Stars Dominate Admirals As Magnus Hellberg Earns 4-0 Shutout

(Credit: Brianna Nevins)

In a first ever matchup of two goaltenders named Magnus in professional hockey league history, it was the former Nashville Predators second round draft pick Magnus Hellberg that ultimately won the game for the Stars. Playing against his former AHL team, Hellberg stopped 17 shots earning first star of the game honors and improved his record to 11-4-1 as a starter. 

The Stars (14-11-1-0) and the Admirals (13-8-1-3) looked to be heading for a goalless first period with just over one minute remaining. But that all changed quickly when Jack Becker scored his third goal of the season on a deflection with assists from Luke Krys and Kyle Capobianco. 

But the away team wanted more. Just as the period was ending Matěj Blümel sent a shot toward Milwaukee goalie Magnus Chrona from just inside the blue line and scored with just :04 on the clock. The Admirals netminder never saw the shot as his field of vision was blocked by two defenders. It was Blümel's team-leading 12th goal of the season and assisted by linemate Cameron Hughes. With it, Texas was up 2-0 after the first period. 

In a pivotal moment in the game, Kieffer Bellows had a breakaway opportunity with 13:33 left in second period. Yet Hellberg was equal to the task and denied the left winger a golden scoring opportunity.

Texas looked very dangerous on the night and forced a Milwaukee turnover in front of their own net. Curtis McKenzie took advantage of the miscue and sent a pass to a streaking Justin Hryckowian, who went top shelf for his 10th goal of the season. Still fresh off his recent Dallas Stars callup, it was his fifth goal in his last five games. Texas finished the second period up 3-0 with a 13-12 shot advantage. 

Overall, the Stars looked to be the faster team on the night. After six minutes in the third, Blümel continued his stellar play by quickly skating between several Admiral defenders and finding enough space between the circles to unleash a wicked wrist shot that went top shelf for his second goal on the night and 13th on the year. Hughes was credited with his second assist of the game. 

The Stars were the superior team on the night, outshooting Milwaukee 25-17 and ending the game with a shutout. Texas visits the Grand Rapids Griffins Sunday December 22, 2024 at 3PM.

Tonight’s lines
Hughes-Hyry-Blümel
Stranges-Hryckowian-Wheatcroft
Pettersen-McKenzie-Lind
Seminoff-Becker-McDonald

Capobianco-Krys
Petrovic-Kyrou
Karow-White

Hellberg

Injuries, scratches and notes
Bichsel (callup)
Ertel, Romano, Looft (scratch)

Tonight’s attendance was 4,876.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Milwaukee - December 21 2024