Texas Stars Cement Second Place at Break with OT Win in Bakersfield

Condors captain Brad Malone shoots on Mike McKenna
(Credit: Bakersfield Condors)

Texas secured second place in the Pacific Division at the Christmas break with another overtime victory in Bakersfield this evening. The Stars are now 7-1 in OT this season. Brian Flynn continued to quietly contribute to the offense with two goals, including the game winner. Mike McKenna got his first start since December 1st and won with 29 stops.

Texas opened the scoring on a deflection goal that Matt Mangene, playing at defense, got credit for. Iiro Pakarinen evened things up on the power play to start the second. The Stars scored two more of their own on the power play, first Flynn then Denis Gurianov to vault ahead 3-1. The Condors would cut the lead to one with a Kyle Platzer goal late in the second.

Joey LaLeggia guaranteed a point for the Condors late in the third with a tying goal, sending it to overtime.

The Stars had the only shot of the overtime period, a goal off the stick of Flynn. It was his 10th goal of the year.

Texas now returns back to Cedar Park for the Christmas break and will next be in action on Wednesday against the Rampage.

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Laberge, Bayreuther (scratch)
Rallo, Regner (injury)
Elie, Honka (call-up)

Tonight's attendance was 4,026.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Bakersfield - December 23 2017