Texas Drops Fourth Straight on the Road, 4-2

Wild goal (Credit: Reese Strickland)

Texas had given up early two goals leads in their past three games coming into tonight. That was not a problem tonight in Iowa. Playing their first game in Des Moines, the Stars fell 4-2 after spotting the Wild a 3-0 by the early second period. The first-ranked penalty kill record Texas carried into the game was tarnished as the Wild racked up three power play goals on seven chances.

Josh Robinson got his second AHL start and allowed four goals on a light shot load of just nineteen against. Texas led on shots throughout the game, ending with 34. With the loss, Texas now only has one point in four road games on this trip.

Erik Haula had two for the Wild, both the first and third goal in the game came on the power play. Taylor Matson had the second goal at even-strength.

The Stars answered back late in the third as Brendan Ranford snapped out of a scoring funk for his third of the season. Toby Petersen and Chris Mueller assisted on the even strength tally. Mueller had one of his own to draw Texas within one at the start of the third. Mike Hedden had the primary assist on the power play goal and Travis Morin the secondary. Morin's assist extended his point streak to 17 regular season games stretching back to last season and ten games this season.

Jason Zucker put the dagger in the Stars' comeback hopes with another power play tally just two minutes later to set the score at 4-2. Former Admiral Jonathan Blum assisted.

Texas goes again tomorrow against the same Wild, looking to salvage their road trip with at least a point in Des Moines.

Tonight's lines:
McKenzie-Morin-Sceviour
Hedden-Dowling-Ritchie
Ranford-Mueller-Petersen
Wathier-Peters-Stransky

Oleksiak-Rome
Wrenn-Nemeth
Jokipakka-Gaunce

Robinson

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Smith, Fortunus, Glennie, Labrie (scratch)
Campbell, Nilstorp (injury)

Fortunus scratched due to the veteran rule tonight.

Tonight's attendance was 5,609.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Iowa - November 1 2013