Shootout Unkind to Texas as Monsters Skate to 3-2 Win Over Stars

Calvin Pickard stopped 34 of 36 Texas shots (Credit: John Saraya/Lake Erie Monsters)

The Texas Stars went to shootout with the Lake Erie Monsters, falling by a 3-2 final after failing to score in the skills competition. Curtis McKenzie and Chris Mueller tallied for Texas in regulation among 36 shots that the Stars belted toward Calvin Pickard. Lake Erie volleyed 33 at Cristopher Nilstorp, who stopped 31 of those. The single point moves Texas to 74 points on the season, putting them three points up on the Heat for first place.

The Monsters opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period. Michael Schumacher put in his third goal of the season just under nine minutes into the period, a quick one-timer. It was one of just seven shots in the period for Lake Erie.

Texas evened things up in the second period with an even-strength tally off the stick of Curtis McKenzie. The goal was initially awarded to Colton Sceviour with an assist to McKenzie, but further review revealed that McKenzie tipped the puck at the net off the slick shot by Sceviour. Jamie Oleksiak got the second assist either way. With Maxime Fortunus scratched to get all eight D-men into the lineup, Derek Meech manned the point on the first unit.

The third period saw the two clubs trade power play goals. Texas's league best power play was cued up by a pair of minor penalties by the Monsters that set up a 5-on-3. Chris Mueller scored off the back door feed from Travis Morin. Morin and Sceviour both collected their 61st point on the goal.

Morin would give it back with a penalty of his own for elbowing. Stefan Elliot tallied his eighth of the season. The Texas Stars would need overtime, guaranteeing a point and one-goal margin against the worst team in the Western Conference.

Texas would head to a shootout for the second time in three games. The Stars would fail to score while Lake Erie stuck two past Cristopher Nilstorp for the 3-2 win.

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

Nemeth-Jokipakka
Oleksiak-Meech
Wrenn-Gaunce

Nilstorp

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Fortunus, Labrie, Peters (scratch)
Petersen, Campbell, Vause (injury)

Tonight's attendance was 4,935.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Lake Erie - February 26 2014