Stars Begin Road Trip with 2-1 Overtime Win
Feb 19, 2019|
Dahill Office Technology Corporation Three Stars: Shots: Goaltenders: |
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, completed a 2-1 road win in overtime against the Iowa Wild after a goaltending duel between Philippe Desrosiers and Kaapo Kahkonen yielded just two power play goals in regulation. Brad McClure ended the game in the extra period, scoring his first AHL goal to collect two points in the Central Division for his club.
The Stars and Wild sped up and down the ice in the first period, with netminders trading saves in the first 20 minutes. Iowa came close, hitting the post twice but were unable to net the opening goal. On the Stars second power play of the game, Justin Dowling connected with the back of the net on a hard wrist shot from the left circle. The Texas captain scored his 11th of the year and net a goal in back to back games for the second time this season to put Texas up 1-0 with 26 seconds remaining in the opening period.
After the first intermission, the Wild would get their first chance on the power play and capitalized. Matt Read skated into the offensive zone and was checked by two Stars defenders. The puck rolled away from his stick into the high slot where Kyle Rau galloped to the front of the net untouched. The Iowa winger tapped it five-hole on Desrosiers to even the score with his 15th of the season.
From there, the goaltenders were flawless. Each chance for the Stars or Wild were met by leather and the occasional sprawling save to help keep the score even. In the third period, Desrosiers made 19 saves while Kahkonen stopped 15 Texas shots, forcing the contest beyond the allotted 60 minutes.
The Stars entered just their seventh overtime game this season, the fewest by any team in the AHL while the Wild entered their league high 20th extra period game. Travis Morin helped give McClure separation at center ice before the rookie winger broke into the zone. Kahkonen made the initial save on the Stratford, Ontario native, but the rebound came right back to him before burying the puck on an empty net.
The Texas win pulls them ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals for fifth place in the Central Division. Texas ended the night 1-for-5 on the power play and halted 3-of-4 Wild chances on the man advantage. Texas is now 5-0-0-1 against the Wild this season with two more games left to play at Wells Fargo Arena this year.
Photo Credit: Iowa Wild