Texas Extends Point Streak to 12, Loses to Rockford 4-3 in OT

(Credit: Todd Reicher/Rockford IceHogs)

An uncharacteristic night from the Texas penalty kill was a key factor in their 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the IceHogs in Rockford, Illinois this evening. The top-ranked PK in the league allowed two goals on four chances against. Thomas Harley and Curtis McKenzie were the goal scorers for the Stars with the captain potting a pair.

Rockford's first goal was an absurd fluke, a rainbow goal that flipped up and over Anton Khudobin on second effort at the net by Luke Philp. It came with just three seconds remaining in the game's opening power play.

Texas battled back with two goals in the first half of the middle frame. A deft stick check by Jacob Peterson stalled a Rockford breakout and kept the puck in the zone. Thomas Harley scored from the high slot a few seconds later.

Another good keep on a failed exit by Rockford generated the next goal. This time, it was Thomas Harley extending the stick to keep the puck in, sending it to McKenzie for the 2-1 lead.

It wouldn't last long as D.J. Busdeker scored a solo effort despite being draped with three green sweaters. The 2-2 tie would carry to the final frame.

A second effort at the net on the power play would push the Hogs ahead in the third. David Gust finished his own first effort to go up 3-2. McKenzie got his second of the night a few minutes later, tapping in a puck that died behind Stauber and sat waiting for him in the blue paint off the initial stop.

Texas secured a point and extended their streak to 12 by moving to overtime. However, it was Rockford emerging with the second point. As is the nature of the overtime period, a good chance for Texas turned into a 2-on-1 the other way for the IceHogs. Lukas Reichel finished his chance without the pass.

The Stars stay on the road to meet the Griffins in Grand Rapids on Friday and Saturday.

Injuries, scratches and notes
Karow, Ducharme (scratch)
Rosburg (long-term upper-body injury)

Tonight's attendance was 2,838.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Rockford - January 3 2023