(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)
Closing out the regular season series between the Central Division rivals, for the sixth and final time this season, the Wild bested the Stars in a dominant 4-0 victory on Wednesday night at the HEB Center at Cedar Park.
Similar to how Texas has reigned supreme against the Chicago Wolves, it's all but set in stone playoff opponent, the Wild has been the Stars’ kryptonite, ending the regular season series with a record of 6-1-1.
Fortunately for Texas, it's almost impossible for the two to meet in the playoffs with four games left in the regular season.
“We've got to learn from these games here and get better at the areas that gave us trouble, head coach Toby Petersen said. “That's the bottom line for me,”
Led by Iowa goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, who put together a performance reminiscent of his game against Finland in the Milano Winter Olympics a couple of months ago for Slovakia was unstoppable once again.
Hlavaj went toe-to-toe with anything the Stars threw at him for 60 minutes – nothing encapsulated his night better than the 3 minutes when the Stars were in his zone for one last offensive push with the extra attacker.
Even in the intense environment, nothing was going to deny Hlavaj of the shutout against Texas tonight. The Slovakian goaltender stopped all 30 shots he faced and successfully outduel Stars goaltender Remi Poirier in his own building.
He even picked up two assists on the final two goals of the night.
“Tip of the cap to him. He played a great game,” Petersen said. “We've got to find ways to get him, make it more difficult on him, get to the net —find some tips, and loose pucks.”
Texas forward Antonio Stranges was the only Star to put the puck past Hlavaj, though his backhanded shot in the waning seconds of the middle frame fell short of the buzzer by one second.
Stranges still tossed the puck behind the Iowa netminder despite the blaring of the horn, which caused a major tiff at the end of the period from both sides.
Wild forward Bradley Marek, who went after Stranges after the late shot, was dinged with a roughing penalty. Stranges didn't get off scot free, picking up an unsportsmanlike call for his action as well.
Iowa forward Hunter Haight drew the first goal shortly after the Wild first power play opportunity of the night. Despite heading into the second intermission down by one, everything began to collapse in the final period, with Texas allowing three goals to seal the night for Iowa
“Unfortunately, they struck first,” Petersen said. “It kind of took momentum over, and then it just kept snowballing from there.”
Texas will face the Manitoba Moose for its final regular-season away series this weekend at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“Tip of the cap to him. He played a great game,” Petersen said. “We've got to find ways to get him, make it more difficult on him, get to the net —find some tips, and loose pucks.”
Texas forward Antonio Stranges was the only Star to put the puck past Hlavaj, though his backhanded shot in the waning seconds of the middle frame fell short of the buzzer by one second.
Stranges still tossed the puck behind the Iowa netminder despite the blaring of the horn, which caused a major tiff at the end of the period from both sides.
Wild forward Bradley Marek, who went after Stranges after the late shot, was dinged with a roughing penalty. Stranges didn't get off scot free, picking up an unsportsmanlike call for his action as well.
Iowa forward Hunter Haight drew the first goal shortly after the Wild first power play opportunity of the night. Despite heading into the second intermission down by one, everything began to collapse in the final period, with Texas allowing three goals to seal the night for Iowa
“Unfortunately, they struck first,” Petersen said. “It kind of took momentum over, and then it just kept snowballing from there.”
Texas will face the Manitoba Moose for its final regular-season away series this weekend at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Tonight’s lines
Lind-Shalaine-Seminoff
Hanas-Becker-Hryckowian
Stranges-Scott-McKenzie
Ertel-Chisholm
Taylor-Krys
Karow-Minnetian
Bertucci-Looft
J. Poirier
R. Poirier
Injuries, scratches and notes
Martino (warmup)
Kolyachonok, McDonald, Anderson (scratch)
Tuomaala, Wheatcroft (injuried)
Tonight’s attendance was 5185
AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Iowa - April 8 2026
Hanas-Becker-Hryckowian
Stranges-Scott-McKenzie
Ertel-Chisholm
Taylor-Krys
Karow-Minnetian
Bertucci-Looft
J. Poirier
R. Poirier
Injuries, scratches and notes
Martino (warmup)
Kolyachonok, McDonald, Anderson (scratch)
Tuomaala, Wheatcroft (injuried)
Tonight’s attendance was 5185
AHL Gamesheet - Texas v. Iowa - April 8 2026
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