Franchise-Record Eight Goals Power Stars Past Rivs

The Stars vaulted themselves into a tie for first place in the conference with a franchise-record tying eight goal effort tonight in Peoria, Illinois. Seven Stars had multipoint nights including Tomas Vincour (2g,1a) and Alex Chiasson (1g,2a). Austin Smith picked up his second goal in as many nights.

The Stars had a perfect special teams performance as well with three of three effort on the power play and four penalty kills on four attempts. Richard Bachman collected the win, stopping 30 of 34 shots in his first game action since the end of the 2011-12 season. With the win, Texas closed the season series with Peoria with a perfect 4-0 record.

Texas was down 2-0 late in the first period off goals from Andrew Murray and Evgeny Grachev in the 12th and 17th minute. Just ten second after the Stars' went down by two, Austin Smith cut the Peoria lead in half with his second goal in as many games. Patrik Nemeth and Taylor Vause assisted on the play as the Vause Smith connection continued to mature.

The Stars finished the first down 2-1 on the scoreboard and being outshot 15-9.

Texas' power play took control in the early second period. Alex Chaisson went first as Max Fortunus's shot from the point was tipped by the rookie forward for his tenth of the season and the two all tie.

Three minutes later, Matt Fraser collected his team-high nineteenth on the power play. His snipe from the right circle beat McKenna to put Texas ahead 3-2 briefly.

Just over three minute more into the period and Chris Porter beat Richard Bachman to tie things up at three. On the penalty kill toward the end of the period, Tomas Vincour jumped up on the play and raced in on Mike McKenna. Vincour went forehand-backhand to score a shorthanded goal and set the score at 4-3 going into the second intermission.

The third period was almost all Texas as they continued to develop chemistry and pour on the offense. Justin Dowling scored his first goal in a Stars' jersey fifty-three seconds in off a snapshot over McKenna's shoulder from the right circle. Patrick Nemeth picked up his second assist of the night on the play, and Chiasson added an assist to his goal.

Toby Petersen scored his fourth of the year just under two minute later and sent McKenna for the showers. Jake Allen would cede another power play goal to the Stars, this time off the stick of Maxime Fortunus. Chiasson picked up another assist on the goal.

Tomas Vincour collected the eighth goal of the night late in the third period for his third point of the night. Anthony Nigro wrapped up the scoring pinging one off the crossbar and in behind Bachman.

Charlotte, who is tied with Texas for first in the West, plays tomorrow while the Stars are idle. Texas will play again on Monday at Rockford.

Tonight's lines:
Fraser-Roussel-Vincour
Hedden-Dowling-Chiasson
Gazdic-Vause-A. Smith
Martin-Petersen-Tousignant

Fortunus-Baldwin
Nemeth-Oleksiak
Sloan-Labrie

Bachman

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Eakin, R. Smith, Benn, Dillon, Nilstorp, Sceviour (call up)
Wathier, Morin, Glennie (injured)
Coyle (scratched)

Tonight's attendance was 6,501.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Peoria - January 19 2013

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