Texas Comes Back to Win 4-3 in the Shootout

Tom Wandell had two assists and the game-winning shootout tally to push Texas past Lake Erie. (Credit: Ben Hall)

If you didn't believe the Stars were legit before tonight, Texas's 4-3 comeback shootout win over the Lake Erie Monsters should make you sit up and take notice. Losing 3-1 going into the third period, goals from Francis Wathier and Jamie Oleksiak pushed the score to 3-3. Jack Campbell stopped five in the overtime and five of six in the shootout for the win. Tom Wandell has the shootout game winner and two assists in regulation to help the team to the win.

Texas started the game with a five minute power play but suffered the same fate as they had at home against Houston last week in a similar situation. The Stars had a chance to score early but the power play couldn't get churning off the major 71 seconds in.

Tomas Vincour scored the first goal of the night as he beat Calvin Pickard off a solid pass from Tom Wandell. It was Vincour's third goal on the trip and Wandell's second assist. The Monsters tied it up just a few minutes later as Mike Connolly redirected a shot from Karl Stollery past Texas tender Jack Campbell. The rookie netminder didn't have a chance on the shot, and it was tied at one all. A rebound tally for Paul Carey set the score at 2-1 late in the first period.

Texas would outshoot the Monsters 12-8 in the second period, but Lake Erie was the club with the period's only goal. With David van der Gulik in the box for interference, Mike Connolly picked up his second of the night on the penalty kill and put the game at 3-1 for the Cleveland club.

The Stars had a 4-12-2 record coming into tonight's game when trailing heading into the third period. They would add to the win column tonight as the comeback kids did it again. Francis Wathier picked his spot from the right circle off the pass from Tomas Vincour to make it 4-3.

Coming into the last minutes of the game, Texas pulled Jack Campbell for the extra man. Oleksiak collected his own rebound with 66 seconds left and scored his fourth of the season, tying the game at three and stunning the home town crowd. William Wrenn picked up his first AHL point on the primary assist.

The Stars would outshoot Lake Erie 15-8 in the period trying to make the comeback. Overtime saw Jack Campbell stop five shots to Pickard's two and the game went to a shootout.

Tied after five rounds, the Stars went into extra rounds, as is their custom. Coming in forehand, Wandell went backhand in the sixth round to beat Pickard and give Campbell the chance to win the game with a save.  Brad Malone failed to score as Campbell stopped his backhand shot and won.

Texas will stay in town to play Lake Erie again tomorrow night.

Tonight's lines:
Wathier-Wandell-Vincour
Hedden-Dowling-Sceviour
Gazdic-Petersen-Cameron
Fyten-Vause-Tousignant

Oleksiak-Coyle
Baldwin-Sneep
Labrie-Wrenn

Campbell

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
R. Smith, Roussel, Nilstorp, Fraser, Benn (call up)
Glennie, Nemeth, Sloan, Morin, Chiasson, Fortunus (injured)
A. Smith (scratch)

Tonight's attendance was 10,025.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Lake Erie - February 22 2013