desharnais) 0:14 OT


Game Stats

SOG: TEX 20 HAM 38

PP: TEX 2/4 HAM 2/6

PIM: TEX 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties HAM 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: TEX Matt Climie 35 SVS on 38 Shots HAM Curtis Sanford 18 SVS on 20 Shots

ATT: 2977

3rd Star: Brock Trotter (HAM)

2nd Star: Jamie Benn (TEX)

1st Star: David Desharnais (HAM)