Lineup Changes Spark Texas to 3-2 Shootout Win Over Rockford

(Credit: Rockford IceHogs)

Texas, having lost two straight including a 3–1 defeat the night before in Milwaukee to open a three-game road trip, needed jolt offensively. Entering the game against Rockford, the Stars sat last in the league in scoring, with just 22 goals through 11 games. With goals at a premium, head coach Toby Petersen shuffled his lines in search of a spark, moving Samu Tuomaala and Cross Hanas to the top line.

The changes had the desired effect. As Texas outshot Rockford 34-23, including a 11-3 mark in the third period. This paved the way for Tuomaala's equalizer with just over two minutes remaining in regulation and eventually getting all two points in the shootout win. 

Unlike the previous night, the Stars found themselves down early. Capitalizing on a rebound left by Remi Poirier, Rockford's Joey Anderson notched his third goal of the year to put the home side up 1–0 just over three minutes into the contest.

Looking to tie the game, the visitors earned three power-play opportunities in the opening period but were unable to cash in and trailed 1–0 despite outshooting the IceHogs 12–9.

Prior to the game, Texas Stars play by play voice John Peterson asked Texas head coach Toby Petersen about the unique difficulties of getting the power play producing at the AHL level.

"There's always going to be some guys in and out of the lineup. That is absolutely the nature of the beast in the American Hockey League, you're going to get call ups, some injuries and you know the injuries in Dallas affect the call ups. That's the same for every team the league."

Things didn’t start any better in the second period. Just 15 seconds in, Aidan Thompson capitalized on a Stars turnover and beat Poirier glove-side to put the home team up 2–0.

Texas responded less than two minutes later, as Matthew Seminoff cut the lead in half with his third goal of the year. Working from the right circle, Seminoff buried a shot past IceHogs goalie Drew Commesso after a scramble in front left the netminder out of position and unable to square up to the puck. 

Though trailing 2-1 at the end of the period, Texas continued to maintain a shot advantage of 21-18. 

Early in the third period, Stars forward Kole Lind was called for tripping. Needing to keep the game close, Texas’ penalty kill came up big, preventing the IceHogs from extending their lead, including a gritty sequence in which Harrison Scott played the final 45 seconds without a stick and still managed a key shot block.

The final period saw increased pressure from the visitors as they swarmed Commesso. Tuomaala generated two excellent scoring chances with just over six minutes remaining, but the IceHogs netminder stood tall, turning away both attempts to keep Rockford in front.

Texas’ pressure finally paid off when they pulled Poirier for an extra skater with 2:42 remaining and were rewarded almost immediately. Trey Taylor fed Tuomaala in the left circle, and this time he didn’t miss, beating Commesso to tie the game 2–2. The period ended with no further scoring.

In overtime, the Stars’ best chance came when Arttu Hyry attempted to slip the puck past a sprawled-out Commesso with 12 seconds left, but he couldn’t lift it over the netminder.

The shootout ended with the Stars collecting both points on the road, as Cameron Hughes scored and Poirier stopped all attempts he faced.

Next up, the Stars finish the three-game road trip in Des Moines, Iowa, against the Wild on Tuesday night at 7 PM.

Tonight’s lines
Tuomaala-Hyry-Hanas
Hughes-Shlaine-Lind
Martino-Scott-Seminoff
Ertel-Chisholm-McKenzie

Bertucci-Kolyachonok

Taylor-Bergsland
Karow-White

Poirier

Injuries, scratches and notes
Stranges, Looft, Becker (scratch)

Krys, McDonald, Wheatcroft (injury)

Tonight’s attendance was 3,435.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Rockford - November 16 2025