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| (Credit: Andy Nietupski/ Texas Stars) |
It has been a struggle all season for the Texas Stars' special teams, especially its power play unit. Texas ended the regular season ranked No. 30 out of 32 and was never the bright spot on this team.
But as the playoffs have been ushered in, regular-season success and woes have been thrown out the window.
The Stars' first power play opportunity of the night came in the final period, and against the No. 6 best penalty kill unit in the league, somehow the right play was drawn up for forward Artem Shlaine to break the two period scoreless stalemate.
Shlaine netted the game's second goal of the night late in the final period, firing an empty net goal for his first two points of his first playoff series, as he was a black ace last season.
Shlaine’s two goals and the dominant play of goaltender Remi Poirier notched the Stars' first playoff win, 2-0 over the Chicago Wolves Tuesday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
“Getting the first one, that's all we were focused on, and we got it done going up one,” Shlaine said. “Definitely puts pressure on another team, but also it's pressure on us to focus on Thursday and get game two.”
It was a really slow night for both teams, slugging it out for the game’s first two frames. While both the Wolves and Stars' defenses were playing superbly in front of outstanding goaltending, the offenses left a lot to be desired.
Unlike their eight games in the regular season, Chicago adjusted its forecheck, playing a much more aggressive style tonight, attempting to suffocate Texas. The Stars were able to manage the Wolves' forecheck well, with minimal turnovers throughout the night.
In an otherwise lifeless game, Texas forward Cross Hanas was able to get in front of a Wolves pass, intercepting it and skated down to Cayden Primeau’s net for a one-on-one opportunity. The Wolves received some puck luck as Hanas’ backhanded shot pinged off the post, keeping the night scoreless.
“Stick with it. Don't get frustrated. We've had some really good chances,” head coach Toby Petersen said about his locker room in the second intermission. “The goaltender made some big saves. We had a pipe there on the breakaway with Hanas, so the message was simply, don't get frustrated.”
Despite a relatively clean game by the Wolves penalty-wise, everything started to unravel in the final period. Just one minute into the third, Wolves forward Noel Gunler was called for a slash that set up Texas' first extra man opportunity and Shlaine’s game-winning goal.
Texas would have two more power plays to close out the night, but none would produce the same success.
The Stars' defense was able to limit the Wolves' offense to just 16 shots on goal, its lowest shot total of the season so far. Texas was anchored by Remi Poirier, who earned the third playoff shutout of his career.
“We had a good 10-day break, but also a lot of practices to focus on their key players and just focus on their team,” Shlaine said. “We stuck to our structure and eliminated some of their grade-A chances. And obviously [Remi Poirier] gives us a chance to win every night.”
Texas will play game two of the series against Chicago Thursday night at 7 PM CT at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Tonight's Lines
Stranges-Becker-Lind
Fitzgerald-Scott-Hryckowian
Hanas-Rickwood-McKenzie
Taylor-Krys
Anderson-Kolyachonok
Bertucci-Karow
Poirier
Wheatcroft, Tuomaala (injured, out for season)
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