Stars Close Out Road Trip with a 3-2 Overtime Loss to Barons
Feb 24, 2015OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Andrew Miller's wrist shot from the left circle snuck past Jussi Rynnas in overtime as the Oklahoma City Barons topped the Texas Stars in a 3-2 final on Tuesday night at Cox Convention Center, and brought a possible end to the West Division rivalry as the Barons will relocate to the AHL's Pacific Division next season.
Miller's goal provided the Barons (33-14-3-3) with their league-leading 13th overtime win of the season. Julius Honka tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Stars (25-17-11-1). Rynnas took the loss stopping 27 of 30 shots in net.
The Stars begin a season-long seven-game homestand on Friday against Rockford at 7:30 p.m.
Texas wasted little time to open up the scoring as Eric Faille scored for the second straight game on a breakaway to cap off a stretch pass through the neutral zone from Scott Valentine just 1:39 into the contest.
Honka picked up the second assist on the goal, and then added one of his own at 9:33 of the second when his slap shot across the blue line beat Laurent Brossoit for his sixth of the year. Brossoit would be perfect in net for the remainder of the game to earn the win and finished with 22 saves for the Barons. Brandon Davidson start the Oklahoma City comeback with just over a minute remaining in the middle period off a slap shot from the slot.
The offense remained quiet between both teams until the Barons took advantage of their sixth power play chance of the night late in the third, and Jason William buried his 16th of the year with 3:45 to play in regulation. Miller's game-winner ended the fifth overtime matchup between the Stars and Barons this season. Seven of the 12 total matchups were decided by just a goal.
Texas finished 0-for-4 on the power play while the Barons went 1-for-6. It was the second time in the last 19 road games the Stars had given up a power play goal. There is a chance the two rivals could meet in a playoff series later this year.
Photo Credit: Steven Christy
| Three Stars: 1. Andrew Miller (OKC) 2. Julius Honka (TEX) 3. Brandon Davidson (OKC) |
Shots: Stars - 24 Barons - 30 |
Goaltenders: W - Brossoit L - Rynnas |