 |
(Credit: Rockford IceHogs) |
Though much of the state of Texas has been covered in ice and snow, the Texas Stars are red hot. With constant shuffling of lines due to callups and injuries, the main constant has been winning.
Texas has now won seven road games in a row and nine out of their last ten overall after defeating Rockford 6-1. They are now tied for first place with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Central Division. The Stars special teams are spearheading the resurgence by going 28-for-28 on the penalty kill in the last nine games.
The first period felt very much like a playoff game. Rockford was intent on using their team speed to create scoring opportunities, but the Stars played positionally sound hockey and limited the home team chances at odd man rushes. When the IceHogs got shots at the net, Remi Poirier was sharp in between the pipes stopping all 10 shots he faced.
As the period progressed, the physical play increased. Kyle Looft, using all of his 6'4 ft and 210 frame, pancaked a IceHog player trying to gain entry just inside the blue line. Several Rockford players took runs at Looft as a result, but the Stars' player continued to play with force. The period ended in a scoreless tie, but the intensity of the game will carryover to the second period.
The deadlock ended very quickly when Emilio Pettersen took possession of the puck between the circles in front of Poirier and found a streaking Antonio Stranges at the red line. The left winger did not miss his breakaway opportunity and beat Mitchell Weeks for his 13th goal on the season just 55 seconds into the period.
Texas, looking to apply more pressure, caused Rockford defensemen Kevin Korchinski turn the puck over behind his own net. Waiting for the puck and in perfect position was Cameron Hughes, who immediately sent a pass to Kole Lind in front of the net for his ninth goal of the year.
Later in the second period, Hughes scored his 15th goal of the season and fourth in last two games from the top left circle to make it 3-0 for the visiting team. Curtis McKenzie was not credited with an assist, but his presence in front of the net help screen the goaltender.
The home team, showing signs of frustration, tried to change the momentum by challenging the Stars physically. New arrival Matteo Pietroniro hit Anthony Romano up high that looked to be a dangerous play. Sticking up for his teammate, Michael Karow dropped gloves with him and ultimately was called for an instigating misconduct penalty. Romano left for the locker room and did not return.
The Icehogs faced a determined Stars team playing with confidence and swarming to the puck. Justin Hryckowian used his speed to beat Rockford defensemen to the puck on the boards and resulted in a goal for McKenzie, his ninth on the year with just 18 seconds left in period. Stars ended the period up 4-0.
Just over five minutes into the third period, a nice forecheck play by Matthew Seminoff resulted in a Jack Becker goal. Seminoff gained possession of the puck to the right of Weeks along the boards and sent a pass to Chase Wheatcroft, who found Becker for the goal. It was Becker's third goal in three games and extended his point streak to five games.
Texas clearly in control of the game, ended any thoughts of a Rockford comeback when Stranges send McKenzie a pass to the right of the IceHogs goalie and the Stars captain buried it for his second goal on the night and his 200th of his professional career, making it 6-0 with 4:44 left in the game.
The only storyline left in the game was if Poirier could hang on for his second straight shutout. Unfortunately for him and the Stars, Landon Slaggert ended the bid with 3:44 left in the period making it 6-1, the final score.
Next up for the Stars is a Saturday January 18th contest against the Milwaukee Admirals at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park. Puck drop is 7 PM.
Tonight's linesStranges-Hryckowian-Pettersen
Romano-Hughes-Lind
Wheatcroft-Seminoff-McKenzie
Ertel-Becker-McDonald
Bischel-White
Capobianco-Krys
Karow-Looft
Poirier
Scratches, injuries and notes
Hyry, Blümel (callup)
Petrovic (upper body injury)
Tonight’s attendance was 5,201.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for commenting. Remember to keep it civil. Using a name will help us identify replies and build a Texas Stars community.