CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars returned home with a 2-0 lead and were greeted by a sellout crowd.  But the Hershey Bears spoiled the party with a 5=3 victory cutting their deficit in the series in half.

Stars defenseman Andrew Hutchinson opened the scoring for Texas with a power-play goal at 5:59 of the first period. Hutchinson received a cross-ice pass from Garrett Stafford and ripped a one-timer from the top of the left point. The shot went off a Bears defender past Hershey goalie Michal Neuvirth and into the net for the 1-0 Texas lead. Stars winger Jamie Benn notched an assist on Hutchinson’s fifth goal of the postseason.

Hershey got on the board at 10:33 when forward Kyle Wilson scored his fifth goal of the playoffs. Wilson received a pass from winger Francis Bouchard and sent a shot past the stick of Stars goalie Matt Climie, tying the game 1-1. 

Just 42 seconds later, Texas went ahead 2-1 after winger Francis Wathier scored a shorthanded goal off a Hershey turnover. Wathier picked up the puck and scored after Hershey’s Neuvirth misplayed it. Wathier’s second goal of the postseason gave Texas a 2-1 lead.

With 2:03 remaining in the opening frame, Texas increased its lead to 3-1. Winger Scott McCullough brought the puck up the left-wing side and sent a pass back to Raymond Sawada in the slot. Sawada beat Neuvirth on the gloveside, scoring his third goal of the postseason. Center Warren Peters also added an assist on the tally.

At 12:27 of the second period, Wilson scored his second goal of the night, bringing the Bears within one goal of Texas at 3-2.

Just 88 seconds later, Hershey tied the game 3-3 after center Mathieu Perrault tipped in a shot from defenseman Karl Azner. Perrault was posted in front of Climie in the crease and redirected Azner‘s shot from the left point, scoring his sixth goal of the postseason.

In the third period, Hershey went ahead 4-3 after winger Andrew Gordon poked the puck through the Texas crease and past Climie. Gordon’s 12^th goal of the playoffs came at 6:41 of the final frame and was assisted by Aucoin and Bourque. At 8:12, the Bears gained a 5-3 lead when Perrault scored his second goal of the evening. Perrault received a pass from winger Alexandre Giroux on the backdoor and snuck a shot past Climie on the gloveside.

The Bears extended their lead to 6-3 at 12:07. Gordon ripped a shot from the blueline and down the slot, beating Climie for his second goal of the night and team-leading 13^th goal of the postseason. Alzner tallied an assist on the goal.

The Stars host games four and five in Cedar Park and hope to get back on track and defend their home ice.  They still hold a 2-1 series lead but neither team has successfully defended home ice. Texas still has the enviable position of the next two games in Cedar park.

Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com