Stars Power Play Goals Not Enough against Rampage
Nov 24, 2018CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, scored all three goals tonight on the power play at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park but fell 4-3 to the San Antonio Rampage in their second consecutive game. The Stars are now 2-2-0-0 against San Antonio this season in the head-to-head series with 10 more games remaining in the 2018-19 campaign. The Stars did donate approximately 1,500 stuffed toys to Operation Blue Santa thanks to the team’s Teddy Bear Toss.
The Rampage opened the first period with a good offensive surge with plenty of shots toward the net. Eventually one paid off after nine minute of scoreless hockey as Adam Muscil swatted in his own rebound at the top of the crease. The forward’s fourth goal of the season helped open the scoring for San Antonio.
Texas’ response came on the power play four minutes later. Erik Condra stood in front of the net and battled for the rebound. The initial shot from Ben Gleason came to the veterans stick to record his sixth goal of the year. Condra’s night would not be done there as he scored the lone third period tally.
The Rampage benefitted from a power play minutes later which led to an even strength goal by Nolan Stevens on the right side of the net. San Antonio battled for the full two minutes but scored the goal during 5-on-5 play to take the 2-1 lead into the dressing room.
Quickly the Stars scored in the second period to tie the game. Joel L’Esperance tapped the puck over to Justin Dowling who was all alone in front of the net. His hard snapshot was fired right into the top corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season. Dowling has scored four of his five goals this year against the Rampage.
Two back to back goals for the Rampage in the second period, including a power play tally for Austin Poganski helped push the game to a 4-2 advantage at the second intermission. Along with stellar goaltending from Ville Husso who made 40 saves for his second win of the season, the Rampage rode the lead into the third period.
Texas battled to tie the contest as Condra scored his second of the contest in the final seven minutes of the game, again on the power play. Texas finished the night 3-for-7 while the Rampage were 1-for-3 on the man advantage. Philippe Desrosiers left the net for an extra attacker but the comeback fell short for the Stars on home ice. The goaltender finished the night with 23 saves against the Rampage.
The teams will take the ice again on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at AT&T Center as Texas looks to get their third win of the season against San Antonio.
3 Stars presented by Dahill Office Technology Corporation
- Poganski (SA)
- E. Condra (TEX)
- J. L’Esperance (TEX)