Ranford Lifts Texas to 3-2 Overtime Victory in OKC
Apr 26, 2014OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The American Hockey League MVP Travis Morin scored twice and rookie left wing Brendan Ranford scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Texas Stars beat the Oklahoma City Barons 3-2 victory over Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the 2014 Western Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday night at Cox Convention Center.
The Barons opened up the scoring at 5:40 of the first period with goal by Roman Horak. Oklahoma City captain Anton Lander forced a turnover and sent a long pass through center ice, splitting the Stars defense and finding an open Horak for the breakaway and he lifted his shot quickly over the blocker of goaltender Jack Campbell and into the top left corner of the net.
The scored remained 1-0 Barons until late in the second period. With just 18 seconds left in the frame, and two seconds into a Texas power play, Stars center Travis Morin would tie the game at one with an unassisted goal. Morin won the faceoff forward, collected the puck and snapped his shot into the top right corner of the net, beating Barons goaltender Richard Bachman glove side to the near post.
Oklahoma City struck again at 11:57 of the final period with rookie Jujhar Khaira taking a wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle, lifting the puck over the shoulder of Campbell for a 2-1 lead. With just over a minute left in regulation, during a four-on-four situation, the Stars pulled Campbell for an extra attacker. Morin would take advantage of the extra skater taking a cross-ice feed from Justin Dowling at the left side of the crease and slamming it home at with just 39.8 seconds left in regulation, sending the game into overtime.
After 15 minutes of nerve-wracking action, rookie left wing Brendan Ranford took a pass from fellow rookie Branden Troock and ended the game. Ranford wrapped the puck around the back of the net and jammed it in between the right post and Bachman’s left skate at 15:05 to give the Stars a 3-2 victory over the Barons and a 2-0 series lead. Troock’s assist on the game-winning goal was his first career pro point.
Jack Campbell (1-0) finished with 38 saves on 40 shots to earn the win in goal Texas in his first career pro playoff game. Richard Bachman (0-2) stopped 36-of-39 shots faced and took the loss in net for Oklahoma City. The Barons out-shot the Stars 40-39 and went 0-for-2 on the power play. Texas was 1-for-3 on the man advantage.
The series will now move to Cedar Park Center Wednesday April 30th as the Stars and Barons square off for game 3 of the Western Conference Playoffs Wednesday April 30th for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. Wednesday’s game is H-E-B Night and Texas Lottery Lucky Row Night. Texas Stars’ 2014 Calder Cup playoff single game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now! Reserve your seats for all Calder Cup playoff games at Cedar Park Center at a discounted rate. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.