Lind’s game misconduct gives IceHogs’ late surge to top Stars in OT

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

If it were not for the new-age CCM sweaters or the lack of cotton socks on the ice, one could’ve sworn that this was what hockey of the 1980s was like.

In a penalty-filled night, with three fights and constant hits that rang out throughout the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, one penalty stood out above the rest — Texas Stars forward Kole Lind’s spearing major at the end of the second period.

The Lind penalty served as the perfect silver platter for the Rockford IceHogs to build some much-needed momentum heading into the final period.

Rockford, a team that looked lifeless on offense for the first 40 minutes of the game, marched back from a two-goal deficit. The IceHogs scored three goals in the third, all coming from their special teams. Rockford capped the late-game surge in overtime, topping the Stars, 4-3, Friday night.

“We want to protect those leads when we're up a couple goals going into the third,” Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie said, adding – “[We’re] throwing a lot of games away this year, so it's frustrating on that end.”

Before Lind was able to return to the ice for the final period, a referee stopped the Star on the ice, gesturing for him to return to his locker room.

Lind’s night against the IceHogs was over — he left the game with a game misconduct that comes with an automatic $200 fine, and a further review by the league for disciplinary action.

“We had a good feel for the way we were playing, and I think we liked the spot we were in, and then that put us behind the eight ball,” head coach Toby Petersen said. “It makes it tough to keep momentum going into the start of the third period with that penalty.”

Rockford forward Nick Lardis was hot to open the third, scoring a pair of deep power play goals to tie the game up at 2-2. Lardis' second goal of the night came just eight seconds after Stars’ defensemen Connor Punnett was called for chipping the puck out of play for a Delay of Game penalty.

Texas continued to experience its struggles on special teams — going 0-4 on the power play. The Stars' last opportunity surrendered a shorthanded goal, giving the IceHogs the lead with under two minutes left in regulation.

“It wasn’t good enough (special teams),” Petersen said. “It was a point of emphasis for us was winning the special teams battle tonight, knowing that we're a good five-on-five team.”

Stars’ forward Arttu Hyry tied the game up 30 seconds later, when Poirier was pulled for the extra attacker. IceHogs forward Aidan Thompson scored the game winner, beating Texas goaltender Remi Poirier with a quick chip-in.

“There's a lot more fight in our room tonight than I would say we've seen in other games,” McKenzie said. “Probably not the best execution on a lot of stuff. But you want to take the positives out of it for tomorrow.”

Texas will return to the ice against Rockford tomorrow at 7 PM at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas.

Tonight's lines

Hanas-Hyry-Tuomaala
Hughes-Shlaine-Lind
Stranges-Scott-Seminoff
Ertel-Becker-McKenzie

Taylor-White
Bertucci-Karow
Punnett-Bergsland

Poirier

Injuries, scratches and notes
Capobianco, Kolyachonok (callup)
Martino, Chisholm (scratch)
Looft (upper-body injury)

Tonight's attendance was 5693


AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Rockford - November 21 2025