Texas Takes Henderson in Physical Season Opener

Opening season hockey games are like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get.  Friday’s contest between the Texas Stars and the Henderson Silver Knights saw a physical, penalty-filled game with plenty of scoring.  In the end, Texas prevailed, 4-3. 

“It was obviously a pretty physical contest for 60 (minutes).  We go to make sure to address some of that discipline. But in the same breathe I’d rather guys stickup for each other,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham on the win. 

The opening period started slowly,  building up to a final two minutes that saw Texas’s Luke Krys and Alex Petrovic find the back of the net, giving the Stars momentum going into the middle frame. 

Surprisingly, it was the Silver Knights that got the jump in the second period with Jonas Rondbjerg goal just 20 second in.  Chase Wheatcroft’s goal for the Stars midway through the period returned Texas’ two-goal advantage. 

Discipline escaped both teams in the middle period, seeing a total of 11 penalties, including four for roughing. 

“You got to tip our hat to the penalty kill and our goaltender for allowing us to keep our head above water,”  said Graham.  “I think we saw more positives then negatives (with regards to penalty kills).”  

The final frame saw a power play goal by Matej Blumel, bookend by Henderson goals by Mitch McLane and Rondbjerg.  Rondbjerg goal was the second of the evening. 

Texas goaltender Magus Hellberg was very strong between the posts, facing down 37 of 40 shots on target to earn the win.  Henderson goalie Akira Schid took home the loss, allow four goals on 22 shots. 

Noteworthy was Justin Hryckowian’s two assists.  “Not only did he do a great job on the special teams, five-on-five he was a rock for us.  He got our player of the game for our group, for some of the intangibles, the block shots and some of the things he did for us,”  said Graham.