Texas Bounces Back with 3-2 Win Over Toronto

Note: Scoring change early Monday gave Mike Hedden a third point, a second assist on the Dowling goal. His stat line is now 1-2-3 for the game. The story has been changed to reflect that.

Alex Chiasson scored the Stars' first goal and had assists on the second and third as his line powered Texas to a 3-2 victory in Toronto this afternoon. Linemate Mike Hedden had a goal and two assists as well and Justin Dowling scored his sixth of the year as the Stars bounced back from their first back-to-back losses since Christmas.

The Stars had to be in top form on their penalty kill as they stopped seven Marlies' power plays in the game. Cristopher Nilstorp got his second start since assignment from Dallas and stopped 23 of 25 in the game. The win took Texas to 63 points on the season and helped them stay just ahead of Charlotte, who beat San Antonio today to reach 61.

Toronto struck first on a turnover just 76 seconds into the game. Luke Gazdic attempted a pass from the Texas zone to Patrik Nemeth, which was picked off by Marlies' captain Ryan Hamilton. Hamilton found twine behind Nilstorp from the right-wing circle for the 1-0 lead.

The Stars had to kill an extended 1:47 5-on-3 after Gord Baldwin was called for boarding closely followed by a questionable elbowing call on Alex Chiasson. Toronto's best chance to score came as the puck came to a stop on the goal line and Jordie Benn cleared it to the other end of the ice. The kill gave Texas some momentum, and they followed through on the scoresheet.

Alex Chiasson made up for his call with a rebound goal, his twelfth of the year, off the initial point shot from Mike Hedden. Gord Baldwin, the other penalty on the 5-on-3, had the second assist.

The Stars took a few more penalties in the second, even earning a short 3-on-5 stint midperiod. The Stars battled through it and came off 5/5 on the penalty kill through forty minutes.

Late in the period, Justin Dowling picked up his sixth goal of the season, going top shelf above the blocker of Mark Owuya. Alex Chiasson picked up a second point on the night with the primary assist. Mike Hedden was later awarded a second assist on the goal. The 2-1 goal was followed by a Texas power play as Simon Gysbers was found guilty of boarding.

The penalty carried into the third period where Texas made it count. Even though it didn't count as a power play goal, Mike Hedden's third of the year came just as the penalty expired. Chiasson had yet another assist on the goal, which Hedden dinged off the crossbar and in. The goal completed a three point night for Hedden.

Greg McKegg found a rebound as the period wore on and beat Nilstorp on his second effort to make it a 3-2 lead for Texas. With eleven minutes left, Texas was down to a one goal lead.

The Marlies pulled Owuya with two minutes left and had an extended 6-on-5. Texas managed quite a few solid clears to keep the game at 3-2. Cristopher Nilstorp had to make one final save after a faceoff with one second left in the game.

Texas now returns home to play Houston on Tuesday.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Roussel-Sceviour
Hedden-Dowling-Chiasson
Tousignant-Wathier-A. Smith
Gazdic-Petersen-Vause

Baldwin-Fortunus
Nemeth-Benn
Sloan-Sneep

Nilstorp

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Vincour, Oleksiak, R. Smith (call up)
Labrie, Fyten (scratch)
Glennie, Morin (injured)

Tonight's attendance was 4,556.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Toronto - February 10 2013

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