After a scoreless first period in Hamilton on Wednesday night, the Lake Erie Monsters found themselves in a two-goal deficit after the second, one they were not able to come back from. Lake Erie's Ben Walter scored with less than two minutes to remain in the game, but the Monsters comeback attempt still came up short, as they fell to the Bulldogs, 3-2.

The Monsters and Bulldogs have split their season series so far, 2-2, with each team winning twice on their home ice. Lake Erie is now 16-19-3-4 overall, including 6-14-1-2 on the road.

Lake Erie edged Hamilton in shots in the opening period, but neither team was able to light the lamp in the first.

The Bulldogs would strike first in the game, taking a 1-0 lead at 5:27 of the second period, when Olivier Fortier scored on the power play. Kyle Klubertanz and Ben Maxwell assisted.

The Monsters answered two minutes later when Cameron Gaunce scored his first goal as a professional. The goal at 7:25 was assisted by Justin Mercier and Julian Talbot, evening the score at 1-1.

Less than three minutes later, Andreas Engqvist regained the lead for Hamilton when he scored unassisted at 10:17 of the second.

Ryan Russell rounded out the Bulldogs second-period scoring with his goal at 16:47. Engqvist and Alexander Avtsin were credited with the helpers.

After outshooting the Monsters 16-12 in the frame, Hamilton ended the second with a 3-1 lead.

The Monsters would outshoot the Bulldogs by an 11-3 count in the third period, but were not able to find the back of the net until there was less than two minutes left on the clock.

Ben Walter scored at 18:20 off a pass from Ryan Stoa, bringing the Monsters to within one.

However, Lake Erie would not be able to complete the comeback, finishing with the 3-2 final score.

Jason Bacashihua had 21 saves on 24 shots in net for the Monsters. Curtis Sanford recorded 29 saves on 31 shots for Hamilton.

The Monsters will continue their current season-long seven-game road swing this weekend when they play three games in three nights, beginning in Rochester on Friday..