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| (Credit: Tim Garland) |
It took more than 60, but Texas got the full two points for a second time in Iowa, winning 4-3 in a shootout after trailing 2-0 to start the contest.
The Wild scored in the first minute of the game and again six minutes later to put the Stars in a hole. Texas never gave up and started the work right away with goals from Ben Gleason, Matej Blumel and Riley Barber pushing them ahead 3-2. Iowa tied it late with the extra attacker to send the game to overtime. Despite two penalty kills in OT, the Stars emerged unscathed to see Tanner Kero win it in the third round of the shootout.
Matej Blumel again had a stellar night, potting two points. He now sits tied for first in league scoring and in third for overall points. He is the highest ranked rookie in both categories as well.
Iowa opened the scoring just 50 seconds into the game. It was a juicy rebound off the pad of Khudobin that found Nick Swaney unmarked in the slot for an easy backhander into a wide-open net. It was the first goal of the year for Iowa against Texas after Matt Murray blanked the club last night.
The Wild made it 2-0 on a lucky sequence just six minutes later. Texas had a centering pass rebuffed by Simon Johansson, who found Sammy Walker on the opposing blue line for a breakaway. Walker beat Khudobin 1-on-1.
The Stars would answer just three minutes later on a delayed penalty call. Ty Ronning slashed Riley Tufte in the neutral zone and Texas made him pay for the error. Fredrik Olofsson found Ben Gleason from the right-wing circle for a dead-to-rights shot past Jesper Wallstedt to make it 2-1.
The second period was quieter on the scoresheet but busy for the referees. Each side took two penalties a piece, and Brandon Baddock picked up a game misconduct for abuse of officials. The power play was finally lethal for Texas in the game with who else but Matej Blumel beating Wallstedt to even the score. Will Butcher had the primary assist and Riley Barber notched his third point in four games for Texas. It was Blumel's fifth goal in just four games.
Blumel repaid the favor to Barber to start the third period as Barber beat Wallstedt from a severe angle on the left side. And while Tanner Kero didn't get a point on the play, he was instrumental as he caused havoc in front of Wallstedt.
The Wild poured it on in the rest of the period. Texas's last shot of the frame was just 7:31 in. Texas has seven shots and then Iowa had nine, in that order exactly. The last shot of the frame beat Khudobin to tie it on a jam play at the net to send it to overtime.
In overtime, Texas had to kill two penalties but did so with calm and composure. The top line took all three shootout tries and Kero had the game-winner in the third round.
The Stars continue their road trip with a day game in Chicago on Tuesday.
Tonight's lines
Blumel-Kero-Barber
Karlstrom-Back-Damiani
McKenzie-Bourque-Studenić
Tufte-Gardner-Olofsson
Rosburg-Butcher
Shea-Petrovic
Harley-Gleason
Khudobin
Injuries, scratches and notes
Karow, Cecconi, Ducharme, Stranges (scratch)
Tonight's attendance was 4,703.
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