The win improves Lake Erie to 27-22-3-5 overall and 17-8-2-3 on home ice, while the Monsters now stand just two points behind Manitoba for first place in the division.

The Monsters struck first by scoring at 12:24 of the opening period. Scott Langdon tried a shot from the right circle and the rebound kicked out to David van der Gulik, who buried a snap shot from the left hash mark for his seventh goal of the season. Langdon’s assist came in just his first game with Lake Erie, as the rookie defenseman was called up from the Allen Americans (CHL) on Monday. Ryan Stoa also assisted.

At the end of the first period the Monsters had a one-goal advantage but trailed by a 13-12 shot count.

Lake Erie pushed its lead to 2-0 when Luke Walker picked up a loose puck behind the Texas net and tucked a wraparound inside the right goalpost at 8:49 of the middle frame. Van der Gulik assisted for his sixth point (4G, 2A) in as many games, while Matt Ford also recorded a helper.

The Stars got on the board at 15:18 of the period, when Dan Spang chipped in Toby Petersen’s rebound to make the score 2-1. Greg Rallo also assisted.

Both teams recorded 10 shots in the middle frame and Lake Erie carried its 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

In the third period the Monsters used a power play to build a 3-1 lead at the 15:59 mark. Joel Chouinard ripped a slap shot from the right point and after Justin Mercier was denied on a rebound, Stoa buried a third effort to give Lake Erie a two-goal lead. Stoa’s goal came as his 39th as a Monster, tying him with former Lake Erie player T.J. Hensick for the all-time franchise lead. Stoa’s goal also marked his 71st point in a Lake Erie uniform, tying him for third among all-time franchise leaders (Brian Willsie).

Texas (29-18-3-3) made the score 3-2 when Dave Bonk scored with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Mark Derlago and Cody Chupp assisted.

In favor of an extra attacker, the Stars pulled their goaltender at 18:07 but the Monsters held onto their 3-2 lead for their 11th win in their last 15 games (11-3-0-1).

Lake Erie goaltender Jason Bacashihua provided a 32-save effort to claim his second straight win.

At the other end, Richard Bachman went 24-for-27 in goal for the Stars.

The Monsters will conclude a stretch of 12 of 13 home games by hosting Texas for a rematch at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

Three Stars: 1. LE van der Gulik (1 goal, 1 assist); 2. LE Stoa (1 goal, 1 assist); 3. LE Bacashihua (32 saves)