Stars Slay the Demon, Defeat Admirals 3-2 to Advance to Western Conference Finals

(Credit: Milwaukee Admirals)

For the third consecutive year, the Stars and Admirals would need five games to settle the series with Milwaukee having won the previous two years. To go even further back, the last time the Stars won a "winner take all" game was in the 2014 season when the Stars defeated the Toronto Marlies in the Western Conference Finals and eventually went on to win the Calder Cup that year. 

You could say the Stars were looking to return the favor and exact some revenge on their Central Division foe and send them packing for a early summer break.  Knowing what was at stake, Texas' best players shined bright, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 in front of a raucous crowd at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Leading the way for the Stars were Curtis McKenzie (1G,1A), Matěj Blümel (1 G), Justin Hryckowian (game-winner) and Remi Poirier (22 saves).  

The first period began with both teams playing fast, physical hockey. Each team emphasizing short shifts not wanting to be caught with tired legs. However, just over five minutes into the game Michael Karow made a great play keeping the puck in the offensive zone and sent a pass to McKenzie who redirected it past Admiral netminder Matt Murray to put the victors up 1-0. 

Prior to the game, Texas head coach Neil Graham told broadcaster John Peterson, "Both teams have played a stingy defensive style, but I'll also say it's important for us to play the game fast. And I think there were things that we talked about on the off day, and there were some areas that we can continue to probably drive some plays more in their direction. And one of our strengths is our offensive game, and we have to make sure we play to our identity."

Midway through the first frame, the home team found a equalizer when Chase De Leo took advantage of a power play and scored with just six seconds remaining on the man advantage. Both teams would continue with the physical play as each team would "dump and chase" with every check being finished with enthusiasm. The period would end with the score tied at one goal a piece and each tallying eight shots on net.

After killing off a carry-over Milwaukee power play for almost two minutes, the home team went up 2-1 when Fedor Svechkov beat Poirier blocker side on a breakout play that saw him go one on one with the Stars netminder. Though outshooting Milwaukee 12-9 in the period, Texas would go to the third period trailing by one goal.

In desperate need of a goal, the Stars found it just over a minute into the period when McKenzie sent a pass to Blümel in the left circle who sent a wrist shot past Murray's blocker side to the tie the game. The AHL regular season goal scoring leader proved it was no fluke and came through when the team needed him the most.

With just over five minutes left in regulation, Texas put their speed on display and swarmed the offensive zone. The pressure proved to be too much for the home team as a deflected Cameron Hughes shot rebounded off of Murray to a waiting Justin Hryckowian just inside the right circle who fired the puck into the back of the net to put the Stars up 3-2 with the eventual game winning goal. 

The Stars await the outcome of the Abbotsford Canucks / Colorado Eagles series that concludes Monday, May 26th. Texas will face the winner in the Western Conference Finals with the Pacific Division winner holding home ice advantage. The Stars' home games will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week.

Tonight’s lines

McKenzie-Hryckowian-Lind
Blümel-Hyry-Hughes
Pettersen-Becker-Stranges
Seminoff-Scott-Ertel

Capobianco-Krys
Taylor-Karow
Looft-White

Poirier

Injuries, scratches and notes
Bergsland, Wheatcroft, Thomson, Chisholm, Terness, Romano, Bertucci, Arcuri, Kyrou, Martino, Punnett, Shlaine, Hemming (scratch)
McDonald (out for season)

Tonight’s attendance was 6,077.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Milwaukee - May 25th 2025