Bakersfield Tops Texas in High-Scoring 6-4 Game

(Credit: Bakersfield Condors)

In a game with ten total goals, the Texas Stars came up on the short end tonight against the Condors in Bakersfield. The game ended their lengthy California road trip with six of a possible ten points. Despite all the goals, Mavrik Bourque saw his eight-game point streak come to a close, and Curtis McKenzie also saw his streak of having a point in each road game end.

Matt Murray took the loss with 29 stops on 35 shots. Former Star Jack Campbell earned the win, halting 29 of 33.

Texas got the early opener, even earlier than last night, from Matej Blümel in Bakersfield. It was a quick shot, the first of the game either way, and beat Campbell five-hole for the 1-0 score. The Condors would even it with a power play tally. Drake Caggiula had a solid chance in transition that just went wide and the home side set up. Lane Pedersen would finish the play with a rebound. It was 1-1 after twenty.

Bako opened the second period scoring almost as quickly as Texas had opened in the first. Cameron Wright scored the second AHL goal of his career after marking his first last night. It was a similar play in transition to Blümel's opener, but from the right side.

Coming off a penalty kill, the Stars got the tying goal from Scott Reedy, his second of the week, snapping it over the glove of Campbell.

Former Star Ben Gleason broke in alone and took a seemingly simple shot on Matt Murray that trickled past him for the 3-2 lead. Pedersen went again on the power play this time for the 4-2 lead. The Stars got one back with Blümel's second of the night, a rebound off his own shot and a deft pass from behind the net by Oskar Bäck.

As a penalty expired to open the third, Xavier Bourgault banked one off the skate of Texas' Lian Bichsel to extend the lead to 5-3 Bako. Derrick Pouliot made it interesting with a changeup shot to beat Campbell and make it 5-4. However, Cameron Wright continued his hot streak with his third goal in the last two games, making it 6-4.

Texas gets a decent break before their next contest against Chicago at home on Friday.

Injuries, scratches and notes
Berard, Arcuri, White, Stranges (scratch)
Bayreuther (out - ankle)

Tonight’s attendance was not available at press time.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Bakersfield - December 2 2023