Texas Finishes Strong Road Trip with 4-3 Win in Iowa

Texas closed their four-game road trip strong with a 4-3 victory in Iowa this evening. The game was the only action in the AHL this evening, allowing Texas to collect two points and put themselves just three points behind the IceHogs for fifth place.

Derek Hulak had an excellent night with a goal and an assist, and Devin Shore collected his second pro goal. The power play scored, and the PK held the Wild scoreless on the man advantage. Texas finishes their road trip with six of a possible eight points.

Texas appeared to have the opening goal in the game off a wrist shot by Cameron Gaunce that was tipped in front. The tip was a high stick and was instantly waved off by the officiating crew. A few minutes later, Iowa collected the actual first goal of the night. Zack Mitchell potted his 16th of the year on a cram play at the net. He collected the puck off Jack Campbell's left pad and backhanded it home.

Joel Chouinard put Iowa up 2-0 in the second with a shot through traffic that beat the Stars' defenses. Less than a minute later, Scott Glennie generated a turnover and pass the puck to an on-rushing Derek Hulak. The rookie snapped the puck to the top-left corner with three Wild players closing in for the 2-1 score.

ATO Devin Shore scored his second professional goal just past the thirteen minute mark of the second period. The goal, which came off a slick pass by Julius Honka, was his first pro point not assisted or scored by Branden Troock.

On the power play late in the frame, Texas completed their demonstrative period with a goal from the captain. Maxime Fortunus got his ninth of the year with twenty seconds left before the intermission. The 'helmet violation' penalty, a new rule this season, was the first Texas has had for or against.

The Stars got an insurance goal late in the third to put the game away. Justin Dowling's initial shot came to the stick of Branden Troock on the rebound for the 4-2 mark. The Wild made it interesting late with a 6-on-5 goal to make it 4-3. Texas managed to keep Gustafsson in the net for much of the remainder of the game to ensure the win.

Texas returns home to play Grand Rapids Friday and Saturday.

Tonight's lines:
Rallo-Morin-Stransky
Ranford-Dowling-Glennie
Troock-Shore-Hulak
Smith-Peters

Fortunus-Oleksiak
Valentine-Honka
Gaunce-Lindell
Bystrom

Campbell

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
McKenzie, Ritchie (call up)
Meech, Henderson, Mangene, Root (scratch)
Rynnas, Faksa (injury)

Tonight's attendance was 3,650.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Iowa - March 24 2015

Comments

  1. it would take some good hockey but no miracles at this point for the Stars to win the division. Granted, we might just look to settle for getting into the playoffs after the up and down season but a couple things stand out. Oklahoma City has been playing bad and it looks like catching them is a strong possibility. We play San Antonio three straight at the end of the season which is the 6 points we now need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great point. OKC is having bad injury issues and just signed a PTO with a 40 year old ECHL guy. San Antonio is now first in the division and it could be those last three games that give Texas a chance to vault the Rampage.

      Delete
    2. And we'll get Ritchie, McKenzie and Nemeth back for those last 3. Could be a huge point swing with a sweep.

      -Brandon

      Delete

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