Late Power Play Goal Dims Stars

The Rockford IceHogs (5-5-0-1) defeated the Texas Stars (6-4-2-1) by a score of 5-to-4 in a back-and-forth contest that turned on a power play goal late in the contest.  The IceHogs were led by David Gust with two goals and an assist. 

Both of Gust’s goals came in the opening period, the first at 1:19 and the second at 8:37. Tanner Kero (4:49) found the back of the net for Texas between Gust’s bookend goals.  The IceHogs took a 2-to-1 lead into the locker room at the end of the first period. 

Kero scored again in the opening minute of the second frame to tie the score.  Riley Tufte gave the Stars their only lead of the game less than a minute later.  Rockford took control of the scoring in the remainder of the period on goals by Bobby Lynch (13:30) and Isaak Phillips (19:22).  The IceHogs lead 4-to-3 at the end of the middle period. 

Power play goals controlled the outcome of the third period.  The first goal coming off the stick of Riley Damiani (3:00) with one second remaining in the man-advantage.  Texas successfully executed two penalty kills, but it took Rockford’s Luke Philip only 23 seconds to cover Damiani’s high sticking penalty into the game-winning goal (16:18). 

Rockford goaltender Jaxson Stauber earned the win, making 42 saves against 46 shots.  Texas netminder Matt Murray endured the loss, allowing 5 goals on 38 shots.