Texas Stars Lose 6-2 in First Ever Game in Henderson

(Credit: Henderson Silver Knights)

In their first ever game in Lee's Family Forum, the Stars fell to the Henderson Silver Knights 6-2. The Knights were lead by Tanner Laczynski (goal and two assists) and Grigori Denisenko (2 goals). It was only the second victory at home for the Knights this season as Texas is still trying to find its footing away from H-E-B Center. 

It was Teddy Bear Toss in Henderson (6-14), and the home team got off to a fast start when Laczynski deflected a shot past Remi Poirier just 1:01 into the game. After a brief delay in action collecting the teddy bears off the ice, the Stars (11-9) equalized. Matěj Blümel took a pass from linemates Christian Kyrou and Cameron Hughes on a semi-breakway and slid it past Henderson goalie Akira Schmid's stick for his seventh goal of the season. It was hughes' 150 career AHL assist.

Later in the first, Lian Bichsel made a nice defensive play preventing a scoring opportunity for Henderson but was called for an interference penalty as the play continued. To make matters worse, Bichsel left the ice with an apparent injury (Antonio Stranges served the penalty). With one of the best penalty killers off the ice, the home team wasted little time when Denisenko took advantage of a screen in front of Poirier and scored on a power play. The first period ended with a Silver Knight 2-1 lead, doubling up the shot advantage 14-7. 

Bichsel returned to the ice for the start of the second period, but the good news didn't last long. Just over five minutes into the period Brendan Brisson went top shelf and beat Poirier. At the midway point of the period, a Luke Krys turnover led to another goal for Denisenko. It was his second on the night and fifth on the season. Not liking what he was seeing, head coach Neil Graham called a Texas time out. The Stars were unable to score on their only power play of the period and the second period ended with no additional goals being scored. The Knights took a 4-1 lead into the intermission. 

The third period began with a bang. Just 59 seconds in, Arttu Hyry scored on a one-timer while on their second power play of the night. He was assisted by Kyle Capobianco and Antonio Stranges who increased his team point total to 21. In a potentially pivotal moment in the game, Capobianco took a tripping penalty while on the power play, preventing a breakaway for the home team. The officials awarded a penalty shot, and Poirier stood firm and stopped Jakub Brabenec's attempt.

In desperation mode, Texas pulled Poirier with 5:30 left in the period. It didn't take long for Knights to take advantage, scoring two goals within 31 second span to make the score 6-2. Waiving the white flag, Neil Graham put Poirier back in the game.

The Stars look to even the weekend series tomorrow night at 7pm.

Tonight’s Lines
Stranges-Hryckowian-Lind
Hughes-Hyry-Blümel
Pettersen-Seminoff-McKenzie
Wheatcroft-Becker-Romano

Capobianco-Petrovic
Bichsel-Krys
Karow-Kyrou

Poirier

Injuries, scratches and notes

White, Looft, McDonald, Arcuri (scratch)

Tonight’s attendance was 4,283.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Henderson - December 7 2024