With the loss, the Monsters slip to seventh place in the North Division with a 14-15-3-4 (35 points) record.

Hamilton would score in each of the periods, beginning with J.T. Wyman's goal at 8:39 of the first. David Desharnais and Alex Henry assisted, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead they would take into the first intermission.

Lake Erie posted eight shots in the first 20 minutes, compared to seven for Hamilton.

Mark Olver evened the score for the Monsters, converting on Lake Erie's first power play chance for his team-leading 11th goal of the season. Matt Ford and Julien Brouillette assisted at 4:17 of the second period. Ford has recorded points in three straight games (1G, 2A), while Brouillette has picked up assists in two of the last three games.

Ben Maxwell regained the lead for the Bulldogs, scoring on the power play at the 15:19 mark. Desharnais and Kyle Klubertanz recorded the helpers, giving Hamilton the 2-1 lead.

Lake Erie would tie it up again before the end of the second on a Ben Walter power play marker at 18:42, his team-best 25th point of the year. Patrick Rissmiller and Kevin Montgomery assisted. Rissmiller has recorded five points in the past three games (1G, 4A) and Montgomery has assists in back-to-back games (3A).

The two teams put up 11 shots apiece in the middle frame.

Dustin Boyd quickly put the Bulldogs back on top just 1:17 into the third period. His go-ahead power play goal was assisted by Brendan Nash and Desharnais.

The Monsters outshot the Bulldogs by a 15-6 count in the third, but were unable to capitalize, resulting in the final 3-2 score.

Jason Bacashihua started in goal for the Monsters, recording 16 saves on 19 shots, before being replaced six minutes into the third period by John Grahame, who finished the game stopping all five shots he faced. Robert Mayer backstopped the Bulldogs in the win, posting 32 saves on 34 shots.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Cleveland.