Texas Stars Fall to Iowa Wild 4-1 in Penultimate Game of 2025

(Credit: Iowa Wild)

The Iowa Wild once again proved to be the Texas Stars’ nemesis this season as they pushed their way to a 4-1 victory Tuesday night at Casey’s Center. 

The Wild cashed in twice off some costly Texas penalties while rookie goaltender Riley Mercer stopped 28 of Texas’ 29 shots to earn their fourth victory in four games against the Stars, who are only three points above Iowa for last place in the Central Division. 

Artem Shlaine scored his ninth goal of the season in the second period to take over the team lead in goals. Nathan Bastian, on loan to the Stars from Dallas for a conditioning stint, scored the secondary assist on Shlaine’s goal. The point extended Bastian’s AHL points streak to five games, his last tally coming as a member of the Binghamton Devils against the Rochester Americans on March 11, 2020. 

The Stars started the night pushing play in the Iowa zone with Bastian making several great reads in the Iowa zone to intercept some clearing pass attempts and creating several chances for the Stars. Mercer, playing in his third AHL game, was able to withstand the pressure and keep the game scoreless going into the second period. 

Iowa broke the deadlock 8:15 into the second period after a slashing penalty by Justin Ertel put the Wild on the power play. After some extended zone time, Gerry Mayhew was able to cash in on a rebound from a point shot to make it 1-0. 

They would add to their lead early in the third period when Bradley Marek found open space in the slot and picked a corner on Stars goaltender Arno Tiefensee to make it 2-0. 

Texas would answer back with their own power play goal at 4:45 of the third period when Shlaine was able to pick out a rebound off of a Bastian shot from the slot making it 2-1. 

The comeback effort was quickly snuffed out, though, when Ryan Sandelin made it 3-1. He would later add an empty netter to seal the 4-1 win for the Wild.

Texas will get the chance to close out the year with a win when they return for a rematch with the Wild Wednesday night at 5 PM. 

Tonight's lines 
Hughes-Seminoff-Bastian
Hanas-Shlaine-Lind
Stranges-Scott-McKenzie
Ertel-Chisholm-Becker

Taylor-Bergsland
Bertucci-Karow
Looft-Punnett

Tiefensee  

Injuries, scratches, and notes 
White, McDonald, Martino, Wheatcroft, Hreschuk (scratch)
Tuomaala, Hyry (injury)

Tonight's attendance was 7,967.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at Iowa - December 30 2025