Cross Hanas leads Texas Stars past Chicago Wolves in Comeback Victory

(Credit: Texas Stars/Andy Nietupski)

Down by two goals, and a big fat zero next to the Texas Stars logo has been a common occurrence for this edition of the Stars. But time and time again, Texas manages to find a way in the win column by the final horn.

The Stars rallied from a two-goal deficit and just six shots on net to sweep the Chicago Wolves in their midweek games and go 3-1 during their four-game home stand, with a 5-4 victory Wednesday night at the HEB Center at Cedar Park.

“Halfway through the second period, I think we just started winning some battles, playing more physical,” Cross Hanas said. “We knew that they were in their third game in four nights with a travel day. So we're kind of in on that, trying to turn them over there at the end.”

Stealing Stars head coach Toby Petersen’s favorite analogy of poor play, Texas was taking in “a lot of water” in the game's first thirty minutes, firing a measly six shots on Wolves goaltender Amir Miftakhov while Arno Tifensee was being shelled on his end.

Tiefensse was able to hold his own for most of the night, especially during the tough showing by his front six in the first half of the game, but a poor turnover by Texas in the neutral zone led to Chicago scoring its second goal on the night.

“We've had Remi [Poirier] do that several times throughout the year, and Arno did it tonight, really held us in there,” Petersen said. “Things were a little tough for us, so it was great to see the way he played tonight.”

Something had to break for the Stars offensively, or this game was going to get ugly fast. With all of the young skaters struggling, it was up to the old man, Stars captain Curtis McKenzie, to take matters into his own hands on the next shift.

McKenzie gave juice to a sleepy Stars team, stuffing the puck in Miftakhov’s six hole for the first of three Texas goals scored in the middle frame.

“That was the turning point,” Petersen said about the McKenzie goal. “We were sleepy to start. They played a great game to start — they were all over us. We were having trouble getting possession of the puck and maintaining possession.”

Harrison Scott picked up two points against Chicago, a helper on McKenzie's momentum-shifting goal and one of his own, tying the game up at two apiece.

Texas native, Cross Hanas, gave the Stars the lead late in the second period, connecting with a pass from Kole Lind on a rush. Hanas caught Miftakhov falling and found a wide-open net to take the lead with a little over two minutes left in the period.

Despite a comfortable lead, the Wolves were not letting up so easily. Wolves defenseman Charles Alexis-Legualt made it a one-point game off a deep wrist shot from the point. Hanas was able to put Texas back up by two on the power play with the help of Jack Becker tossing Hanas the puck in the high slot for the goal.

“[Becker] made a great play, getting low with the puck,” Hanas said. “Seas parted, called for it, and the shot went in.”

Wolves forward Josiah Smith picked up his second goal of the game when Chicago pulled Miftakhov for the 6-on-5 late in the game. The Stars held to their victory despite a strong push by the Wolves in the final minute.

Stars forward Kaleb Pearson, making his third appearance in the AHL, was able to get in on the offensive explosion, opening up the third period with his first AHL goal.

Texas will head out on its longest road trip of the season, first starting with the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday at 8 p.m. CT at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada.

Tonight's lines

Hughes-Shlaine-Seminoff 

Hanas-Becker-Lind 

Stranges-Scott-McKenzie 

Martino-Chisholm-Pearson 

Taylor-Krys 

Karow-J. Poirier 

Bertucci-Kolyachonok 

Tiefensee

Injuries, scratches and notes

Hyry (callup)
McDonald, Anderson, Ertel(scratch)
Looft (warm-up)
Wheatcroft, Tuomaala (injured)

Tonight's attendece was 5,951

AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Chicago - March 18 2026