Texas Salvages a Point in Coachella, But Stays Winless on Western Road Trip

(Credit: Mike Zitek/Coachella Valley Firebirds)

The Texas Stars made their way to Coachella Valley for the first time this season tonight and emerged with a point via an overtime loss, coming back from down 3-2 in the first. The Stars and Firebirds traded goals in the first period, but things were quiet from there until Cody Haiskanen scored his second in as many games to tie things at three.

The Firebirds struck first early. Less than a minute in, Texas had a failed clear come back on them for Ryan Winterton's tally. Former Star Marian Studenic had the primary assist to find him in open space. The Stars came back thanks to a power play a minute later. Curtis McKenzie set the franchise record for power play goals with a tip off the blast from Matej Blümel. It was his 51st as a Star.

Another former Star dished to Kole Lind just another minute later to regain the Coachella Valley lead. It was a similar play to the first goal by CV.

Things settled down a bit with a whole six minutes without a goal. Jack Becker cut that streak with his tally at 9:03 off a loose puck scramble. Full credit should go to Chase Wheatcroft, who pressured the CV defender into a giveaway on what should have been a routine retrieval.

Cameron Hughes regained the CV lead on the power play late in the period to cap off the five-goal frame. It was a rebound goal just eight seconds into the advantage.

The only other Stars' goal of the game came in the third when McKenzie found a trailing Haiskanen for the 3-3 tie.

Blümel had a wild chance to start overtime as he got two bites at the apple off a pass from Mavrik Bourque. Cameron Hughes got his second of the game to win it in OT on a 3-on-0 break.

Notably, Remi Poirier appeared somewhat hurt at the end of OT after making a sprawling save. With back-to-backs upcoming, his condition will be important for the Stars.

Injuries, scratches and notes

Stankoven, M. Murray (callup)

Bäck, Rassell, Pettersen (scratch)

Bayreuther (suspended)

Reedy (out - upper body)

Tonight's attendance was 9,224.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Coachella Valley - March 20 2024