Texas Stars wn Game 4 in OT, tie series

BENN SHOOTS STARS PAST HAMILTON, 2-1 OT WIN TIES SERIES 2-2
Game 5 is Saturday at 7:00 pm at Cedar Park Center

Cedar Park, TX - The Texas Stars (10-5) defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs (10-6) 2-1 in overtime on Friday night in front of 6,215 fans at Cedar Park Center in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Stars rookie winger Jamie Benn scored his second goal of the night 5:52 into overtime, helping the Stars tie the best-of-seven series 2-2. Texas goalie Matt Climie (3-2) made 26 saves as the Stars improved to 6-1 at Cedar Park Center in the playoffs. Bulldogs' goalie Curtis Sanford (4-2) stopped 31 Texas shots in the defeat. The Stars host Game 5 on Saturday, May 22nd at 7:00 PM.

After a scoreless first period, Hamilton capitalized on a power play, scoring at 8:56 of the middle frame for a 1-0 lead. Bulldogs forward David Desharnais brought the puck from the goal-line into the Texas crease, poking a shot past Stars goalie Matt Climie for his team-leading 19th point of the postseason. Ryan Russell and Brock Trotter set up Desharnais' power-play tally.

Just 24 seconds into the third period, Stars winger Jamie Benn tied the game with a shot in front of the net. Benn scooped up a rebound from Colton Sceviour's shot and beat Hamilton goalie Curtis Sanford on the stickside. Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson also notched an assist on Benn's team-leading 12th goal of the playoffs.

The game went to overtime tied 1-1. At 5:52 of overtime, Benn scored his second goal of the night, lifting the Stars to a victory over the Bulldogs. Benn found a rebound in front of the net from Mathieu Beaudoin's shot, and fired the puck past Sanford for the game-winning tally, and 20th point of the postseason.

Western Conference Finals Schedule (best of seven)
Game 1 - Texas 2 at Hamilton 3 (OT)
Game 2 - Texas 1 at Hamilton 3
Game 3 - Hamilton 4 at Texas 5 (OT)
Game 4 - Hamilton 1 at Texas 2 (OT) (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5 - Sat., May 22 - Hamilton at Texas, 7:00 pm CT
Game 6 - Mon., May 24 - Texas at Hamilton, 6:30 pm CT
*Game 7 - Wed., May 26 - Texas at Hamilton, 6:30 pm CT
*if necessary

The series continues in Cedar Park, TX for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Game 5 will be on Saturday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm at Cedar Park Center. Games 6 and 7 will be in Hamilton, starting with Game 6 on Monday, May 24th at 7:30 PM (ET), and if necessary, Game 7 is slated for Wednesday, May 26th at 7:30 PM (ET)