Texas Stars Reclaim Top Spot with Dominant Win Over Ontario Reign

The Texas Stars put on an impressive display Tuesday night at the H-E-B Center, securing a decisive 5-2 victory over the Ontario Reign and reclaiming the top spot in the Central Division.

The Stars wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Matej Blümel kicked things off on the power play 13:01 into the first period, one-timing a pass from Cameron Hughes past Reign goaltender Pheonix Copley. Jack Becker quickly extended Texas’s lead, burying a shot from the slot, assisted by Matthew Seminoff. With just 16 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Kyle Looft netted the eventual game-winner, capitalizing on a rebound off an Alex Petrovic shot that caromed off the post. Copley was pulled after the first period, having conceded three goals on 15 shots, with Jacob Ingham stepping in for the Reign.

The Reign mounted a comeback attempt in the second period, with Charles Hudon scoring twice to cut the Stars’ lead to one. Hudon first beat Remi Poirier on a rush and then added a power-play goal through traffic. Stars head coach Neil Graham acknowledged his team’s lapse, stating, “When you know a team is going to come that hard, there are ways to use aggressiveness or energy against your opponent, but we failed to execute on that part.”

However, Ontario’s rally fell short in the third period. Justin Hryckowian sealed the victory for Texas with an empty-net goal. Blümel was also awarded an empty-net goal after being slashed on a breakaway in the final minute, marking his sixth goal in the last three games and his 33rd of the season, tying him for the league lead.

Remi Poirier was stellar in net for the Stars, stopping 33 of 35 shots and earning his fourth win in his last four starts. Coach Graham praised Poirier’s crucial late-game saves, remarking, “Without those saves, we don’t get an opportunity at the empty nets. So you got to tip your hat to [Poirier]; he’s been excellent.” Ingham, in relief for the Reign, turned aside all 11 shots he faced.