Stars Respond with 2-1 Win Over Rival Rampage
Dec 21, 2016
Boxscore
Photos
Postgame Video
Shots:
Stars - 33
Rampage - 31
Landon Bow Stops 30 of 31 Shots in Net for Texas
CEDAR PARK, Texas -- The Texas Stars utilized a much-improved defense to close out their five-game home stand with a 2-1 win over the San Antonio Rampage on Wednesday night at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Defenseman Nick Ebert opened up scoring for the home team after he carried the puck through the offensive zone and blasted a shot past San Antonio netminder Jeremy Smith and snapped a personal 11-game goal drought in the process.
“I’m glad that we came out with a good effort, and I think everyone is happy with that,” said Ebert. “It’s a win, and it’s a good step back to where we need to be.”
Forward JT Compher scored the lone goal for the Rampage in one of the lowest-scoring affairs Texas and San Antonio, who have a combined average of 6.88 goals per game over the course of their last 17 games, have seen since the start of the 2015-16 season.
Compher’s wrister was the only shot that would make it’s way past rookie goaltender Landon Bow, who stopped 30 of 31 shots to improve his overall record to 3-1-0 and made his fifth straight appearance since being recalled by the Stars on Nov. 27.
“[Tonight’s game] was huge for [Bow],” said Ebert. “It was a huge bounce back game for him as well. He’s a young guy and he's new to the League. When you see him bounce back like that, you know what type of character he has, and that’s really awesome for him.”
Forward Gemel Smith found the back of the net, with what would become the game-winning goal, during a 5-on-3 Stars power play with 13 second left in the middle frame, and Brandon DeFazio added two assists on the night.
However, the Stars defense added a much-needed boost to the club as they successfully killed off all four penalties, including a five-on-three that came late in the third.
“We challenged our group on being better defensively, and I thought we answered the call when called upon, with the penalty kills and the five-on-three kill,” said Head Coach Derek Laxdal. “Then, late in the game, they got a push on us, and I thought we defended it really well and didn't give up a lot. The guys responded.”
The Stars victory was their third straight over the Rampage. The two Texan rivals will square off again tomorrow night in San Antonio at 7 p.m. CST to conclude a home-and-home holiday series.
| Three Stars: 1. DeFazio (TEX) 2. Ebert (TEX) 3. Bow (TEX) |
Goaltenders: W - Bow L - Smith |
Photo Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars