Stars Defeat Gulls in Series Opener

Feb 27, 2024

CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, defeated the San Diego Gulls 3-1 in a series opener on Tuesday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

 

Antonio Stranges put Texas on the board first 8:49 into the opening when he wristed a shot underneath Tomas Suchanek while cutting across the slot. The Stars carried the 1-0 advantage into the first intermission while also leading 9-7 in shots on goal.

 

The second period saw San Diego’s Nikita Nesterenko beat Matt Murray by making a move to his forehand on a breakaway at 4:26 to tie the game 1-1. Then at 13:05, Keaton Mastrodonato followed up on a rebound near the top of the crease to give Texas a 2-1 lead with his third goal of the season. After 40 minutes of action, the Stars led 2-1 while grasping an 18-13 lead in shots.

 

Mavrik Bourque iced the game by scoring an empty-net goal from Texas’ end of the ice with 20 seconds remaining in regulation to seal a 3-1 victory for the Stars.

 

Earning the win in goal, Murray improved to 12-10-2 on the season after turning aside 17 of the 18 shots he faced. Suchanek came down with the loss to fall to 11-4-3 after surrendering two goals on 30 shots.

 

Texas closes out the two-game series against San Diego with a 7:00 p.m. face-off on Wednesday at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

 

Photo Credit: Andy Nietupski / Texas Stars

 

Game Info	Shots	Goaltenders	3 Stars (Ubeo Business Services)
Boxscore	TEX: 31	W: Murray (TEX)	1: Stranges (TEX)
Photo	SD: 18	L: Suchanek (SD)	2: Mastrodonato (TEX)
Video			3: Murray (TEX)