Moose Edge Texas 2-1 in OT in Weekend Finale

(Photo Credit: Jonathan Kozub / Manitoba Moose)

 Winnipeg, MB - The Texas Stars got a solid 28-save effort from Anton Khudobin and Curtis McKenzie added another power play goal, but neither was enough to overcome an even stealthier Oskari Salminen 32-save performance and Alex Limoges tallying both goals for the Moose as Manitoba clawed it's way to a 2-1 overtime win over Texas in front of 4,139 at the Canada Life Centre on Sunday.

The teams skated through a scoreless first period that saw Texas outshoot the Moose 13-10. Both teams had two abbreviated power play chances in the period, but neither could crack the scoreboard in the opening frame. With both goalies making spectacular saves early, the tone was set.

The entirety of the regulation time scoring came in the penalty-marred second period. Manitoba got on the board first with the teams skating 4-on-4, when Limoges forced a turnover behind the Stars’ net, he drove from right-to-left, slipping the puck under Khudobin's pad to give the Moose a 1-0, 8:48 into the period.

After another round of penalties on both sides - at one point, three Stars and four Moose were in the box - the Stars finally cracked the scoreboard on the power play when Riley Barber took a Will Butcher pass and one-timed it at the Moose goal. Barber's shot deflected off of McKenzie's backside, past a stunned Salminen to even the score at 1-1 with 7:33 left in the middle frame. After a few more penalties late, the teams headed to intermission with the game still tied at one. The teams each had 10 shots in a period that saw 14 total penalties

Things settled a bit in the third, however neither team was able to take advantage of the clear ice as both netminders fended off multiple opportunities late. Texas outshot Manitoba 9-7 over the final 20 minutes of regulation and the teams headed to OT. 

The game looked to end midway into the bonus session when at 2:48 Khudobin went to his left to make a stellar kick-save to get things started. The rebound kicked out to the slot where Matej Blumel was and he along with Marian Studenic were off to the races for a two-on-none breakaway. Blumel chose to shoot rather than pass and Salminen made the save of the day, just getting enough of the puck to send it above the crossbar and over the glass.

Moments later with Manitoba settled into the offensive zone, Khudobin made his own save of the day with a swiping, windmill stop of a Mikey Eyssimont shot that went into the corner. With Texas unable to gain possession, Eyssimont worked to free the puck and found Limoges in front of the net, who put it past Khudobin, bringing the game to a sudden 2-1 final.

Texas finished the night 1-for-6 on the power play while going a perfect 4-for-4 on the PK. The Stars outshot Manitoba 33-30 for the game.

The Stars now head to Loveland, Colorado as they continue their road-trip for a pair with the Colorado Eagles. Texas split a season-opening series with the Eagles in October.


Tonight's lines


Bourque-Kero-Barber

Peterson-Damiani-Studenic

McKenzie-Back-Karlstrom

Tufte-Gardner-Studenic


Harley-Butcher

Gleason-Petrovic

Rosburg-Cecconi


Khudobin


Injuries, scratches and notes


Shea, Olafsson, Ducharme, Stranges (scratch)


Today's attendance was 4,139.


AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Manitoba - November 6, 2022 

Comments