Third Period Surge Propels Texas to 4-2 Win
Dec 9, 2017|
Three Stars: Shots: Goaltenders: |
CEDAR PARK, Texas - Jason Dickinson and Samuel Laberge scored 25 seconds apart in the third to turn a one-goal deficit into a 4-2 win for the Texas Stars over the Ontario Reign on Saturday night in front of 5,857 in attendance at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Laberge's goal held up as the game-winner as Colin Markison's centering pass from the corner on an Ontario turnover set up the rookie forward for his second of the season. Moments prior, Dickinson backhanded home a rebound goal on the power play to knot the score at two. Dickinson added an empty-net tally for a two-goal night and 13 on the season to lead the Stars.
The Stars (16-9-0-1) host the Reign (9-10-0-1) again Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. CST.
Justin Dowling opened up the game's scoring, snapping a wrist shot from the slot past Ontario's Jack Campbell at 2:38 of the first on an early 5-on-3 power play for Texas. At one point Texas outshot the Reign 10-2 in a first period push before entering the break with the one-goal advantage.
Ontario responded in the second as Michael Mersch cashed in on a Reign power play by tapping in the puck from the the right of the goal crease with six minutes to play.
Twenty-two seconds into the third, Ontario jumped in front 2-1 with Austin Wagner’s wrist shot off the faceoff. Six minutes later is when Dickinson and Laberge tallied their quick-strike goals to give Texas the lead. Landon Bow shut the door the rest of the way for the Stars for his 10th win of the season and a 23-save night.
It was the Stars' 10th win in their last 13 games and their third straight. Campbell made 22 saves in the loss to his former team.
Texas finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Ontario went 1-for-4.
Photo Credit: Andy Nietupski