Stars Split Weekend Set with 5-2 Loss in Charlotte
Jan 4, 2015CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jyrki Jokipakka scored in his return from the NHL, but goaltender Drew MacIntyre was too much for the Texas Stars in a 5-2 loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The Stars (14-11-8-0) and Checkers (12-18-3-1) split a weekend set for the third time this season. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Stars, who close out their three-game road trip on Tuesday when they visit the Oklahoma City Barons.
After being reassigned by the Dallas Stars on Satuday, Jokipakka finished off a text book odd-man rush at 7:51 of the second period for his second of the season. Brendan Ranford and Derek Hulak tallied the assists as Ranford handed off the puck while crossing the offensive zone to set up the blueliner from the left circle. Drew MacIntyre returned to action for Charlotte after competing for Team Canada in the Spengler Cup to turn aside 26-of-28 Texas shots in the win.
Jokipakka's goal closed the Charlotte lead to 3-1. The Checkers opened up the game's scoring with a pair of first period goals from Justin Shugg at 6:52 and Keegan Lowe at 9:53.
Patrick Brown added another just 37 seconds into the second before Jokipakka's tally. Alex Aleardi struck again for Charlotte three minutes after Jokipakka to make it a 4-1 lead through the first 40 minutes of play.
With a late power play in the third, Texas opted for the extra attacker and the two-man advantage to try and close the gap, but Trevor Carrick lifted the puck the length of the ice for a shorthanded, empty-net goal with 6:54 remaining in regulation to make it 5-1. Derek Meech tallied the second shorthanded goal of the season for the Stars at 14:12 to make it a 5-2 score, but that was as close as Texas could manage things.
Jussi Rynnas took his first regulation loss since Halloween, stopping 20-of-24 shots through the first two periods. Jack Campbell came on in relief in the third, stopping all nine shots he faced.
Neither team tallied a power play goal as the Stars finished 0-for-4 and Charlotte went 0-for-3.
Photo Credit: Gregg Forwerck/Charlotte Checkers
| Three Stars: 1. Justin Shugg (CHA) 2. Keegan Lowe (CHA) 3. Alex Aleardi (CHA) |
Shots: Stars - 28 Checkers - 34 |
Goaltenders: W - MacIntyre L - Rynnas |