Magnus Hellberg’s Stellar Play Lifts Stars to 4-2 Victory

(Credit: Henderson Silver Knights)

Texas, coming off a disappointing result the previous night, looked to complete a season-long six game road trip on a high note with a victory at Lee's Family Forum. The Stars did just that, defeating Henderson 4-2 in front of 3,243 fans. Behind a stellar performance from Magnus Hellberg and momentum changing scrum from their captain, the Stars finished the long road trip with a 3-3 record. It was their final road game against a Pacific Division team this regular season. 

The first period got off to a rough start when Kyle McDonald was called for a high sticking penalty just over two minutes into game. Thanks to a huge save from Hellberg, the Stars kept the Knights off the scoreboard. The home team dominated possession though, outshooting the Stars 10-1 midway through the period. Hellberg kept the Stars (12-9) in the game, but finally cracked when Dysin Mayo scored just under Hellberg's arm just two seconds after the Knights power play ended at the 17:39 mark of the period. Giving up three power plays during the period, the away team played most of the period in their own zone. The frame ended with Texas down 1-0 and being outshot 15-7.

The undisciplined play continued when just under three minutes into the second Jack Becker was called for high sticking. It was the fourth penalty on Texas just over one period into game. But just as before, Hellberg made several outstanding saves including keeping a stick side shot out of the net, hearing it glance off the post. 

The Stars' fortunes quickly changed when a scrum between Curtis McKenzie and Christoffer Sedoff resulted in a Stars power play. Just eight seconds later, McKenzie equalized for the away side going top shelf on the backhand shot in front of Henderson goalie Carl Lindbom. He was assisted by Antonio Stranges and Kyle Capobianco. It was Capobianco's sixth assist in five games.

With the Stars now gaining confidence, Matěj Blümel found a pass from Cameron Hughes from the left side boards and fired a shot over the right shoulder of Lindbom just 29 seconds later. Justin Hryckowian was also credited with his 14th assist on the season on the play.

Now with momentum clearly with the Stars, the home team started playing undisciplined hockey. Brendan Brisson took a roughing penalty near the end of the period. Texas wasted little time adding another goal when Hughes took advantage of a Lindbom rebound, scoring his seventh goal of the season to make it 3-1. Kyle Capobianco and Antonio Stranges were credited with assists. 

Texas closed out the second period scoring three times within a 3:08 span.

The third period began with a Capobianco delay of game penalty one minute into the period. But, the Stars were able to kill off penalty and stay up 3-1. The rest of the period saw Texas control most of the action until Hryckowian took a double minor penalty for high sticking with 4:13 left in the third. Henderson (6-15) quickly scored when Grigori Denisenko beat Hellberg to cut the lead to 3-2. With two minutes still remaining on the double minor penalty, Hellberg stood firm and stopped the home team from equalizing. 

Arttu Hyry finished the game off when an empty net goal with ten seconds remaining for his 8th goal of the season and capping a 4-2 victory. Texas returns home for the first time since November 23rd this Friday against Chicago.

Tonight’s Lines
Stranges-Hryckowian-Lind

Hughes-Hyry-Blümel
Wheatcroft-Pettersen-McKenzie
Becker-Seminoff-McDonald

Capobianco-Looft
Bichsel-Petrovic
Karow-Kyrou

Hellberg

Injuries, scratches and notes
Krys, White, Arcuri, Romano (scratch)

Tonight’s attendance was 3,243.

AHL Gamesheet Texas at Henderson- December 8 2024