Texas Scores Four Straight For Huge 4-3 Comeback Win

 

(Credit: Cleveland Monsters)

The Stars halted their losing streak with a confident comeback win over the Monsters in Cleveland this evening. It was a complete comeback as Texas trailed 3-0 just a few minutes into the second period and went on to win 4-3. It took a little bit of everything: a power play goal, a shorty and big points from frequent contributors Adam Mascherin, Riley Damiani and Nick Baptiste as well as infrequent ones like Derek Barach.

Colton Point got the start and stopped 32 of 35 in the contest, earning his fourth win of the year. Texas halted all five Cleveland power plays, including a 5-on-3, and scored once themselves.

Kole Sherwood opened the scoring in this one, blazing the puck over the blocker-side shoulder of Colton Point for the 1-0 lead. He even looked for the pass until the last moment. 

The Monsters came alive early in the second for a pair of goals in under a minute. Ryan Shea had a pass blocked at the offensive blue line, creating a 3-on-2 back the other way. The trailer on the play generated a shot that ended up behind Point off the rebound. Carson Meyer got the credit for the tally. A failed clear came back to bite the Stars for the third goal, and it was 3-0 pretty quickly in the second.

Texas generated a response off the rush four minutes later. Riley Damiani, who didn't get an assist on the play but deserves credit nonetheless, disrupted the Monsters defender to send Nick Baptiste and Adam Mascherin the other way. Mascherin finished Baptiste's pass for the 3-1 score. The assist extended Baptiste's point streak to eight games.

With less than a minute left in the second, the Stars found themselves on the power play following a too many men call for Cleveland. Alternate captain Josh Melnick made them pay off a bizarre bounce to set up the chance at the third period comeback.

And comeback they would. Nick Baptiste was not done yet. Damiani's initial shot went off the post right to the stick of Baptiste. He would send it to the net and see it deflect in off the legs of Adam Clendening.

On the power play just short of halfway through the period, Texas pushed their advantage for the lead. All three players getting a point had something big to contribute. Riley Tufte had an offensive chance shorthanded and collected the rebound to send it back to Thomas Harley in the defensive zone. Harley used his superb vision to find a breaking Derek Barach. A searing shot from Barach put Texas up 4-3 on the shorty.

It ended up being all the Stars would need. Despite over two minutes of 6-on-5, Texas did not break.

Cleveland and Texas end their series tomorrow at 3 PM Central.

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Porco, Scherbak, Stranges, Honka, Cecconi, M. Martin, Sholl (scratch)

Riley Damiani returned to the lineup after missing two games. Matt Jurusik backed up Colton Point, his second backup game of the season.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Cleveland - March 27 2021