Mascherin Nets Overtime Goal for 3-2 Win in Rockford
Dec 15, 2018|
Dahill Office Technology Corporation Three Stars: Shots: Goaltenders: |
ROCKFORD, Illinois – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, topped the Rockford IceHogs in overtime 3-2 at the BMO Harris Bank Center tonight. Adam Mascherin net the game-winning goal in the extra period to seal the win after the Stars fired a season high 52 shots on goal.
After a scoreless first period it was evident that goaltending would be a focus of the contest. Anton Forsberg faced 15 shots from Rockford while Philippe Desrosiers stopped all seven chances at his end of the ice as well. Forsberg set a season high with 49 saves in the game and Desrosiers 32 stops were also a season high.
Stars point leader Erik Condra added to his stats with a goal in the second period to open the scoring. The Texas alternate captain benefitted from quick passing by Justin Dowling and Travis Morin on the power play. The final pass came right to his stick in the slot for an uncontested shot. The 14th goal of Condra’s season rang off the cross bar and into the net at 3:45 of the middle period to put Texas on the board.
Texas maintained the lead all the way until the final four seconds of the period but could not hold it through the buzzer. Jordan Schroeder battled near the goal line to tie the game and pot the IceHogs power play goal.
The Stars would need to battle in the third period after an opportunity arose for Lucas Carlsson eight minutes into the final period. Desrosiers was tied up in the crease as the puck came to the high slot for the defenseman. His shot was launched inside of the left post and put Rockford ahead for the first time in the game.
With 52 shots in the game, the Stars continued to push the puck toward Forsberg in the third. Three minutes after Carlsson’s tally, Joel L’Esperance answered the bell for the Stars. The rookie notched his 14th goal of the season after walking away from the left corner and throwing a shot over the glove of the Rockford netminder. L’Esperance added to his AHL rookie leading goal total to tie the game and earn assists for Dillon Heatherington and Mascherin.
Texas forced overtime with the goal and skated into overtime, seeking their first win in the extra session. Nicholas Caamano drove hard to the net twice on the same shift over two minutes into overtime. His second chance forced a loose puck to sit near the goal line before Mascherin bat in the loose puck to end the game.
The Stars finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play and earned their seventh win in the last nine games. The team continues on the road and travel to Allstate Arena to face the Chicago Wolves at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.