Game 1 From the Cheap Seats: Fan Perspective On Friday's Win

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

[Ed. Note: Isaac had a chance to watch the game on Friday from the seats, so we're putting up a recap of Game 1 from the perspective in the bowl ahead of Game 2 tonight.]

Austin local Tony Slann showed pride in his team Friday night with his Texas Stars cap and joined friends Joe Martin and Bob “Hockey Bob” Gallant as all were decked out in hockey jerseys for the game.

“I'm a happy camper,” Slann said as Hockey Bob and Martin shared his excitement and felt proud of what their team accomplished here at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

Matthew Seminoff scored the first goal of the night early in the first period with an impressive display of concentration as he finished with three Admirals in front of the net on a tip-in to the bottom corner. The night's first power play opportunity was awarded to Milwaukee and the Admirals took full advantage with forward Cal O’Reilly’s finish in under 10 seconds to tie the game up at 1-1.

The tension between the two squads was apparent in the first period as five total penalties were called with three of them given to the Admirals within a two-minute span.

The fans were frustrated that the Stars couldn’t capitalize on the 5-on-3 advantage with many around the section shouting “SHOOT THE DANG PUCK!” as they saw a lead-gaining chance slip away.

Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham said it wasn’t from a lack of effort. Two shots went "postal," as Hockey Bob referred to the attempts hitting the pipes, and credited former Stars netminder Matthew Murray with great saves during that stretch.

The three amigos shared a consensus that the Admirals’ Kevin Gravel and Mark Friedman were the main instigators for the away team actively trying to get under the Stars’ skin. Martin spoke about how proud he was of the team to not let that get in their heads, a sentiment shared by Graham.

“We did a good job of that… we kept our composure and didn’t respond,” Graham said. “It’s a long series; we’re gonna have to maintain discipline.”

Texas displayed effective forechecks, and Hryckowian took the lead again as a result in the final seconds after the puck was deflected off the Milwaukee goalie and ended the period on a high note for the fans.

To start the second, forward Kole Lind made a sleek pass to beat an opponent’s stick that glided right to Hryckowian’s feet for an easy fronthand finish past the keeper for his second goal of the night and the only goal of the period. 

Martin, Gallant and Slann jumped from their seats and were giving high fives all around to everyone and anyone willing to accept them.

“Goooooooo, Justin!” exclaimed Martin.

“We need him,” Slann stated. “Every game is important… let him do his thing.”

The final frame brought Hryckowian’s third point of the game with an assist by him and Luke Krys to give Matěj Blümel the final goal scored by the home team as the Stars gained their largest lead of the night (4-1).

Slann and Gallant rejoiced as inevitable victory crept closer and closer until Friedman scored midway through the period that made Slann remind not only himself but the whole arena that “the game isn’t over yet boys.” 

With a sigh of relief from the fans, the game ended with a final score of 4-2 and gave the Stars a great start with a one game lead over their rivals.

The Central Division championship continues on Sunday night at 7 p.m. to keep Texas’ winning streak going, and all three agreed when Slann said “we’re gonna take them down.”