Texas Stars Fall to Hot Griffins Squad 6-3

(Credit: Grand Rapids Griffins)

The red-hot Griffins got a challenge from the visiting Stars this evening but ultimately walked away with the 6-3 victory in Grand Rapids this evening. After beating Milwaukee last night, Texas couldn't get ahead of a buzzsaw offensive effort from Colin Campbell and perennial performer Chris Terry. Each had a pair of goals in the contest. It was Grand Rapids' fifth straight victory.

Landon Bow took the loss, finishing with 24 saves on 29 shots. Michael Mersch played his first game since November 3rd, returning from a leg injury that had him in a walking boot for much of the month. He did not have any points in the contest.

Campbell got the first two of the game. The first was an unassisted corner pick over the blocker side of Landon Bow, playing his second game back since NHL recall. On the second goal, Campbell was the beneficiary of a turnover as Texas worked to clear, and the puck ended up right on his stick with the Stars already clearing out of the defensive zone.

The Stars stormed back into the contest with a pair of their own goals within four minutes. Joel L'Esperance scored one from a bad angle off to the right wing side of the net. Travis Morin was in traffic in front to distract Griff's netminder Harry Sateri. At the other end, Landon Bow robbed Wade Megan on a dead-to-rights shot, gloving a puck destined to make it 3-1. On the next shift, Erik Condra collected his own rebound and potted a five-hole tally on Sateri for the tie.

It wouldn't last too long as Chris Terry scored one falling down with under a minute remaining in the frame, setting the score at 3-2 after one.

The teams traded goals in the second period with Texas going first to tie things up once again. It was Adam Macherin's sixth goal in the past three games. Mascherin's recent play earned him a promotion to the top six, sliding up alongside Justin Dowling and Denis Gurianov.

Chris Terry wouldn't allow that tie to last for long with his 14th of the season, a beautiful setup by rookie Filip Zadina. Carter Camper was the benficiary of a deft pass from the same Terry from behind the net for the 5-3 tally midway through the third period.

Texas would pull Bow with just over four minutes to work on the equalizers. Dominik Shine would drain it into the empty cage from his own end with just under three minutes left and end the comeback hopes for Texas.

Texas finishes the 3-in-3 weekend in Chicago tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight's lines:
Condra-L'Esperance-Morin
Gurianov-Dowling-Mascherin
Mersch-Pearce-Payne
Markison-Phelan-Hargrove

Heatherington-Hansson
Gleason-Hanna
Vala-Norrish

Bow

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Scarlett (season-ending ACL injury)
Caamano, Nyberg, Laberge (scratch)

Tonight’s attendance was 6,146.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Grand Rapids - December 1 2018