Bottom Six Pitches In For 4-3 Texas Win Over Bakersfield

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Texas has had so much success when scoring first this season that it's no wonder it's been a focus of the club as the season has drawn to a close. Tonight, looking to play a spoiler against the Bakersfield Condors, Texas opened up a 3-0 lead in the first en route to a 4-3 victory over the visitors.

"It's always nice to get the first goal and to get the lead like that," said Cole Ully, whose goal in the second period was the ultimate game-winner. "It felt good to hold onto the lead."

Bakersfield turned up the hear in the second and third periods, drawing within one goal with half a period remaining. "We just knew we had to stay calm. We switched to a more defensive forecheck and held them off. It felt good after a couple games giving up leads."

Coach Laxdal agreed, "We had really good energy to start the game off and through the whole game."

Starting the game, at least on the official scoresheet, was Nicholas Caamano. The 18-year old amateur tryout out of junior played in his first pro game and collected his first pro point on Austin Fyten's first period tally. "It was a great experience. One of the funnest nights I've ever had playing the game," said Caamano postgame. "It was great to get the first one under my belt. Fyten made a great shot there, so I was lucky to get the point."

Laxdal added, "That's why I started him, to getthe butterflies out of him. He, Fyten and Reid [Sturos] did a great job getting pucks in deep and playing a grinding game. We haven't had that this year and he probably had 12-13 minutes by the end of the game."

Before Caamano's point, Ethan Werek and Caleb Herbert scored within 14 second of each other to put the Condors on their heels. The Fyten goal ended the night for Nick Ellis, who finished with 4 saves on 7 shots. Jonas Gustavsson relieved him and ended up taking the loss, allowing the Ully goal in the second.

Bakersfield charged back in the second half of the game, closing a three goal gap to just one. Texas started taking penalties late but locked it down to prevent the tie.

Texas will be without Matej Stransky as they hit the road this weekend. The Stars' leading goal scorer got hit in the mouth with either a stick or puck right in front of the Bako net, sending him off for repairs. He seemed a little dazed as he headed to the bench as well.

The Stars hit the road with just 19 skaters available to face Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday.

Tonight's lines:
Stransky-Morin-Gurianov
Werek-McNeill-DeFazio
Herbert-McMurtry-Ully
Caamano-Fyten-Sturos

Heatherington-Stevenson
Bayreuther-Mangene
Ebert-Bodnarchuk

Peters

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Elie, Dickinson, Honka, Smith, Dowling (call up)
Bystrom, Dietz, Martenet (scratch)

Tonight's attendance was 4,927.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Bakersfield - April 5 2017