Stars Blow Out Rival San Antonio in 6-1 Win
Feb 10, 2015CEDAR PARK, Texas -- The offense erupted for the Texas Stars with a four-goal second period to highlight a 6-1 win over the division rival San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday night in front of 4,872 at Cedar Park Center.
Rookie Gemel Smith continued his hot play against the Rampage with two goals. Jamie Oleksiak led all skaters with three points (one goal, two assists), and Jussi Rynnas stopped 28 of 29 shots for his 14th win of the season. With the win, the Stars keep pace in the AHL's Western Conference playoff race, sitting one point back of the eighth spot (Adirondack, Hamilton) and two points back of sixth-place Grand Rapids. Texas went 3-for-6 on the power play in the win -- the first time since Oct. 29 against Oklahoma City they have scored three man-advantage goals.
The Stars begin their longest road trip of the season on Friday when they visit the Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. to kick off a six-game, 13-day trek away from home.
In a tightly played opening period, Cameron Gaunce put the Stars on the board late off a centering feed from Derek Hulak for his third of the season and a 1-0 Stars lead. Rynnas stopped all 14 shots by the Rampage, including a flurry in the final minute, to preserve the Texas lead and set up the Stars' second period fireworks.
Oleksiak buried a power play goal just 40 seconds into the middle period for his second of the season from the right side of the crease. Smith then struck his first of the night at 2:33 on a wrist shot after racing in through the left circle, and Texas had chased Rampage goaltender Dan Ellis with three goals on their first 15 shots of the game. After Michael Houser entered in relief, Texas continued to pour it on as Curtis McKenzie snapped home his sixth of the year from the right circle at 13:57 on the power play. Greg Rallo then finished off the outburst deflecting Derek Meech's point shot in for his 14th of the year with 1:20 remaining and a 5-0 Texas lead.
Shane O'Brien ended the scoreless drought for San Antonio at 12:27 with a power play goal. Smith added one more at 16:43 of the third to cap off the Stars special teams goals. The Stars rookie forward has scored six of his eight goals this season against San Antonio. Travis Morin registered a pair of assists for the Stars. 11 different players total tallied for points for Texas.
San Antonio finished 1-for-6 on the power play.
Photo Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars
| Three Stars: 1. Gemel Smith (TEX) 2. Jamie Oleksiak (TEX) 3. Jussi Rynnas (TEX) |
Shots: Stars - 31 Rampage - 29 |
Goaltenders: W - Rynnas L - Ellis |