Eagles Come from Behind, Top Stars in OT

The Texas Stars out-lasted the Colorado Eagles for the first 20 minutes, but couldn’t hang-on for an entire game.  The Stars (8-4-1-0) fell to the Eagles (5-6-2-0), 5-4, in overtime. 

The first period was explosive with 7 goals scored in 9 minutes.  Anthony Louis opened the scoring for the Texas, followed by 3 goals in 3 minutes from Nick Henry, Jean-Luc Foudy and Shane Bowers for the Eagles.  Adam Mascherin added his 7th and 8th goals of the season for the Stars.  Louis closed out the scoring in the period on a power play goal for Texas.  The Stars took a 4-3 lead into the locker room. 

The second period, and all but 11 seconds of the third, were evenly matched with no scoring. 

Colorado took control of the game in the closing seconds of the final fame when Jean-Luc Foudy broke free and drove the puck past Texas goalie Tomas Sholl.  The goal tied the game and force overtime.  The Eagles’ momentum carried into the 5-minute overtime period, capped by a breakaway goal by Jean-Luc Foudy at 2:01. 

“If you look at 60 minutes, big picture, I thought we were a pretty good hockey team tonight,” said Texas Star head coach Neil Graham.   “You finish that final 11 seconds, that’s a good win.  Obviously, it didn’t happen that way which makes that loss that much tougher.” 

When asked about the team difficulties on defense, Graham responded, “When we got standing still in open ice with the puck, time and space are closing down on you.  You have to keep moving your feet.” 

Graham spoke very highly of 19-year-old AHL rookie Thomas Harley (defense).  “He’s a heck of a hockey player.  His ability to see the ice, his ability to skate and make decisions while moving full speed are exceptional…. We’ve been pleased to be able to work with him and I think he’s done a real nice job.” 

Colorado goaltender Adam Werner (2-2-0-0) earned the win, making 29 saves on 29 shots.  Texas net minder Tomas Sholl (4-1-1-0) endured the loss, allowing 5 goals on 26 shots.