Stars Stopped by Wild in 2-1 Loss
Jan 9, 2015CEDAR PARK, Texas -- A 35-save performance by Johan Gustafsson was the difference on Friday night as the Texas Stars fell short to the Iowa Wild in a 2-1 loss at Cedar Park Center in front of 4,785 in attendance.
Derek Hulak extended his point streak to five games for the Stars with an assist. Jack Campbell stopped 19-of-21 shots in his first start since Dec. 21 at Hamilton and took the loss.
The Stars (15-12-8-0) continue their homestand Satuday when they host Toronto at 7 p.m.
Texas opened up the game's scoring with their only offense of the game. Greg Rallo slipped home a rebound from the left side of the crease at 5:56 of the first period. Hulak and Travis Morin tallied the assists as the veteran forward matched his scoring output from all of last season with his 10th of the year. The Stars controlled the majority of the play in the opening period, holding the Wild to one shot on net through the first 13 minutes of the contest, but Gustafsson weathered the storm to set up the Wild's opportunity for the road win.
Iowa (13-20-1-1) knotted the game at 5:38 of the second when a clearing attempt by Campbell was blocked along the boards and turned into a scrum in front of the net that Stu Bickel ultimately finished off for his first of the year.
In the third, the Wild converted an odd-man rush as Danny Syvret's one-timer from the slot set up a rebound chance which Brett Bulmer coverted at 11:28 for his second of the year and a 2-1 Iowa lead. Gustafsson shut the door the rest of the way when the Stars opted for the extra attacker in the final minute of regulation.
Texas finished 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Wild went 0-for-1.
Eric Faille made his Texas Stars debut after signing a tryout agreement with the club on Thursday. Morin registered a point for his second straight game after returning from an NHL call-up. Stars captain Maxime Fortunus appeared in his 800th career professional game, and Brendan Ranford appeared in his 100th contest.
Photo Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars
| Three Stars: 1. Johan Gustafsson (IA) 2. Derek Hulak (TEX) 3. Brett Bulmer (IA) |
Shots: Stars - 36 Wild - 21 |
Goaltenders: W - Gustafsson L - Campbell |