Stars Finish Strong, Down IceHogs

The Texas Stars rallied with three unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Rockford IceHogs by a final score of 4-to-1.  The game was uncharacteristically emotional for Texas, owing to Rockford’s physical play and perceived uneven officiating. 

“It took all 60 (minutes) to get the goals.  I’m glad we stayed patient and poised.  Collected ourselves, a little bit, emotions were getting high in the second (period).  We just had to remember it was a 1-1 game, we were at home, lets focus on what matters most,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham.   

Play for both teams in the first period was lackluster.  The IceCats had difficulty getting a shot on goal for the first half of the frame, and the Stars struggled to convert their dominance into goals.  Matej Blumel broke the log jam for Texas with at 11:48 into the frame. 

Rockford skated on to the ice in the second period with a more aggressive demeanor.  This tilted the game in the IceHogs favor after their first power play in the third minute of
play.  The IceHogs controlled the period thereafter, resulting in Antti Saarela’s game-tying goal at 6:02.  The Stars appear to let their emotions get the better of them, resulting a total of four penalties.    

Commenting on the play, Graham said, “You get frustrated and things start to have a chance to spiral.  The power plays ended up being four to nothing for them.  And you feel you’re getting hit every time you touch the puck.  But you have to remember you’ll allowed to be hit.  It’s just the ones that a little bit cross the line, and you get frustrated and you just need to keep yourself even.  Whether a call went your way or not, just move on to the next play.  Easier said than done.” 

Texas regained their composure after the second intermission and took control.  Riley Damiani reclaimed the lead for Texas at 2:23, and Mavrik Bourque double the lead at 4:07. 

Texas fans expressed their displeasure with what appeared to be uneven penalty calling by the officials.  A warning was issued to the fans midway through the period for throwing objects on the ice.  The Stars were penalized for the repeated behavior after Curtis McKenzie’s goal at 15:37. 

“We have the best fans in the league.  We have very passionate fans, and we
appreciate and value them.  But it’s also important to keep in mind that the actions happens on the ice and needs to stay on the ice.  If that was a 2-1 game and they tied it, I don’t think anyone would have belt good about that,” said Graham, commenting on the object on ice penalty.  “We’ll take care of it, we’ll handle it, and we’ll keep playing.  We love the
enthusiasm and the passion, but we’ll keep playing on the ice, and we’ll keep playing
for your guys.  So just keep the coke bottles in your lap.” 

Texas’s Remi Poirier (11-4-2) earned the win, making 31 saves on 32 shots-on-goal.  Rockford’s Drew Commesso (6-8-2) went home with the loss, allowing four goals on 28
shots.