HOUSTON (AP) – Houston Aeros, losers in three of their last lour World Hockey Association playoff games, try to rebound tonight against New England Whalers In Hie second game of their best-of-seven United States final

The Aeros, who have cruised to back-to-back WHA championships, were shocked by the underdog Whalers 4-2 in the opening game of the series here Wednesday night

Another loss in The Summit tonight would severely hamper the Aeros' chances of winning their third successive WHA crown The next two games will be Sunday and Tuesday at Hartford.

Although the Aeros' sluggishness is mystifying, there wus little question how they lost Wednesday night's series opener-right winger Tom Webster scored three goals and rookie goaltender Cap Raeder frustrated the Aeros at every turn.

“Were in a situation where you need outstanding goaltending and we've Iteen getting it,” Webster said of Raeder.

Webster doesn't reject the Whalers' role of underdogs.

“We're definitely the underdogs,” he said. “We were lucky to make the playoffs.

“We were underdogs against Cleveland and Indianapolis and now against the Aeros.”

The Whalers came into the playoffs with the worst regular-season record of any playoff team Coach Harry Neale is the team's third coach this season.

While Raeder continues to have a hot hand. Houston's all-star goalie Ron Grahame is having his problems

“I'll probably get benched for the way I played,” a dejected Grahame said after Wednesday's loss. “Maybe I deserve it.

“Their first two goals were clearly my fault and I probably could have done better on their third.”

Grahame lost two successive games to San Diego in the Aeros' quarter-final playoff series after Houston had taken a 3-0 lead in the series. Wayne Rutledge then came in for the sixth game and beat the Mariners to wrap up the series.