SECOND PERIOD SURGE LEADS AMERICANS PAST STARS 9-4
Feb 10, 2012Texas Continues Road Trip In Hamilton on Sunday, February 12th at 2:00 P.M.
Rochester, NY - The Texas Stars (21-23-2-2, 46 points) were defeated by the Rochester Americans (22-18-6-3, 53 points) 9-4 in front of 5,675 fans at the Blue Cross Arena on Friday night. The Americans scored five times in the second period en route to a home victory over the Stars. Eight different Rochester skaters picked up a multi-point night in the win, led by Zack Kassian and Travis Turnbull, who both netted a pair of goals. Turnbull finished with a game-high three points and linemate Corey Tropp also picked up three points (all assists). Texas forward Mike Hedden scored once and added two assists for his first three-point night in the AHL. Rookie Matt Fraser, center Travis Morin and center Mathieu Tousignant also scored in the defeat. Rochester goalie Drew MacIntyre (8-11-2) got the win with 24 saves. Texas goalie Andrew Raycroft (7-7-1) suffered the loss, stopping 13 of 19 shots before he was pulled at 12:30 of the second period in favor of Tyler Beskorwany. The Stars travel to Hamilton to take on the Bulldogs on Sunday, February 12th at 2:00 p.m. (CT).
Rochester claimed a 1-0 lead by opening the scoring at 11:13 of the first period. Left wing Zack Kassian snapped a wrist shot from the left-wing Texas circle, beating Stars goalie Andrew Raycroft for the games first goal. Kassian’s 14th goal of the season was assisted by defenseman Brayden McNabb for the 1-0 lead. Rochester increased its lead to 2-0 at 16:40 off a deflection by right wing Maxime Legault. Defenseman Shaone Morrison sent a point-shot to the Texas net and Legault tipped in his fifth goal of the season for the two-goal lead.
In the second period, Texas charged out of the gates, striking for a pair of goals in the first three minutes. Rookie Matt Fraser opened the team’s scoring with a power-play goal at 2:05 of the period. Forwards Mike Hedden and Ryan Garbutt each had an assist on Fraser’s 22nd goal of the year. The Stars tied the game 2-2 just 59-seconds later. Winger Mike Hedden blasted a slapshot from the high-slot, beating Drew MacIntyre for his seventh goal of the year. Defensemen Dan Spang and Jace Coyle each had an assist on the play. Rochester countered by scoring five times prior to the end of the middle stanza. Mark Voakes tipped in a rebound at 3:51 of the period, giving the Amerks a 3-2 lead. Forward Derek Whitmore connected for his team-leading 18th of the season, a power-play goal at 8:56 that made it 4-2 Rochester. The Amerks scored their second power-play goal of the evening at 11:17. Forward Paul Szczechura tallied his tenth goal of the year for a 5-2 lead. Right wing Jonathan Parker tallied his third goal of the season at 12:30, making it a 6-2 game in favor of the home team. His goal ended Andrew Raycroft’s night, as he was pulled after making 13 saves on 19 shots. The Amerks closed out the second period with a shorthanded goal by Kassian, his second goal of the night, making it 7-2 after two periods of play.
In the third period, Texas trimmed the Rochester lead to 7-3 off Mathieu Tousignant’s second goal of the season at 2:01 of the period. The Amerks answered back at 5:41 on Travis Turnbull’s first goal of the night, giving Rochester an 8-3 lead. The Stars countered with a power-play goal at 13:59 of the third period. Texas center Travis Morin tipped a Jordie Benn shot, scoring his eighth goal of the year and cutting the home team’s lead to 8-4. Rochester closed out the scoring with Turnbull netting his tenth goal of the season at 14:11 for the 9-4 final.
The Stars continue a three-game road trip on Sunday, February 12th at 2:00 PM (CT) in Hamilton against the Bulldogs. The team will conclude the road swing with a visit to the Lake Erie Monsters on Wednesday, February 15th at 9:45 a.m (CT). Texas returns home on Friday, February 17th for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff against the San Antonio Rampage, presented by Farmers Insurance. Friday’s game is a 3-2-1 night featuring $3 domestic drafts, $2 sodas and $1 hot dogs.. The Stars will take on the Rampage again on Saturday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m, presented by the Texas Lottery Commission. The first 2,500 fans to the game will receive a team poster, compliments of ABC Home and Commercial Services. Saturday is also a State Farm Family Four Pack night consisting of four tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs for $48.
Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available online at www.TexasStarsHockey.com or by calling 512.GO.STARS (467.8277).
2011-12 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.
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