Bourque Leads Stars Over Moose, Game 1

Mavrik Bourque’s two goals and two assists lifted the Texas Stars over the Manitoba Moose by a final score of 6-3  in game one of the AHL Division First Round playoffs. 

“When you win that first game, its big,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham.  “We told our guy, let’s enjoy the next hour, then go home, take a couple breathes, then make sure our focus is on game two.”  

The decisive win was surprising, coming on the heels of a season ending series between the same teams that saw Manitoba take both games by a combined score of 12-to-4.

Commenting on that, Graham said, “we made several adjustments.  It’s important to keep your cards close to the vest when you play the same opponent in the final weekend of the year.” 

Both teams played a cautious first period, neither wanting to make a mistake that would tilt the game. Manitoba’s Daniel Torgersson broke the stalemate at 15:54.  Texas’ Bourque responded 37 second later to tie the game. 

“Regardless of who gets the first one (goal), it’s important to erase and reset, maintain that neutral mind set,” said Graham. 

The Stars owned the middle period, starting with Curtis McKenzie’s goal near the two-minute mark, followed by Michael Karow’s and Christina Kyrou’s goals around mid-period.  Mometum swung slightly in Manitoba’s favor on Nikita Chibrikov’s goal at 15:39. 

The teams skated into the final intermission with Texas leading, 4-to-2. 

Parker Ford pulled the Moose within one goal  at 6:19 of the final frame, but Bourque responded less than a minute later with his second goal of the contest. 

Manitoba pulled goaltender Thomas Milic with three and one-half minutes remaining in the game, hoping to close a two-goal difference.  But a tenacious Texas defense limited the Moose to three shots before Matej Blumel broke out for an empty net score at 19:11. 

Texas’ Remi Poirier earned the win, making 21 saves against 24 shots.  Milic went home with the loss, allowing five goals on 35 shots.