Everything is bigger in Texas, including Tuesday's Monsters win. 

Tuesday was the first of three games in four nights in the state of Texas for the Monsters, and they got off to a big start, shutting out the Texas Stars, 4-0.  It was the first win and first shutout as a pro for rookie goalie Trevor Cann.  It was also the first shutout Lake Erie has served up this season.  Darren Haydar and Chris Durno led the offense with a goal and assist apiece, while Phil Dupuis and Kevin Montgomery also added goals.

It was the second multi-point game of the young season for right wing Haydar and the third for left wing Durno.  Tuesday was also the third consecutive game with a point for both veteran players. 

Having joined the AHL for the start of the 2009 season, Tuesday was the first-ever meeting between Lake Erie and Texas.  The two will meet again in Austin on Friday.

The contest got off to a slow start, as neither team could find the back of the net in the first period.  The Stars outshot the visiting Monsters, 14-8, in the frame. 

The tide would change drastically in the second period, however, as Lake Erie lit Texas up for three goals on seven shots.  Meanwhile, the Monsters defense did not allow any Stars shots in the period, a new franchise best for the Monsters.  The three goals in the frame was a season high for Lake Erie.

Haydar got the scoring started just 21 seconds into the middle period, assisted by defenseman Kevin Schaeffer.  It was the second straight game Schaeffer has notched an assist for the Monsters. 

Center Dupuis added to the Lake Erie lead less than eight minutes later, scoring on the power play at the 8:04 mark.  He was assisted by defenseman Brett Skinner and Haydar.  It was the first goal for  Dupuis since the season opener on October 3rd, when he notched two goals in a win over Rochester.  Tuesday's contest was also the second straight game Skinner has contributed an assist. 

Durno would wrap up the second period scoring for the Monsters with his unassisted goal at 15:55.

The Monsters entered the third and final session with a 3-0 lead.  It would appear that the game would finish with that score, until rookie defenseman Montgomery scored shorthanded on an empty net with just 1:08 left in the game. It was the first goal of the season, and as a professional, for Montgomery.  Durno assisted on the goal.

Cann rejected all 24 Texas shots he faced  in goal, while Stars netminder Matt Climie recorded 20 saves on 23 shots in the loss.

The Monsters will head to Houston for a game on Wednesday night before returning to Austin for another meeting with the Stars on Friday.  The team will then get some rest before returning home to host Peoria on October 30th.