(Credit: Mark Newman and Nicolas Carrillo/Grand Rapids Griffins)
Sometimes, all it takes is being there at the right place and at the right time.
Texas Stars forward Kole Lind lived up to that saying, capturing his third career hat trick and putting the Stars back into the win column for the first time since March, taking a 4-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Saturday night.
With the season coming to a close, the Stars had their roughest stretch of the season, dropping five consecutive games, all coming from division rivals. Texas has faced some solid goaltending by their division opponents recently, with tonight being nothing different.
Griffins netminder Sebastian Cossa was formidable between the pipes in the loss, allowing only a pair of goals while making 34 saves. He was the biggest problem for Texas in their quest to snap their longest losing streak of the season.
Texas Stars forward Kole Lind lived up to that saying, capturing his third career hat trick and putting the Stars back into the win column for the first time since March, taking a 4-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Saturday night.
With the season coming to a close, the Stars had their roughest stretch of the season, dropping five consecutive games, all coming from division rivals. Texas has faced some solid goaltending by their division opponents recently, with tonight being nothing different.
Griffins netminder Sebastian Cossa was formidable between the pipes in the loss, allowing only a pair of goals while making 34 saves. He was the biggest problem for Texas in their quest to snap their longest losing streak of the season.
Despite the goaltender’s play, Lind was able to capitalize on his chances, something he has struggled with recently. Early on it was apparent Lind was looking to etch his name into the scoresheet, nearly capturing his first goal on his first shot of the night.
After halting his first shot, Cossa could not repeat on the second. The puck found its way to the blueline as Emilio Pettersen connected with Micheal Karow, who lasered the puck down the center of the ice. Lind, still lurking near the crease, chipped Karow’s puck for the early score to bring the Stars up by one.
Texas struggled to figure out Cossa in the middle period before letting up a goal late, tying the game up at 1-1. Then Lind took matters into his own hands. Taking control of the puck, Pettersen found Lind wide open in the middle of the ice, dumping the puck his way, and Lind was left all alone.
On the one-on-one opportunity, Lind found the back of the net for the second time, cashing in on the top right corner to retake the lead for Texas early in the third. Grand Rapids could not make any worthwhile offensive production all game, with their shot total shrinking every period.
After halting his first shot, Cossa could not repeat on the second. The puck found its way to the blueline as Emilio Pettersen connected with Micheal Karow, who lasered the puck down the center of the ice. Lind, still lurking near the crease, chipped Karow’s puck for the early score to bring the Stars up by one.
Texas struggled to figure out Cossa in the middle period before letting up a goal late, tying the game up at 1-1. Then Lind took matters into his own hands. Taking control of the puck, Pettersen found Lind wide open in the middle of the ice, dumping the puck his way, and Lind was left all alone.
On the one-on-one opportunity, Lind found the back of the net for the second time, cashing in on the top right corner to retake the lead for Texas early in the third. Grand Rapids could not make any worthwhile offensive production all game, with their shot total shrinking every period.
Despite having two back-to-back power play chances to open the third, the Griffins were only able to muster four shots the entire frame. Grand Rapids pulled Cossa for the extra man in an attempt to equalize the game and force overtime, but Texas made sure to seal the deal with a pair of empty netters.
Winning the faceoff, Blümel took control of the puck and sailed down the board looking for a goal of his own. Getting mobbed by two Griffins, Blümel was forced to dish it to Lind, who was left uncovered for his third goal of the night.
Blümel was not left off the scoresheet, scoring his 39th of the season on the empty net as Karow got his third assist of the night to officially end the Stars' longest losing streak of the year.
Texas will conclude its three-on-three weekend against the Chicago Wolves tomorrow at 3 PM at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
Stranges (upper-body injury)
McDonald (lower-body injury)
Petrovic (call up)
McKenzie (family)
Winning the faceoff, Blümel took control of the puck and sailed down the board looking for a goal of his own. Getting mobbed by two Griffins, Blümel was forced to dish it to Lind, who was left uncovered for his third goal of the night.
Blümel was not left off the scoresheet, scoring his 39th of the season on the empty net as Karow got his third assist of the night to officially end the Stars' longest losing streak of the year.
Texas will conclude its three-on-three weekend against the Chicago Wolves tomorrow at 3 PM at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
Tonight's lines
Hughes-Hryckowian-Blümel
Pettersen-Hyry-Lind
Wheatcroft-Scott-Romano
Shlaine-Becker-Seminoff
Capobianco-White
Taylor-Karow
Looft-Krys
Poirier
Injuries, scratches and notes
Bergsland, Chisholm, Ertel, Kyrou, Martino (scratch)Stranges (upper-body injury)
McDonald (lower-body injury)
Petrovic (call up)
McKenzie (family)
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