McKenna, Stars Shut Out Admirals in Milwaukee, 1-0
Feb 17, 2018|
Three Stars: Shots: Goaltenders: |
MILWAUKEE - Sheldon Dries scored in the opening minutes of the game and the rest of the night belonged to Mike McKenna and the penalty-kill unit as the Texas Stars shut out the Milwaukee Admirals on the road in a 1-0 final at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Texas (26-18-5-2) killed off all five of Milwaukee's power plays and McKenna stopped all 28 shots he faced to earn his 27th career AHL shutout, placing him 10th all-time. Milwaukee (25-21-4-1) saw their five-game point streak come to an end in the loss.
The Stars continue their three-game road trip Sunday afternoon against the Iowa Wild at 3 p.m. CST.
Just over two minutes into the game, Matt Mangene's one-timer was turned aside on a stick save by Milwaukee's Ander Lindback, but deflected of the end boards and arched back over the net. Dries smacked the puck out of mid-air for his 10th of the season and the 1-0 lead for the Stars.
Gavin Bayreuther also assisted on the goal.
Both goaltenders were tested early in the game as McKenna denied a chance for Tyler Moy through the right circle on a rush through the right circle immediately after the Stars' goal. Lindback denied Colin Markison on a breakaway run midway through the first to keep it a one-goal game, and McKenna did the same to Harry Zolnierczyk moments later to keep his shutout in tact.
McKenna and the Stars defense held through the closing minutes of the third, including a penalty-kill effort on Milwaukee's fifth power-play chance of the game with 5:03 remaining in the contest.
Texas also held off a rush from the Admirals with the extra attacker on in the game's final 90 seconds to preserve their win.
Lindback stopped 19 of 20 shots in net in the loss.
Texas finished 0-for-3 on the power play.
Prior to the game, Texas recalled forward Samuel Laberge from the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads.
Photo Credit: Milwaukee Admirals