Stars Take 2-0 Series Lead with More Overtime Heroics
May 19, 2018|
Three Stars: Shots: Goaltenders: |
CEDAR PARK, Texas - In their 34th overtime game of the season, and sixth of the playoffs, the Texas Stars won their sixth straight playoff game in a 3-2 final over the Rockford IceHogs in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday night in front of 5,938 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Curtis McKenzie stuffed home a rebound chance midway through the first overtime to give Texas (9-2) a 2-0 series lead over the IceHogs (7-2) with the series shifting to Rockford for Tuesday's Game 3.
McKenzie's overtime-winner was his fourth of the playoffs, and his third game-winner, as Texas improved their record to 5-1 in playoff overtime games this season.
Mike McKenna earned the win with 24 saves. Collin Delia suffered the loss with 34 stops.
The IceHogs seized early momentum with the only goal of the first period when John Hayden banged home a loose puck in front six minutes into the game for his second of the playoffs.
Jason Dickinson responded for Texas with his second of the playoffs on a wrist shot from the right circle 2:45 into the second from Matt Mangene's crossing feed. Four minutes later, Brent Regner buried a power-play goal from the point for his first of the postseason and a 2-1 Texas lead, but Rockford's Chris DiDomenico scored a man-advantage goal of his own midway through the frame to tie things up.
Texas finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Rockford was 1-for-5.
Photo Credit: Derek Sparta/Texas Stars