Texas Stars Dominate in 7-3 Defeat of San Jose

(Credit: Kavin Mistry / San Jose Barracuda)

The Texas Stars were in control throughout their 7-3 win over the San Jose Barracuda.

Following a two-game series against Colorado where the Stars struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure, the team bounced back and spent a majority of the game in the offensive zone against San Jose. The Stars ended up outshooting San Jose 30-19 and also forced a multitude of turnovers in the offensive zone that led to scoring chances.

Texas started their domination of possession and control of the game in the first period. After a quick rush by San Jose led to a goal scored by Noah Gregor on the team’s second shot of the day, Texas went down 1-0. However, minus a few fast breaks given up to San Jose, Texas controlled the puck and turned that control into two goals before the period ended. On the first power play of the game for the Stars, Andreas Borgman scored on a shot from the point assisted by Anthony Louis and Riley Tufte. About four minutes of game time later, Nicholas Caamano forced a turnover in the offensive zone and Caamano ended up converting the prime opportunity himself assisted by Oskar Back and Fredrik Karlstrom.

A combined five goals were scored in an eventful second period as Josh Melnick, Fredrik Karlstrom and Riley Tufte were the Stars who found the back of the net. The Stars played high-pressure hockey throughout the period, but gave up two goals to San Jose on only seven shots.

The final period was much of the same dominance for the Stars. Alex Petrovic scored his first goal as a Texas Star during an odd play in which the San Jose goalie was out of the net after a collision with Nicholas Caamano and Petrovic fired the puck into the empty net. San Jose head coach Roy Sommer was adamant that the goal should be disallowed, but the referees called it a good goal, putting the Stars up 6-3. With just 30 seconds remaining, Curtis McKenzie tucked a breakaway for the team’s season-high seventh goal of the game.

Both Nicholas Caamano and Fredrik Karlstrom registered three points during the game and their line with Oskar Back was prolific all day. Both Caamano and Back were plus-4 on the day and Karlstrom was plus-3.

Altogether, the Stars pitched a strong and complete game as they brought their three-game losing streak to an end. The Stars offense took advantage of the opportunities they generated and the team managed the game well overall.

The Stars will be looking to continue their forward momentum when they return to face San Jose tomorrow at 5 PM.

Today's lines

McKenzie-Peterson-Damiani
Gardner-Melnick-Felhaber
Louis-L'Esperance-Tufte
Karlstrom-Back-Caamano

Gleason-Petrovic
Borgman-Cecconi
Rosburg-Barteaux
Oettinger

Injuries, scratches and notes
Shea, Dellandrea, Kawaguchi, Gregoire (scratch)
Martin (injury)
Harley (callup)

Today’s attendance was 1,573.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Jose - November 6 2021