Stars Overcome Moose Comeback with 5-4 Overtime Win
Mar 15, 2019|
Dahill Office Technology Corporation Three Stars: Shots: Goaltenders: |
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, required overtime to top the Manitoba Moose tonight after holding a 4-1 lead entering the third period. The Moose rallied for three third period goals but it was the Stars who had the last laugh as Michael Mersch net the game winner in the extra period for the Stars 31st win of the year.
The win helps Texas hold onto fourth place in the Central Division. However, victories by Rockford and the additional point earned by Manitoba bring three teams into a tie for fifth place just three points behind the Stars.
In overtime, Mersch was fed by defenseman Shane Hanna who cut across the blue line to find the winger at the right circle. Mersch walked in to send a wrist shot past netminder Mikhail Berdin in net for his goal of the season and the Stars third overtime win of the campaign. Texas scored the goal at 4-on-4 play after completing a power play for the first minute and a half of the extra session and continuing to hold control of the puck.
The Stars opened the game on fire, scoring three goals in the first period. Travis Morin deflected a pass from Erik Condra, sending his eighth goal into the net just off the right post of Moose starting goaltender Eric Comrie. Following the opening goal just under nine minutes into the game, Tony Calderone would add a second for the Stars. During a 2-on-1 Colin Markison sent a pass to the top of the crease, hitting Calderone in the legs to redirect his fifth of the season into the net. Condra capped off the period, scoring the Stars second shorthanded goal of the year on a breakaway with 1:27 remaining. After the period, Berdin took over for the Moose in goal as Comrie ended his night with seven saves.
The Moose generated one goal in the second period from Logan Shaw capitalizing on the power play with a little more than five minutes to play in the second frame. Shaws 24th of the year and fifth goal against Texas leads the Moose. Another high powered scorer responded for Texas, as Denis Gurianov notched his 18th of the season before the end of the period. Helping the Stars to a 2-for-5 effort in the game, the Russian was set up by Joel Hanley for a one-timer at the right circle, ringing the post past Berdin’s blocker. Hanley’s two assist night gives him five points (2-3=5) in a four-game point streak while Gurianov has scored four goals in his last six games.
Manitoba entered the third period with a newfound vigor, scoring three goals in less than five minutes. After a Tucker Poolman goal was disallowed, Mason Appleton began the charge with his 10th of the season, sending a turnaround shot into the top left corner of the net. Marko Dano notched his second power play goal in as many games to bring his club within one goal at 8:31 before Jimmy Oligny tied the contest with his second of the season at 11:12. The Moose finished the night 2-for-6 on the power play to help generate a point in the standings by forcing overtime.
Stars goaltender Philippe Desrosiers faced a heavy amount of shots in the third period, making a game high 19 saves in the final frame alone. His seventh win of the year featured 38 saves while Berdin, who entered the game in relief, was saddled with the overtime loss on 21 saves. Comrie earned no decision in the game.
Photo Credit: Manitoba Moose