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| (Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars) |
Antonio Stranges extended his goal-scoring streak to four games, but the Stars could not overcome a two-goal first-period deficit, falling 2-1 to the visiting IceHogs in front of a sellout crowd.
“The final 40 definitely had a better identity to it. The issue for me is, even through that final 40, you're still giving up too many big ones,” Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham said. “It probably still had six to eight odd man rushes of serious threat. Whether it was breakaway, or we were two -on-one, it's something we got to get better at if we wanted to have the results shifted.”
The Stars opened the first period with a ton of pressure in the offensive zone. They appeared to score the game's first goal just over one minute in. Texas Stars forward Chase Wheatcroft made a strong move in the slot to shake a man and take a shot on a yawning cage.
It was saved by the glove hand of the sprawling goaltender Drew Commesso but lay behind him just shy of the goal line. Matěj Blümel crashed the net and knocked the puck across the line with his skate. After a lengthy review, it was determined that Blümel kicked the puck into the net, and the goal did not stand.
“They said it was extremely close,” Graham said in regards to the disallowed goal. “And you know, my argument was, it was a goal called on the ice, and if it's that close, it better be big to overturn it. But they believed in it. They said they looked at it, and you got to trust their decision. It doesn't mean you always are happy with it, but at that point, there's so much time left, you just got to refuel and refocus.”
Despite this setback, the Stars continued to push early in the game. The shots through the first five minutes were 3-0 in Texas’ favor. This momentum would change quickly after the IceHogs' leading scorer Frank Nazar scored on the Hogs’ first shot. The goal came after a couple of bad defensive zone giveaways from Texas.
The IceHogs built on this momentum throughout the rest of the period and into their second goal at the 15-minute mark. Bichsel attempted to step up in the neutral zone but was easily danced around by Hogs’ forward Zach Sanford, leading to the goal on an odd-man rush and giving the Hogs a 2-0 lead late in the first.
That misplay by Bichsel was one of his more egregious mistakes so far this year. Graham is confident that it will not be an extensive setback. “I think he came out of the gates [this year] really consistent and solid. And part of our responsibility and a part of his development is that steadiness, and I think that's why you're in the minors. You're learning those consistencies on a nightly basis, and he's gonna be fine. He's going to bounce back…”
The Stars bounced back at the beginning of the second period with several momentum-building shifts back in the offensive zone. Finally, Stranges got the one and only Stars goal of the game. After a quick battle on the boards, the puck leaked out to Stranges in the slot. He made a quick 180-degree pirouette and rifled a wicked wrister into the top corner.
“I feel good. [I feel] confident with the puck. A lot of areas that I wasn't comfortable in the last couple of years,” Stranges said. “You know, my linemates and I are connecting very well. [Kole Lind] and [Justin Hryckowian], they're dogs when it comes to getting the puck and getting on the forecheck. And you know, we're really finding each other.”
The Hogs responded, though, and outshot the Stars 8-4 for the remainder of the period. That time included a Stars power play that was quite easily neutralized by the 8th-ranked IceHogs penalty kill. The Stars had six shots on the power play but could not break through Commesso.
Texas made a strong push in the third period, including a little over three minutes of power play time, and outshot the Hogs 9-3. However, the Stars were unable to find the equalizer, even with the goalie pulled, and ended up dropping their second game in a row to the IceHogs and third in their last four.
Texas will play the IceHogs again on Saturday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Tonight's Lines Stranges - Hryckowian - Lind Wheatcroft - Hyry - Blümel Pettersen - Hughes - McKenzie Romano - Seminoff - McDonald Capobianco - Petrovic Bichsel - Kyrou Karow - Krys Poirier Injuries, scratches and notes White, Arcuri, Becker, Looft (scratch)
Kyle Looft skated in warmups.
Tonight’s attendance was 6,778, Texas’ second sellout of the year.
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