Late Flurry Falls Short in 4-3 Texas Stars Loss in Rockford

The Stars seemed to have everything in hand early against the IceHogs in Illinois this afternoon. Up 2-0, their six game winning streak looked like it would be extended to seven. However, four quick goals by Rockford threw those plans into chaos.

In the end, those goals would be all the IceHogs needed. A late rally by the Stars fell short. Branden Troock and Devin Shore stayed hot, hooking up for another goal on the season in the third period.

The usually stout PK allowed two, one of which was a 5-on-3 goal. The power play was also held scoreless for the first time in three games.

Jack Campbell finished the game with 33 saves and his first loss of March.

Here's the release:

It was a photo finish at the end, but the Texas Stars saw their season-high six-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday evening in a 4-3 loss to the Rockford IceHogs at BMO Harris Bank Center in front of 5,571 in attendance to close out the season series between both clubs.

Brandon Troock scored at 3:32 of the third period to pull Texas (31-19-13-1) within one. The Stars opted for the extra attacker in the final minute of regulation, but could not score the equalizer past Rockford’s Michael Leighton, who finished with 28 saves in the win for the IceHogs (37-19-5-2).

Texas closes out their four-game road trip on Tuesday against the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m.

It was an offensive first period as both teams combined for five goals, beginning with Texas scoring a pair just over a minute apart. Justin Dowling tapped home a crossing feed from Brendan Ranford at 7:07 for his 17th of the season and Greg Rallo snapped home his team-leading 22nd of the year from the slot at 8:11 off an assist by Jamie Oleksiak.

After that, Rockford responded with three unanswered to close out the opening frame. Brandon Mashinter put the Hogs on the board at 9:27 on the power play. Dennis Rasmussen knotted the game at 12:05, and Mark McNeill made it a 3-2 lead for the Hogs with two minutes remaining.

In the second, Rockford took control on a 5-on-3 power play with an easy tap-in goal for Spencer Abbott at 10:16 to make it a 4-2 lead and that was all the offense the Hogs would need.

Jack Campbell saw his personal four-game win streak come to a close despite a 33-save effort in net for Texas.

The Stars finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play while Rockford went 2-for-7. It was the first time in three contests the Stars failed to score a power play goal.

Despite the loss, Texas maintains their hold on sixth place in the AHL’s Western Conference by three points over the Milwaukee Admirals.

Tonight's lines:
Ranford-Dowling-Glennie
Hulak-Morin-Rallo
Troock-Shore-Henderson
Stransky-Smith-Valentine

Fortunus-Oleksiak
Meech-Honka
Gaunce-Lindell

Campbell

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
McKenzie, Ritchie (call up)
Bystrom, Peters, Mangene, Root (scratch)
Rynnas, Faksa (injury)

Tonight's attendance was 5,571.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Rockford - March 22 2015