This weekend did not get started the way the Monsters would have liked. 

A set of three games in three nights got off to a tough start for Lake Erie on Friday, as they fell to the Bulldogs, 3-0, in Hamilton.  It was the third time this year the Monsters have been shut out.  Lake Erie is now 1-2 on the season against the Bulldogs, and will have an immediate chance to even it back up when they host Hamilton at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday.  It is the first home-and-home of the year for the Monsters.

The home Bulldogs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.  T.J. Kemp scored seven minutes into the game, assisted by Brook Trotter and Ben Maxwell.  That would be the only score for close to two full periods of play. 

Neither team could find the back of the net through the rest of the first period.  The second period also came and went with no scores.  The third period began with Hamilton still up, 1-0.

The Bulldogs finished off the visiting Monsters in the third session.  Mathieu Carle scored on a power play five minutes into the third, assisted by Oliver Latendresse and David Desharnais. 

Hamilton added another insurance goal before the end of the game.  Mike Glumac gave the Bulldogs the 3-0 final with his goal at the 16:55 mark of the third period, helped by Latendresse and Desharnais.

Lake Erie's power play struggles continued on Friday, as the Monsters were 0/6 on the man advantage in the game.

Monsters netminder Tyler Weiman had 21 saves on 24 shots on the night.  Hamilton goalie Loic Lacasse recorded the shutout by blocking all 22 shots he faced.

The two teams will travel to Lake Erie on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. rematch.