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(Credit: Logan Faust/Texas Stars) |
The Texas Stars’ special teams and goaltending led the way tonight at the H-E-B Center in 6-2 win over the visiting Iowa Wild. The Stars scored three power-play goals, one short-handed goal and went 7-for-8 on the penalty kill. Antonio Stranges notched a three-point night, marking five total in three games. Newcomer Arttu Hyry added two power play goals as well.
“I thought both primaries [Stranges] made on the power play were high, high-skilled plays,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham postgame. “Great vision. He made them with authority, and that tells me he's confident at the moment. That's a good thing.”
The game was a physical contest both ways with a combined 70 penalty minutes. “I thought from a physical standpoint, we handled ourselves well. We still have to clean up our discipline at home, in particular, we were able to stay at the box better on the road in the early going, and frankly, when we're playing a physical brand, moving our feet and using our sticks correctly.”
Magnus Hellberg finished the night saving 36 of 38 shots and was integral for the Stars' success on the penalty kill. Graham had high praise for Hellberg, “[He was] good, very good. He's been steady. Despite winning his last game, I know he said he felt like he had a little bit better, but he also stayed in the fight really well, which I fully agree. And then I thought today, he was very sharp, controlled a couple rebounds, also put some rebounds in spots to ensure there wasn't a second opportunity right in our slot. He did a really good job.’
The Stars would jump to the lead ten seconds into their first power-play of the night with a tap-in goal from forward Cameron Hughes after a great cross-crease pass from Matěj Blümel. The Wild struck back with a power-play goal of their own just three minutes later, scored by forward Brendan Gaunce. The goal came on a full, two-minute 5-on-3 after Kyle McDonald tripped a Wild skater while already on a delay of game. Texas responded late in the first period with a goal from Kyle Capobianco, his first as a Star, after a nifty give-and-go passing play with Blümel. It was his second primary assist of the game.
The physicality and the special teams ramped up for Texas in the second with six minors, two fights and two game misconducts. The Stars scored on their second power play of the period with Arttu Hyry deflecting a great shot-pass from Stranges. On the ensuing faceoff, Matthew Seminoff fought Wild forward Bradley Marek. It was Texas’ first fight of the season but not their last of the night. Both received a game misconduct for fighting directly after a faceoff.
The second period would end with another goal from Hyry on the power play. Stranges also had the primary assist with a great cross-crease pass. The period would end with the Stars leading 4-1.
The Stars ran away with the game in the third period with a tally from Stranges and a short-handed marker from Jack Becker. The effort from Stranges was his third point on the night.
“I think I'm taking a lot in from the last couple years,” said Stranges postgame. ”I've been here, and, you know, I think it's paying off. And credit to my linemates, we're really connecting right now,”
For the game’s second fight, Justin Hryckowian stood up for his teammate Christian Kyrou after Wild forward Adam Raska cross-checked the defender into the boards. “That’s great,” said Graham of the fight. “No issue on my end. I think we have to have each other's backs. So far through five games we have, but it's a sign of good things to come.”
The Wild would score with four minutes remaining in the final frame, but it was too little too late. The Texas Stars will play the Iowa Wild again tomorrow at 7 PM at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Tonight's Lines:
Pettersen-Hughes-Lind
Blümel-Hyry-McKenzie
Stranges-Hryckowian-Wheatcroft
Becker-Seminoff-McDonald
Capobianco-Petrovic
Bichsel-Krys
Karow-Kyrou
Hellberg
Injuries, scratches and notes:
Arcuri, Romano, Looft (scratch)
Defenseman Gavin White was reassigned to Idaho yesterday.
Tonight’s attendance was 5,413.
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