Maxime Lagace Leads Texas Stars to 3-2 Victory in Alamo City

(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

The umpteenth chapter in the I-35 rivalry continued with some new twists, as Texas emerged victorious on the road against San Antonio. Maxime Lagace joined the Stars and stopped 34 of 36 for the win.

Brett Ritchie, who had been so close to scoring several times last night in Cedar Park, opened the night's offensive efforts and Julius Honka pushed the lead to 2-0 on the power play. As the first period came to a close, the Stars had successfully pitched a clean sheet in the period with Maxime Lagace returning to the net to stop 14 shots against.

Greg Rallo, a former Rampage captain, made it 3-0 with a power play goal of his own to start the second. San Antonio began chipping away at the Stars lead from there.

Dennis Everberg got a power play goal to pierce the Stars' shutout with just over four minutes left in the second. As it was Teddy Bear Toss night, a nine minute delay cut into the Rampage momentum from the goal. During the delay, the Rampage mascot got some choice words from Travis Morin after the mascot decided it was appropriate to approach Maxime Lagace and touch him with one of the teddy bears on the ice.

Joey Hishon opened the third period with an even strength mark. San Antonio worked hard to collect the tying goal in the final minutes, but Texas emerged victorious.

The two clubs will finish off a three game set on Tuesday.

Tonight's lines:
McKenzie-Morin-Stransky
Ranford-Faksa-Rallo
Dickinson-Dowling-Ritchie
Elie-Smith-Troock

Lindell-Honka
Bystrom-Johns
Backman-Evans

Lagace

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Blacker, Shore (injury)
Hulak, Kane, Ully, Mangene (scratch)

Tonight's attendance was 7,256.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Antonio - December 27 2015