Stars with Clutch OT Win

On the heels of a discouraging loss, the Texas Stars (13-11-1-0) sprung back to defeat the Grand Rapid Griffins (17-9-1-0), 3-2, in overtime.  Cameron Hughes scored the skate-off goal three minutes into the OT frame. 

“Great first period. On our heels in the second.  They came our hard, even when it was 2-0, they dictated the play.  I though our third was really good.  We were playing to win.  We played aggressively.  Our guys stayed with it and got the two points,”  said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham as he recapped the win. 

Texas’ Antonio Stranges opened the scoring midway through the opening period. 

“He’s (Stranges) been a testament of perseverance.  He’s grown each year,” said Graham.  “It’s always about getting better.  It doesn’t always happen like a light switch.  You got to stay with it.  And if you do things correctly, over time, you find your way.  Couldn’t be more proud of him”     

Matej Blumel gave the Stars a two-goal cushion halfway through the middle frame.  That cushion would not last the period as Sheldon Dries and Austin Watson each score.  The teams skated into the locker room for the final intermission with the game tied. 

Neither team scored in the final frame, forcing overtime. 

The Stars played very cautiously in OT, taking their time, watching for miscues by the Griffins.   Kyle Capobianco spied just such an opening to set up Hughes’ for the game-winner. 

“He (Capobianco) skated great.  He did great things on both sides of the puck.  Dynamic, but also shut plays down defensively.  We don’t win that game without the way he played today,”  said Graham.