Heat Outlast Stars in 2-1 Goaltending Duel
Mar 11, 2016Boxscore
Shots:
Stars - 36
Heat - 37
McKenzie, Dowling Extend Point Streaks for Texas
STOCKTON, Calif. -- Goaltenders Maxime Lagace and Kevin Poulin traded saves throughout the night as Poulin was one save better to lead the Stockton Heat to a 2-1 lead over the Texas Stars on Friday night in front of 4,819 in attendance at Stockton Arena.
Both goaltenders finished with 35 saves, and had to make a variety of key stops in the third period. Poulin’s sliding save in the final minute turned away the Stars’ best chance to force overtime after pulling Lagace for the extra attacker. Curtis McKenzie (five games) and Justin Dowling (four games) each extended their point streak for the Stars (34-21-5-3) in the loss.
Texas will close out their season series against the Heat (25-24-1-2) Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CST.
Stockton’s Mitchell Heard scored the first period’s only goal on a rebound chance at 7:54 to open up the scoring, and Mason Raymond added a power play goal in the middle frame at 13:48 to make it a 2-0 deficit for the Stars.
Just 49 seconds into the third, Dowling shot a puck off the boards behind Poulin that took an awkward bounce in front and set up McKenzie for his 17th goal of the season. The rest of the game belonged to Poulin and Lagace, who kept the offense at bay and provided the tight finish. The two goaltenders combined for 28 saves on 29 shots in the third period of the contest.
Poulin picked up his 11th win of the year for the Heat, while Lagace suffered just his seventh loss in 27 appearances this season.
Texas finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Stockton finished 1-for-3.
The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars and currently in their seventh season at Cedar Park Center. Full season, 24-game and 12-game ticket packages for the 2015-16 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com.
| Three Stars: 1. Mason Raymond (STK) 2. Mitchell Heard (STK) 3. Kevin Poulin (STK) |
Goaltenders: W - Poulin L - Lagace |
Photo Credit: Stockton Heat