Stars Falter on Special Teams, Fall 5-1 to Colorado for Winless Weekend

(Credit: Colorado Eagles)

The Texas Stars entered Blue Arena Saturday night hoping to salvage a weekend split but quickly found themselves down early on their way to a 5-1 loss against the Colorado Eagles. Idaho Steelheads callup Ben Kraws made his season debut in net, making 26 saves on 30 shots.

Despite entering the weekend with special teams as an early strength so far this season, the Stars surrendered two power play goals and a shorthanded marker in the loss. The penalty kill especially had been humming at a 91.1% clip, but the Stars looked a step behind the play all night outside of even-strength. Though Kraws battled all night, making some excellent odd-man rush saves, it ultimately was asking too much of the rookie netminder and the PK unit in front of him. Whether it was the altitude, or the 5,089 cowbell wielding fans in the building, the Stars just could not find any traction in the game.

The Eagles struck first while on the power play at 14:25 of the first period. Texas had two chances to clear the puck from the point but twice failed to get it past their blue line, forcing Kraws to make his first big save of the night when he stayed square on a shot from the slot. Despite the strong first save, Colorado was able to cycle the puck around where they eventually found Calle Rosen open for a one-timer from the right circle. Though Kraws had pushed across the crease to meet the shot, Rosen’s effort went low and beat Kraws between the pads to put the Eagles up first.

A little more than two minutes later the Stars earned a power play opportunity and a chance to answer, but again, lack of execution led to Texas fishing the puck out of the back of their net. A defensive zone faceoff win by the Eagles found Colorado rookie Chase Bradley open and with plenty of space in front of him as he made a shorthanded rush down the right wing side of the ice ultimately firing the puck past Kraws to make it 2-0 unassisted.

The Stars entered the second period looking like they were ready to answer back in a big way, carrying the majority of play and peppering Colorado goaltender Trent Miner. Despite sputtering on special teams, the Stars were in firm control at 5-on-5 and were rewarded when Matěj Blümel put Texas on the board at 1:49 of the second period. Emilio Pettersen forced the issue while on the forecheck, forcing a turnover behind the net where he found a charging Blümel in the slot who wasted no time making it 2-1.

It looked as if the momentum was on the Stars’ side as they found themselves on the power play midway through the second period. They were able to cycle the puck with some intention, but nothing broke through, and the Stars quickly found themselves back on the PK when Kole Lind sat for crosschecking after having to react quickly to snuff out a shorthanded 2-on-1 rush.

Colorado quickly made them pay again when Matthew Philips beat Kraws glove side to restore the Eagles’ two-goal advantage.

Jacob MacDonald made it 4-1 a little over three minutes into the third period, essentially putting the game out of reach for the Stars. The Eagles’ first line pinned the Stars in their own zone for an extended spell where they ultimately found MacDonald open for a one-timer from the circle that Kraws was late to come across and meet. Colorado added an empty goal (Bradley’s second of the night) to put a bow on the night for the Eagles and send the Stars back home to Cedar Park with a humbling weekend sweep.

Tonight's Lines
McKenzie-Hughes-Lind
Pettersen-Hyry-Blümel
Stranges-Hryckowian-Wheatcroft
Arcuri-Seminoff-Becker

Looft-Petrovic
Karow-Kyrou
White-Bichsel

Kraws

Injuries, scratches and notes
McDonald, Romano (scratch)
Capobianco (callup), Hellberg (callup)

Tonight's attendance was 5,089.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Colorado - November 2 2024