Texas jumps back into win column, ends three-game skid to Ontario

 

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Since returning to the Lone Star State following their very successful Midwest roadtrip, the Texas Stars have struggled to close out their last three games.

Both Coachella Valley and the Ontario Reign were able to rally in the final period to top the Stars. Last night, the Reign were able to score two goals in the final 15 seconds of the game to stun the Stars.

Tonight proved to be a different story. The Stars held one of the best scoring offenses in the league to just 20 shots on goal, a season low for Ontario. But also managed to close out the night and importantly it’s lead in the final period — and even grew it with a late empty netter.

Texas topped the Reign, 3-1, Sunday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, ending its three-game slide in the standings.

“I think last night, in the third, we definitely were a little bit on our heels,” Cameron Hughes said. “But today we were much better tracking, staying above them, making them go through all five of us. So I think that definitely helped.”

Ontario pulled goaltender Pheonix Copley with under three minutes left in the final period for the extra attacker. For a minute, the Stars were on its heels in its own zone defending the net with the man disadvantage facing them.

The Stars' defense was able to hold off the Reign's final push, eventually getting the puck to the neutral zone, and allowed Cross Hanas to fire the empty net goal to certify the victory.

“I thought we did a good job responding. We went to the video and learned and tried to make teaching points from last night's game,” head coach Toby Petersen said. “My heart was maybe a little elevated, but nothing, nothing crazy. I try to stay calm back there because it can be contagious if you don't.

In an overall lukewarm offensive performance for the Stars, firing just 15 shots on goal the entire night, Texas was able to take control of the game and maintain it on its first power play opportunity.

On the power play, Cameron Hughes collected the puck near the right faceoff circle from Trey Taylor, sailing in front of Copley’s net and firing a backhanded shot into the net for the goal.

Following the goal, there was a brief discussion by the officials for an apparent high-sticking penalty on Hughes. If called, the penalty would’ve taken the goal back, but with the limited camera angles in the AHL, there was not enough substantial evidence to reverse the decision.

After the confirmation, Copley skated to the neutral zone, where the officials were to give them an earful to no avail.

“It was a good goal,” Hughes said, laughing about it being a high stick. “It was close. I think he made the call he saw… we were due for one of those, with some of the bounces we've had this year.”

Texas opened up scoring on a 4-2 rush in the first period, with Luke Krys connecting with Artem Shlaine from across the ice to put the Stars up by one early in the first period.

Ontario scored its only goal of the night in the opening period on its first of three power plays. Reign forward Martin Chromiak punched in Cole Guttman’s shot from the point for the goal to tie the game up at one.

The Stars will face the Iowa Wild at the Casey Center in Des Moines, Iowa, at 7:00 PM CT on Tuesday.

Tonight's Lines 

Hughes-Shlaine-Seminoff

Stranges-Scott-Lind

Hanas-Becker-Lind

Martino-Chisholm-McKenzie

Taylor-Krys

Bertucci-Karow

Punnett-Bergsland 

Tiefensee

Injuries, scratches and notes

Hreshuck, Ertel, Looft (scratches) 

White, Hyry, Wheatcroft, Tuomaala, Looft (injured)

Tonight's attendance was 6778 (Sellout) 

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Ontario - January 18, 2026