Colin Markison Leads Texas's Second Period Surge, Drives 4-2 Win

Colin Markison (Credit: Texas Stars)

After a strong first period from Iowa, the Texas Stars rebounded in the second to push past the visiting Wild 4-2 at H-E-B Center tonight. Colin Markison was at the center of it all, collecting the game tying goal and assisting on the go-ahead and insurance tallies.

"He's a motor, a guy who can drive any line," said Coach Laxdal of Markison. "He drove some offense tonight just with some great forechecks. Pressure and speed kills."

Markison was everywhere in the second as he scored just 34 seconds into the frame, generated a shorthanded tally with his speed and then found open man Justin Dowling late in the frame.

Dowling find that playing with Markison gives him more confidence in his game, "He eliminates a lot of mistakes. I like to take a few chances when i'm out there and make the skill play. If I turn it over, sometimes it's not in a good spot and it seems like Markison is always there to cover for me with his legs."

Iowa opened the scoring just under a minute into the contest. It was their first shot of the game, coming on a partial breakaway by Kurtis Gabriel.

"They started quick on us and we got caught just off the change," said Laxdal. "We were back on our feet in the first period."

Sheldon Dries evened things up with a bizarre shot from the corner that rode the goal line and was ultimately knocked in by a butterflying Niklas Svedberg in net.

The Wild scored on a power play late in the period to regain the lead, but it would be their last tally of the game.

Markison's goal came just 34 seconds into the second and put some life back into the Texas bench and fans alike. The initial shot by Bayreuther came to Markison at the net and may have been played with a high stick. The call was a good goal on the ice, but the play went to a review before the final goal call.

Later, Markison's legs made a play as he broke in alone on Svedberg on the PK. Svedberg smothered his initial chance but sent a rebound out to the stick of trailing Austin Fyten, who made no mistake for the 3-2 go-ahead goal.

The period ended with Markison finding Dowling after streaking down the ice to establish the zone. Coach Laxdal commented on the "great effort" that Markison put in on the play to generate the goal.

Iowa came after Texas in the third but was continually rebuffed. The Stars only allowed six shots in the frame and grabbed a late period power play to help stem the tide of momentum from the Wild. Roope Hintz, who has been back and forth to Dallas twice in the last 72 hours, drew that penalty.

"I liked his urgency. He drew a penalty late with his play down the wall. When he's playing like that, he's a tough player to stop."

Even with a later power play for the Wild leading to a 6-on-4, Texas would not budge. Landon Bow stopped 20 of 22 as he must now take the reins from Mike McKenna with the vet in Dallas.

Texas hits the road tomorrow to play a weekend pair in Tucson starting Friday at 8:05 PM CT.

Tonight's lines:
Dowling-Morin-Markison
Flynn-Hintz-Gurianov
Rallo-Dries-Thompson
Laberge-Fyten-Mangene

Bodnarchuk-Paliotta
O'Brien-Regner
Hansson-Bayreuther

Bow

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
French, Heatherington, Scarlett, Kelleher (scratch)
McKenzie (injured)
Dickinson (call up)

Tonight's attendance was 4,750.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Iowa - March 7 2018