Stars Collect First Home Win in Wild One

The Texas Stars unleashed six goals against the Milwaukee Admirals to win their first game on home ice this season.  Final score was 6-to-4. 

The game felt like a homecoming with four former Stars players and coaches on the ice for the Admirals. Head coach Karl Taylor, assistant coach Greg Rallo, and forwards Tye Felhaber and Denis Gurianov all worked for the Stars organization. 

Texas goalkeeper Matt Murray earned the win, making 30 saves against 34 shots.   Milwaukee netminder Troy Grosenick endured the loss, allowing five goals on 28 shots. 

The opening period saw five goals, two on power plays. 

Texas’ Logan Stankoven netted his 7th goal of the season just 59 seconds into the contest on a power play.  Milwaukee’s Anthony Angello evened the score at 3:23. Fredrik Karlstrom took the lead back for the Stars at 5:55 in the period.  Fedor Svechkov tied the game, again, for the Admirals near the midway point of the frame.  And Riley Damiani gave the Stars the lead going into the first intermission, also on a power play. 

The Stars were 2-for-5 on power plays, while Milwaukee was unsuccessful on three man-advantage attempts. 

Chase Wheatcroft gave the Stars a two-goal advantage early in the second frame.  The goal was Wheatcroft’s first in the AHL.  The Admirals fought back with goals by Kevin Gravel and Cal O”Reilly to end the second period at 4-all. 

Wheatcroft gave the Stars the go-ahead goal just two minutes into the frame.  And Karlstrom iced the game with an empty net goal in the final minute of play.  It was the second goal of the evening for both player.  Milwaukee fought hard, out-shooting Texas 17-to-8 in the final frame, but were unable to find the back of the net.  

When the frost settled on the ice, Texas goalkeeper Matt Murray earned the win, making 30 saves against 34 shots.   Milwaukee netminder Troy Grosenick endured the loss, allowing five goals on 28 shots. 

“We collected ourselves, got through the period, I thought we came back with purpose in our game,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham.  “In a tight game like that is a good moment for us.”