Third Period Outburst Fuels Texas Stars 4-3 Comeback Win

Matt Fraser beats Dov Grumet-Morris for his 31st of the year. (Credit: Josh Rasmussen/Texas Stars)

It's been a while since the Stars have gotten a big third period comeback but they did so tonight, erasing a two goal deficit to win 4-3 over the San Antonio Rampage at Cedar Park Center.

"It's a good feeling to come from behind," said forward Matt Fraser, who scored twice in the contest. "We had belief we could do it, and it shows the character of the team."

Falling behind 3-1 in the second after a Greg Rallo power play goal, Texas put three pucks past Dov Grumet-Morris in the opening seven minutes of the final frame to go ahead 4-3.

"We knew if we had a quick start in the third, we could win it," added Colton Sceviour, who had a goal and two assists in the game. "Coming back to win like that takes character."

Texas reclaims outright possession of first place in the league with the win and the two points, pushing them to 83 on the season overall. The Stars only have 13 games left on the season. The club's season record for points (99) was set in the 80-game inaugural season.

Texas allowed an early first period goal off a turnover. Richard Bachman was beat glove side off a two-on-one by John MacFarland under three minutes into the match. Matt Fraser answered back on the power play with his 30th of the year from one of his favorite scoring spots, the right wing circle. Fraser's one-timer off the pass from Morin tied the game.

San Antonio would go ahead by a goal less than a minute later, however. Evan Barlow, the former and current Rampage forward just re-signed on a PTO, beat Bachman off the near post to end the period at a 2-1 lead.

The Rampage extended their lead in the second with former Texas Star Greg Rallo picking up his 22nd goal of the season, a notable feat considering his slow start. Looking to do Fraser one better, Rallo scored his tally on the power play from the left-wing circle on a one-timer, also a favorite spot for Rallo.

Andre Deveaux sustained an unsightly injury in the second period as well that caused a long stoppage of play. Deveaux fell to the ice after appearing to be hit with a high stick. Rampage captain Nolan Yonkman attempted to jump over the sliding Deveaux but missed and cut Deveaux's face with his skate blade. Deveaux was taken to Cedar Park Regional Medical Center and was released later in the evening, travelling home with the team, which waited for his release.

The Stars came alive in the third period, scoring three to go ahead and win. It was the sixth come from behind win for the Stars this year.

Matt Fraser went first, scoring his 31st of the year off a nifty backhand pass form Colton Sceviour. Sceviour himself went next under two minutes later off a turnover. The Rampage pass from O'Hanley was broken up by Sceviour as snapped the puck past DGM for the 3-3 tie. The unassisted tally was his 18th goal of the year.

Justin Dowling capped off the night's scoring with his 10th of the season. "Hedden tried passing it down low to me and it went off the backwall," said Dowling. "I went to shoot it, and it somehow squeaked through."

Rampage penalties all but closed the door on their chances to tie in the final frame. Texas's power play kept possession and shut down any chance at a comeback.

Richard Bachman stopped 23 or 26 in his first game back in Austin.

Texas is now idle until Friday when they will face the Rochester Americans for their only appearance at the Cedar Park Center this season.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Morin-Sceviour
Hedden-Dowling-Chiasson
Petersen-Wandell-Glennie
Wathier-Vause-Cameron

Labrie-Wrenn
Sneep-Baldwin
Fortunus-Sloan

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
R. Smith, Roussel, Benn, Oleksiak, Vincour, Campbell (call up)
Nemeth, Gazdic, Nilstorp (injured)
Fyten, Tousignant (scratch)

Tonight's attendance was 5,484.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. San Antonio - March 19 2013