Texas Holds Off San Diego, Sweeps Series

The Texas Stars had just enough steam to out-last the San Diego Gull and take home the win by a final score of 4-to-3.  The Stars took both games of the mid-week series. 

“I really like the pace we came on with,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham. ” We were clean. We trusted our structure, and in turn we played pretty fast.”

Texas jumped to an early lead when Matel Blumel converted on a power play just five minutes into the contest.  Christina Kyrou doubled the lead less than 30 seconds later. 

The Star where 3-of-4 on power plays and held the Gulls to just one conversion on five attempts. 

The teams traded power play goals in the middle period.  San Diego’s Olen Zellweger converted on the man-advantage six minutes into the frame and Texas’ Oskar Back converted in the final two minutes of the period. 

The Star’s Kyrou scored his second goal of the contest on a power play eight minutes into the final frame.  The Gulls proceede to take control of the remainder of the game, finding the net twice off the sticks of Josh Lopina and Glenn Gawdin. 

The Stars bended, but did not break, as San Diego pulled their goaltender to ramp-up the pressure.  San Diego out-shot Texas 19-9 in the third period and 41-31 in the game. 

“We hit a fatigue wall,” said Graham. “They skated hard in the third, and they were able to make some plays towards our net. It wasn’t for a lack of focus or effort. I think we hit a little bit of a fatigue wall.”

Texas netminder Remi Poirier skated home with the win, making 38 saves on 41 shots-on-goal.  San Diego goalkeeper Alex Stalock endured the loss, allowing four goals on 31 shots.