Tucson End Texas’ Win Streak

The Texas Stars (17-12-1-0) five-game win-streak ended as they fell to the Tucson Roadrunners (17-11-1-0) by a final score of 6-3.  Cameron Hebig led the Roadrunners a hat trick. 

“I think the key word is execution.  I think that, ultimately, the demise of our group today was our puck play,” said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham. 

The Stars started strong, grabbing the lead on Christian Kyrou’s goal in the third minute of play.  Tucson’s Kailer Yamamoto evened the score later in the period, but Curtis McKenzie’s power play goal gave the Stars the advantage going into the first intermission. 

The Roadrunners owned the middle period.  Curtis Douglas’ unassisted goal pulled Tucson even, and Hebig’s first goal gave the visitors a 3-2 lead. 

Texas skated onto the ice with vigor to start the final frame.  Cameron Hughes tied the game at three-all less then two minutes in.  The game looked to be headed into overtime until Hebig’s second goal at 17:30. The Roadrunners added two empty net goals off the sticks of Raty and Hebig. 

Tucson’s Matthew Villalta (10-9-1) earned the win, making 25 saves against 28 shots.  Texas’ Magnus Hellberg (14-5-1) skated home with the loss, allowing four goals on 30 shots. 

Graham put an optimistic spin on the team’s performance, saying, “Don’t take things out of perspective. We played good hockey.  All our players have played good hockey.  And now we had moments that weren’t good.  How do you respond.  That’s what I’m excited to see.”