Texas Battles Back, Sweeps Manitoba

It took the Texas Stars only 19 seconds midway through the first period to fall into a deep hole.  And it took them until very late in the final period to fight their way out.  But fight they did as they defeated the Manitoba Moose, 5-2. 

Manitoba’s Parker Ford and Ben King each found the back of the net less then 10 minutes into the game. The Moose must have payback on their minds after the raucous 5-2 defeat to the Stars the night before. 

But in this league the game is never over until the final buzzer. 

The tide began to turn with Antonio Stranges goal very late in middle frame. 

The momentum from the second period carried into the third with Lian Bichsel’s goal at 6:05 to tie the contest.  The game appeared to be headed to overtime until Kyle McDonald tallied the go-ahead goal with less than three and one-half minutes remaining in the game. 

Things really cratered for Manitoba as they pulled their goalkeeper in the final three minutes but Texas maintained their push.  Curtis McKenzie and Bichsell each scored empty net goals to insure the victory for the Stars. 

“They (Manitoba) came out with a good push.  You got to tip your hat to them, they came out hard.  We hung around,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham.  “Our guys dug in, they played the game the right way, we were rewarded at the end of the night.” 

Texas netminder Magnus Hellberg earned the win, making 29 saves on 31 shots.  Manitoba goalkeeper Thomas Milic skated home with the loss, allowing three goals against 22 shots. 

It was a big night for Alex Petrovic as he celebrated his 700th professional game with two assists. 

“It’s been a privilege to have worked with him.  He’s meant a lot to our organization at multiple levels,” said Graham of Petrovic.  “On and off the ice, he’s the consummate professional.  For me, I’m very lucky that I’ve gotten to know him.  I’ve got to work with him for four years, and he makes us better.”