Stars Fall to Griffins in 6-4 Heartbreaker

Oct 26, 2019

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, dropped a 6-4 decision to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. Texas held a lead until late in the period, when Grand Rapids rallied to collect their first win against the Stars this year.

 

Texas dominated Grand Rapids in the first period as they opened scoring just two minutes into the game. Emil Djuse tallied his first AHL goal with a blast from the blue line. Later that period, Brad McClure kept the Stars power play hot as he notched the team’s second goal on the man advantage in as many days. The forward received a perfect pass from Nick Caamano and fired a laser past Filip Larsson. Sixteen seconds later, Gardner buried his second goal of the season as he carried the puck down the right side and tucked it in the left corner to extend the advantage to 3-0.

 

However, with less than a minute left in the period, Dominic Turgeon got Grand Rapids on the board. The Griffins continued to pressure the Stars, coming out of the first intermission hot. Fifty-four seconds into the frame, Oliwer Kaski brought Grand Rapids within one goal at a 3-2 score. Texas answered back with a goal of their own, again on the power play. With only 35 seconds remaining on the man advantage, Djuse made a cross-ice pass to Tanner Kero who entered the zone against one Griffins defender. Kero then passed the puck back to Jason Robertson. The forward then went five-hole on Larsson to put Texas back on top with a two-goal lead.

 

Grand Rapids continued to battle in front of the Stars net firing off many shots late in the second period. Bow made a series of saves on a broken play, but the Griffins took advantage of the opportunity as Gregor MacLeod took the puck up and over the pad of Landon Bow for their third goal of the night.

 

The Griffins completed a late comeback in the third to fuel a victory. With six minutes remaining in the game, Ryan Kuffner put the equalizer past Bow. Moments later, Caamano was sent to the box for goaltender interference call. The Griffins finally converted on their fifth power play of the night as Chris Terry notched the go-ahead goal. Additionally, Texas posted their most successful night on the power play so far this season as they converted on two of their three chances.

 

In an attempt to piece together a comeback, Texas opted for an empty net to gain an extra attacker. After a set of chances in the Stars offensive zone, the Griffins gained control once again and slid the puck down for the empty-net goal to cap the 6-4 final. In the win, Larsson stopped 22 of the Stars 26 shots. Bow suffered the loss after stopping 32 of the Griffins 38 shots.

 

The Texas Stars return to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Tuesday to face the Milwaukee Admirals on Tuesday night, Oct. 29, 2019, at 7 p.m. Texas fell in the shootout 2-1 to the Admirals and seek revenge in their second of eight meetings this season.

 

Written by Stevie Golding
Photo Credit: Grand Rapids Griffins
 

Game Info	Shots	Goaltenders	3 Stars (Xerox Business Solutions Southwest)
Boxscore	TEX: 26	W: Filip Larsson (GR)	1: Chris Terry (GR)
Photo	GR: 38	L: Landon Bow (TEX)	2: Ryan Kuffner (GR)
Video			3: Emil Djuse (TEX)