Frenetic Final Minutes See Texas Stars Come Close, Fall 5-4

(Credit: Grand Rapids Griffins)
After coming out of the first period tied at two, Texas found itself down 5-2 with just a few minutes left in the third period. The Stars managed to find the net twice in the final three minutes, but it wasn't enough as Texas fell 5-4 in Grand Rapids tonight in front of 8,288.

Texas opened the scoring with a fourth line tally by Taylor Peters off a nice reversal by Francis Wathier behind the net. Grand Rapids collected the next two goals, however. Mitch Callahan scored the first shorthanded goal against the Stars on the season, scoring as the trailer off the initial shot by Cory Emmerton. Grand Rapids went ahead on Riley Sheahan's fourth of the year, a tip play in front of Cristopher Nilstorp. Texas tied things up with Chris Mueller scoring on the power play off the assist of McKenzie and Morin, a backdoor shot.

Grand Rapids got the only goal in the second period as Cris Nilstorp got beat on a wrap-around goal by David McIntyre, the former Houston Aeros center.

The Griffins pushed their advantage in the third period as Pulkinnen and Tootoo scored in the frame. Tootoo's goal with under four minutes left seemed to put the game on ice at 5-2 but ended up being the game-winner after a crazy final three.

Texas pulled Nilstorp for the extra man with a Griffin already in the box for hooking. The 6-on-4 advantage yielded results as Scott Glennie found twine off a heads-up pass from Curtis McKenzie. Colton Sceviour picked up the second assist.

Less than a minute later, the Stars' Justin Dowling got his second of the year on a searing slap shot. Cameron Gaunce continued his solid play with the primary assist. Ultimately it would not be enough as the defending champs would tighten up for the final 90 seconds to hold onto a 5-4 lead.

Texas plays the Griffins again tomorrow night.

Tonight's lines:
McKenzie-Morin-Sceviour
Glennie-Mueller-Ritchie
Ranford-Dowling-Hedden
Wathier-Peters-Petersen

Oleksiak-Wrenn
Jokipakka-Gaunce
Fortunus-Nemeth

Nilstorp

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Vause, Stransky, Button (scratch)
Campbell (injury)

Tonight's attendance was 8,288.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Grand Rapids - November 29 2013

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