Stars Blanked by San Diego, 4-0
Dec 29, 2016Boxscore
Photos
Postgame Video
Shots:
Stars - 22
Gulls - 26
Stars Suffer First Shutout Loss of the Season
CEDAR PARK, Texas -- The Texas Stars were unable to solve San Diego Gulls rookie netminder Kevin Boyle in a 4-0 loss on Thursday night at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Boyle, who has appeared in five games for the Gulls this season, earned his first career shutout and AHL win after stopping all 22 of the shots he faced from the Stars top-rated offense.
San Diego (12-11-2-1) snapped a seven-game losing streak with tonight’s victory over Texas (15-12-1-1).
“We were definitely aware that they were going to be desperate,” said Alternate Captain Brandon DeFazio. “[The media] asked me before the game, what we thought was going to happen, and I figured exactly what did happen would happen. We wanted to start better because we didn't start as well as we wanted to in San Antonio, and we didn’t. It’s got to be a focus.”
Defenseman Andy Welinski opened up scoring for the visiting team two minutes into the game with a one-timer from the point that snuck past a screened Landon Bow, who made his eighth consecutive appearance for the Stars.
Eight minutes later, Plano, Texas native Stefan Noesen jammed in his fourth goal of the season to give San Diego a 2-0 lead that would endure through the 10 minute mark of the third period when the Gulls would add to their lead.
Forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas capitalized on a penalty shot after the Stars were called for a minor hooking penalty at the 10:39 mark of the third period. Then, forward Kalle Kossila snapped a loose puck past Bow, who stopped 22 of 26 shots, to earn a final score of 4-0.
“For us, I’m not saying our effort wasn’t there, but it wasn’t direct enough,” said Laxdal. “We talked about a few things after the game that we need to address for Saturday night. It’s nice to have a day to work some kinks out, but we have to have a little bit more for our group. I expect that on Saturday night.”
The Stars will return to face San Diego for the third of four meetings this season on on New Year’s Eve at 7 p.m. at H-E-B Center to close out 2016.
| Three Stars: 1. Boyle (SD) 2. Welinski (SD) 3. Noesen (SD) |
Goaltenders: W - Boyle L - Bow |
Photo Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars